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.