Nebraska Innovation Fund Prototype Grant
Nebraska Department of Economic Development (DED)
Up to $150,000
Researched for this program: 5 rejection traps · 4 required documentsWhat decides this award ↓
Nebraska prototype-development grant
A competitive matching grant under Nebraska's Business Innovation Act that helps Nebraska businesses fund the development of a product prototype. Standard awards are up to $150,000 and require the applicant to provide at least a 50% cash match; value-added agriculture projects qualify for a reduced 25% match. Funds are disbursed by reimbursement (66% for standard projects, 80% for value-added agriculture) and can pay for employee or contractor wages, prototype materials, and limited pre-approved tooling or equipment. Eligible applicants are Nebraska-based entities in non-retail primary industries with fewer than 500 employees that add value to products or processes. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until funds are exhausted, and projects must be completed within 24 months.
- Funding type
- Grant
- Level
- State
- Amount range
- Up to $150,000
- Realistic amount
- Across the program's history, prototype awards have averaged roughly $60,000 ($19.0M across 312 awards), so a typical award is well below the $150,000 ceiling. Strong, well-matched projects can reach the full $150,000.
- Deadline
- Rolling — accepted on a rolling basis until funds are exhausted; FY26–27 applications open on or before July 1, 2026.
- Status
- active
- States
- Nebraska
- Payment model
- reimbursement
Who qualifies
- Nebraska-based corporation, LLC, partnership, registered limited partnership, sole proprietorship, business trust, or similar entity
- Fewer than 500 employees
- Engaged in non-retail primary industries that add value to products or processes in Nebraska
- Able to provide at least a 50% cash match (25% for value-added agriculture projects)
- Matching funds must be cash from a non-state source (not Nebraska Legislature appropriations)
- Project must develop a product prototype and complete within 24 months
What it covers
Eligible expenses
- Employee or contractor wages for prototype development
- Prototype materials
- Limited pre-approved tooling costs
- Limited pre-approved equipment directly tied to the prototype
Ineligible expenses
- General operating expenses not tied to the prototype
- Retail business activities
- Match funded by Nebraska Legislature appropriations
- Non-cash (in-kind) contributions used to meet the cash-match requirement
How to apply
-
1
Confirm eligibility and secure cash match
Verify the business is a Nebraska non-retail primary-industry entity with fewer than 500 employees, and line up at least 50% cash match (25% for value-added ag) from a non-state source.
~6 hrs
-
2
Prepare application, business plan, and match evidence
Complete the NIF Prototype application in AmpliFund, attach a business plan, a prototype development budget, and documentation evidencing matching funds.
~14 hrs
-
3
Submit on a rolling basis
Submit through AmpliFund. Because funds are awarded until exhausted, apply early in the fiscal year. DED reviews for completeness and eligibility.
~2 hrs
-
4
Execute agreement and draw funds by reimbursement
On approval, execute the grant agreement and draw funds by reimbursement at 66% (standard) or 80% (value-added ag) of eligible costs as the prototype is developed.
~4 hrs
Because awards are made until the fiscal-year pool is exhausted, submit as soon as FY applications open (on or before July 1) rather than mid-year. Note funds come by reimbursement at 66% (or 80% for value-added ag), so budget cash flow to front the prototype spend before you're reimbursed.
Deadline & timing
No fixed competition deadline; the program funds on a first-come basis until the fiscal-year allocation runs out, so applying early in the fiscal year is advantageous. Administered via AmpliFund.
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