North Dakota Agricultural Products Utilization Commission (APUC) Grant
North Dakota Department of Agriculture — Agricultural Products Utilization Commission (APUC)
Varies by category (recent max ~$115K)
Value-added ag grants for North Dakota
APUC is a North Dakota Department of Agriculture grant program that funds research and development of new and expanded uses for North Dakota agricultural products and value-added agriculture ventures. Grants are awarded across six categories: basic and applied research; marketing and utilization; farm diversification; nature-based agri-tourism; prototype development and technology; and technical assistance. The Commission meets quarterly, inviting the first 15 qualifying applicants per cycle to present their proposals in person. In its June 2026 cycle, APUC awarded $340,524.50 to six projects, with the single largest award at $115,025. Applicants must be North Dakota companies (or entities) that add value to North Dakota agriculture, and a cash or in-kind match is expected.
- Funding type
- Grant
- Level
- State
- Amount range
- Varies by category (recent max ~$115K)
- Realistic amount
- Recent individual awards have ranged from roughly $16,000 to $115,000 depending on category,…
- Deadline
- Quarterly — application deadlines of January 1, April 1, July 1, and October 1, with Commission review meetings about a month after each deadline.
- Status
- active
- States
- North Dakota
- Payment model
- reimbursement
Who qualifies
- Must be a North Dakota company or entity that adds value to North Dakota agriculture
- Project must develop new or expanded uses for North Dakota agricultural products, or qualify under one of the six categories
- Applicant must provide a monetary or in-kind match (co-funding strengthens scoring; a minimum match is expected)
- Application must include original signatures of the applicant, project advisor (if applicable), and fiscal agent
- Only the first 15 qualifying applicants per quarter are invited to present
What it covers
Eligible expenses
- Research and feasibility studies
- Marketing and utilization activities
- Equipment and prototype development
- Consultant and technical services
- Farm diversification project costs
- Nature-based agri-tourism development
Ineligible expenses
- Activities unrelated to North Dakota agricultural products or value-added agriculture
- General operating expenses outside the scope of the funded project
How to apply
-
1
Pick the right category and review guidelines
Determine which of the six APUC categories fits the project (research, marketing and utilization, farm diversification, agri-tourism, prototype/technology, or technical assistance) and review program guidelines and forms.
~4 hrs
-
2
Prepare the application and secure match
Draft the proposal with budget, line up matching/co-funding (cash or in-kind), and obtain original signatures of the applicant, project advisor, and fiscal agent.
~12 hrs
-
3
Submit by the quarterly deadline
File the complete application with all attachments by the January 1, April 1, July 1, or October 1 deadline to the ND Department of Agriculture / APUC.
~2 hrs
-
4
Present in person to the Commission
If among the first 15 qualifying applicants, present the proposal in person at the quarterly Commission meeting; the Commission votes on awards.
~6 hrs
Only the first 15 qualifying applicants each quarter are invited to present, so submit early in the cycle and make sure your application is complete on first pass. Lining up visible co-funding from other sources directly earns scoring points — the Commission rewards a demonstrated shared funding commitment.
Deadline & timing
The Commission meets quarterly to review proposals; the first 15 qualifying applicants each cycle present in person. 2026 review meetings: Feb 25–26 (Bismarck), May 27–28 (Bottineau), Jul 20–21 (Medora), Nov 18–19 (Grand Forks). Next deadline after the May cycle is July 1, 2026.
Programs that stack well
- Innovate ND Entrepreneurship Grant
- North Dakota Flex PACE Workforce Training Fund
- usda-value-added-producer-grants
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Last reviewed 2026. GrantCompass is an independent funding-discovery tool and is not affiliated with any government agency. Always confirm details on the official program page.