The Nebraska Academic Research and Development Grants program provides matching competitive grants to Nebraska businesses engaging in research and development in collaboration with a Nebraska college or university. The program aims to support the commercialization of new products, modifications to existing products that enhance marketability, and improvements in existing processes that generate new revenue opportunities for businesses in the state. The academic component plays a primary role in research and development under this grant, ensuring projects are driven by expertise from the participating institutions.

The grant is structured in two phases. Phase I awards are capped at $100,000, and businesses that successfully complete Phase I may be eligible for Phase II awards, which are capped at $400,000. A business can receive no more than two awards for the same project within a four-year period. The funding for these grants must be matched at a 1:1 ratio with eligible non-state sources such as private foundations, federal or local governments, quasi-governmental entities, commercial lending institutions, or investors. However, for value-added agriculture projects, the matching requirement is reduced to 25% of the requested grant amount (4:1 matching ratio). Applicants should discuss project details with the Nebraska Department of Economic Development (DED) to determine whether their project qualifies under the value-added agriculture category.

Eligible applicants include for-profit businesses that have a physical operations facility in Nebraska. The projects must involve academic research and development activities conducted in collaboration with a Nebraska college, university, or faculty member. The research should be geared towards developing new products, modifying existing products, or improving processes that enhance business revenue potential.

The application period for both Phase I and Phase II grants opens on June 17, 2024, at 12:00 AM Central Time and closes on June 30, 2025, at 11:55 PM Central Time. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until available funds are exhausted. Applicants are encouraged to contact the DED to verify the availability of funding before submitting an application.

For additional information on the Academic R&D Grants program, applicants can refer to the Academic R&D Grant Guidelines and access grant management resources through AmpliFund. Technical assistance is available to help applicants navigate the application process and manage awarded grants. The primary contact for the program is Brad Kulwicki, Business Development Consultant II, who can be reached at bradley.kulwicki@nebraska.gov or by phone at 402-480-9380. The Nebraska Department of Economic Development is located at 245 Fallbrook Blvd, Suite 002, Lincoln, NE 68521, and can also be contacted at 800-426-6505.