The EDRF, established in HB 1003 by the North Dakota Legislature in 2023, aims to ensure that the state economy generates additional revenue streams to stimulate economic growth in the state by innovating new technology, ideas and products; to promote job creation and career and wage growth; to enhance health care outcomes; to address loss of revenue and jobs in communities with economies that depend primarily on the fossil fuel industry; and to provide experiential learning opportunities for students.

NDSU invested its $2.5 million into a suite of programs across a “Innovations to Practice” pathway. These included the Infrastructure Program to support acquisition of instrumentation and equipment that creates industry engagement, furthers research, and provides student training opportunities; the Faculty Development Program designed to increase faculty research competitiveness and develop new partnerships; the Technology Acceleration Program to fast-track ideas and technologies toward commercialization; and the Experiential Learning Program that supports students through undergraduate research opportunities, community-engaged programs, and other professional development opportunities. In addition, NDSU and UND created the University Collaboration Research Program (UCRP), an initiative that funded collaborative projects involving faculty from across North Dakota.

Why this Funding Matters

• Provides a catalyst for the translation of university research into innovative products, services, and technologies.
• Attracts collaborative investment and university-industry partnerships.
• Provides for investment in new ideas through seed programming.
• Supports ND higher education collaborations.
• Develops workforce skills through experiential learning opportunities.
• Leverages other resources.

NDSU is utilizing the EDRF program to enhance economic opportunities for North Dakota by fostering a culture of innovation and creating synergies and partnerships that benefit students, industry, and communities in the state.