Nebraska Academic Research and Development Grants (US)

The program offers Nebraska businesses a matching competitive grant for research and development activities done in conjunction with a Nebraska college or university.

The research and development must be directed toward the commercialization of new products; modification of existing products that lead to substantially improved marketability; or the improvement of existing processes that may provide a new source of revenue to Nebraska business.

Funding Information

• Phase I R&D awards are capped at $100,000.
• Phase II R&D awards are capped at $400,000. Businesses are eligible to apply for Phase II awards if they have successfully completed a Phase I award as determined by the Department.
• DED will not grant more than two awards in any four-year period per project.
• R&D Grant funding must be matched at 100% (1:1) of the requested grant amount with eligible matching funds. R&D Grant funding for Value-Added Agriculture projects must be matched at 25% (4:1) of the requested grant amount with eligible matching funds. Please discuss project details with DED staff to determine if the project meets the Value-Added Agriculture category requirements.
• Generally, each phase will be completed within 24 months of award.

Eligible Matching Funds

• Eligible matching funds include any non-state source including private foundations, federal or local governments, quasi-governmental entities, commercial lending institutions, investors, or other sources provided they are not using funds appropriated by the Nebraska Legislature.

Eligibility Criteria

• Any for-profit business that has physical operations facilities in Nebraska may be considered for Academic R&D funding.

For more information, visit DED.