Wichita scientists trying to reinvent medical implants worldwide have applied for a $15 million grant from federal stimulus money to build their research building, a move they say will create hundreds of construction jobs locally.

The city of Wichita has donated 43 acres of land worth $1.2 million for the scientists, who hope to build a 50,000-square-foot research structure next door to the National Center for Aviation Training, now being built near Jabara Airport.

Paul Wooley and other scientists from the Center of Innovation for Biomaterials in Orthopaedic Research hope to hear from federal officials in February whether they will get the money, said CIBOR's interim director, John Moore. Construction could begin within six months if the grant is approved.

Moore said John Tomblin, executive director of Wichita State University's National Institute for Aviation Research, found out the government was providing money for research buildings.

"One of the beauties of working at NIAR is that you can spot a federal opportunity like this, and this one was really interesting," Tomblin said. "Rarely does a federal opportunity come along to build a building."

CIBOR is already up and running, with five labs operating in temporary locations all over Wichita, including at Via Christi Regional Medical Center-St. Francis Campus, at NIAR and at WSU.