The purpose of the BIG program is to foster the growth of the bioscience industry in the state. Applicants applying should focus on one or more of the following areas:

  • Supporting biotechnology innovation and commercialization in areas including:
    • Crop genetics;
    • Biofuels;
    • Biomaterials;
    • Biosensors and biotechnology in relation to food, nutrition, animals, humans, equipment, medical and health products and services;
    • Medical diagnostics;
    • Medical therapeutics; and
    • Farm-based pharmaceuticals;
  • Promoting the creation of bioscience jobs in the state to be filled by graduates from institutions under the control of the state board of higher education;
  • Encouraging the development of new bioscience technologies and bioscience startup companies in the state;
  • Leveraging the agriculture industry in the state to support the development of bioscience technologies impacting livestock operations and crop production;
  • Promoting bioscience research and development at institutions under the control of the state board of higher education;
  • Encouraging coordination and collaboration among other entities and programs in the state to promote bioscience innovation goals.

All applicants must meet the following requirements to be considered eligible to apply:

  • Employ at least two employees
  • Have documented sales of less than $2,500,000; and
  • Be a corporation, partnership, limited liability company, limited partnership, or limited liability partnership registered in North Dakota

Funding cannot be used for:

  • Capital improvements
  • Academic programming or curriculum
  • Workforce training

All budget revisions must be requested via email.

 

Submitting Applications

(application available under Related Resources on this page)

A complete application must contain all information requested and have original signature of the applicant.
The completed application must be submitted on or before the deadline of 4 pm CDT, Friday, July 30, 2021, to:
North Dakota Department of Agriculture
Bioscience Innovation Grant
600 E Boulevard Ave Dept 602
Bismarck  ND 58505-0020
 
Applications may be submitted electronically but must be signed. Send electronic submissions to Bradley Dean at bdean@nd.gov.

Bioscience Innovation Grant Program (BIG) Contacts

John Schneider

Business, Marketing & Information Division Director
600 East Boulevard Ave. Dept. 602 Bismarck, ND 58505
701-319-6958 jfschneider@nd.gov

Bradley Dean

APUC Executive Director / Ag Development Specialist
600 E. Boulevard Ave., Dept. 602 Bismarck, ND 58505
701-955-0181 bdean@nd.gov