First, they admired the fruits of last year’s investment, gazing at bright yellow cars zipping around a tiny racetrack designed to rehabilitate children with cerebral palsy.

Only then, after David A. Durfee, chief scientist at Bay Computer Associates Inc., had parked the racecars, did the Rhode Island Science and Technology Advisory Council announce the recipients of this year’s research grants, saying they hoped the financing would spur similar projects... 

...In all, the [Rhode Island Science and Technology Advisory] council selected 9 of 49 applications for this year’s Rhode Island Research Alliance Collaborative Grants. The projects involve 24 scientists at 14 organizations and include a range of topics, from improved methods for diagnosing anemia to techniques for police to analyze low-quality video images...

...But the program, financed annually by the General Assembly, could come under new scrutiny as lawmakers struggle to avert a $450-million deficit for the fiscal year that begins July 1. To help close a $150-million gap in the current-year budget, Governor Carcieri has asked the council to refund $40,000 of this year’s appropriation...

...“We are very sensitive to the financial state of Rhode Island,” said council member Jeffrey R. Seemann, dean of the College of Environment and Life Sciences at the University of Rhode Island. “Even in these very difficult financial times,” he said, “investments for the long term have to be made if we’re to transform our economy.”...

Among the grants:

Researchers from Brown and the state police received $118,773 for efforts to help police identify suspects in low-quality video recordings.

Researchers from Brown and Bionica received $200,000 for the development of a new type of hearing aid.