North Dakota Small Business Grants 2026: What's Open Now
Quick Answer: North Dakota small business grants are workforce and farm programs with matches attached.
Full answer and how we checked it
On October 18, 2026, Grantsights found Commerce's ROOT relocation grant open (up to $5,000 per out-of-state hire, through June 20, 2027), the Technical Skills Training Grant open (up to $200,000, 1:1 match), and the Department of Agriculture's APUC and ADD Fund grants next due January 1, 2027. There's no general federal or state grant for a Main Street business. Most owners use Bank of North Dakota programs through their bank, Development Fund loans, and the free ND SBDC.
This guide is for: North Dakota owners in Fargo, Bismarck, Grand Forks, Minot, Williston, and the state's small towns who want to know what pays cash this year and what's credit.
Data note: On October 18, 2026, Grantsights checked every program in this guide on its official page: the North Dakota Department of Commerce's ROOT, Technical Skills Training, Operation Intern, Global Talent Office, Innovate ND, LIFT, and Development Fund pages; the North Dakota Department of Agriculture's APUC, ADD Fund, and trade show pages; Job Service North Dakota; the Bank of North Dakota's PACE, Flex PACE, and loan guarantee pages; Lake Agassiz Development Group and Dakota Business Lending; the ND SBDC and ND Women's Business Center; and Treasury's SSBCI summaries. Federal award figures come from the public USAspending.gov API, pulled the same day.
In this guide (10 sections)
- North Dakota small business grants open or recurring in 2026
- Loans, buydowns, investment, and free help in North Dakota
- Primary Sector Certification: the gate behind most North Dakota money
- Workforce grants: ROOT and the Technical Skills Training Grant
- Agriculture grants: APUC, ADD Fund, and trade shows
- Which federal grants reached North Dakota small businesses in FY2025
- What North Dakota Commerce's website doesn't tell you
- SSBCI in North Dakota: $58.6 million, all equity
- How to apply, step by step
- Sources
North Dakota small business grants open or recurring in 2026
Grantsights verified 7 North Dakota grant programs that a for-profit business can use and that were open, rolling, or scheduled on October 18, 2026. Every one pays for a specific cost, mostly hiring and training, and four of them require you to match the state's money.
| North Dakota program | Who runs it | Amount | Who qualifies | Status | Deadline | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ROOT Grant (Relocation Opportunity for Outstanding Talent) | ND Commerce, Workforce Division | Up to $5,000 per relocated hire, plus $500 if hired through the state's Candidate Marketplace; 1:1 match | North Dakota employers with 5+ employees filling full-time, in-demand jobs with candidates living 100+ miles away | Open | June 20, 2027, 5 p.m. | ND Commerce ROOT (opens in a new tab) |
| Technical Skills Training Grant | ND Commerce, Workforce Division | Track A up to $200,000; Track B up to $100,000; Track C up to $200,000 plus a $100,000 feasibility study; 1:1 match | Businesses and training partners training for jobs on the state's in-demand occupations list | Open | None posted | ND Commerce TSTG (opens in a new tab) |
| Global Talent Office Grant | ND Commerce | Not stated; match required; up to 50% held until the final report | Employers recruiting or keeping legal immigrant workers | Open, first come, first served | Funds awarded by June 30, 2027 | ND Commerce GTO (opens in a new tab) |
| APUC grants (Agricultural Products Utilization Commission) | ND Department of Agriculture | No fixed cap; 25% match | North Dakota companies adding value to North Dakota farm products | Quarterly | January 1, 2027, then April 1, July 1, October 1 | NDDA APUC (opens in a new tab) |
| Agriculture Diversification and Development (ADD) Fund | ND Department of Agriculture | Up to $500,000 | New or expanding value-added ag businesses: food, feed, processing, manufacturing, animal production | Quarterly | January 1, 2027, then April 1, July 1, October 1 | NDDA ADD Fund (opens in a new tab) |
| Trade Show Participation Grant | ND Department of Agriculture | Covers booth, shipping, materials, and travel; amount not stated | North Dakota value-added food and ag companies exhibiting at a new out-of-state show in 2027 | Open | November 1, 2026 | NDDA trade show grant (opens in a new tab) |
| New Jobs Training Program | Job Service North Dakota | Funded from the state income tax withheld from new jobs, for up to 10 years; loan, reimbursement grant, or self-financing | Primary sector businesses adding full-time jobs paying $10+ an hour plus benefits | Ongoing | Sign before any new hire starts | Job Service ND (opens in a new tab) |
Left out: Innovate ND, which says its application period is closed for the 2025 to 2027 biennium; Automate ND, closed with no new applications; the Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure grant, closed; and Autonomous Agriculture grants, with 2025 awards made and no new round. Operation Intern (up to $5,000 per intern, 1:1 match) is technically open, but Commerce says all funds for this funding year have been applied for, so it's a waitlist. The Regional Workforce Impact Program and CDBG economic development go to regional groups and cities, not single businesses. We couldn't verify current facade or small business grants in Bismarck, Fargo, or Minot.
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Loans, buydowns, investment, and free help in North Dakota
These are loans, interest buydowns, equity, or advising, not grants. In North Dakota they're the heart of the system, because the Bank of North Dakota is a state-owned bank that partners with almost every local lender.
| North Dakota loan or help option | Who runs it | Amount | Who qualifies | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Interest buydown: Flex PACE | Bank of North Dakota, with your bank and community | Buys down up to $200,000 of interest for a business, $300,000 for child care, $500,000 for affordable housing | Any business your community deems eligible; no job creation required; community must fund its share | Ongoing | BND Flex PACE (opens in a new tab) |
| Interest buydown: PACE | Bank of North Dakota, with your bank and community | $100,000 to $500,000 buydown, by jobs or investment tier | Primary sector businesses creating 2+ jobs or investing $750,000+ | Ongoing | BND PACE (opens in a new tab) |
| Loan guarantee: Beginning Entrepreneur Loan Guarantee | Bank of North Dakota, through your bank | 85% of loans up to $150,000; 75% to $300,000; 50% to $500,000 | North Dakota residents with net worth under $500,000 | Ongoing | BND BELG (opens in a new tab) |
| Loan: Development Fund Non-Primary Sector | North Dakota Development Fund | $25,000 to $1,000,000 at a fixed 2%, up to 40% of the project | Businesses with under 100 employees in towns under 10,000 people, with a local support letter | First come, first served | NDDF non-primary sector (opens in a new tab) |
| Loan: LIFT technology loan | ND Commerce and BND | 0% for years 1 to 3, 2% for years 4 and 5 | Companies commercializing intellectual property | Open; current round due November 9, 2026 | ND Commerce LIFT (opens in a new tab) |
| Equity: Angel Match Program (SSBCI) | North Dakota Development Fund | Matches private investment 1:1, $10,000 to $250,000 | Primary sector certified startups headquartered in North Dakota with under 250 employees | Rolling | NDDF Angel Match (opens in a new tab) |
| Loan (SBA microlender): Lake Agassiz Development Group | LADG, Fargo | SBA microloans up to $50,000; USDA rural microloans up to $50,000; SBA 504 | Small businesses statewide | Ongoing | Lake Agassiz lending (opens in a new tab) |
| Loan (CDFI): Dakota Business Lending | Dakota Business Lending | Gap loans of $1,000 to $75,000; SBA 504 | North Dakota small businesses | Ongoing | Dakota Business Lending (opens in a new tab) |
| Help: North Dakota SBDC | ND Small Business Development Center network, hosted by UND | No-cost advising for start-ups and existing businesses, plus training | Any North Dakota small business | Ongoing | ND SBDC (opens in a new tab) |
| Help: North Dakota Women's Business Center | NDWBC | Free, confidential coaching and state Women-Owned Business certification | Women entrepreneurs, with others welcome | Ongoing | ND Women's Business Center (opens in a new tab) |
Last updated: 2026-10-18
North Dakota rewards businesses that bring money in from outside the state, and most programs say so through one gate, Primary Sector Certification. To see which North Dakota routes fit your county and industry, run the free eligibility checker, or browse open listings in the Grantsights grant database. Nonprofits and local governments should read the North Dakota grants guide, and the small business grants by state hub compares North Dakota with the other 49 states and DC.
Primary Sector Certification: the gate behind most North Dakota money
At least 4 of the programs in this guide require Primary Sector Certification from the Department of Commerce: PACE, the Development Fund's main loans, the Angel Match Program, and New Jobs Training. A primary sector business adds value to a product or service and brings new wealth into the state, typically by selling outside North Dakota or offering something that wasn't available in the state before.
That definition decides more than any single grant rule. A Fargo software company selling to customers in 30 states is primary sector. A Bismarck restaurant, a Minot hair salon, or a Williston auto repair shop usually isn't, however many people it employs. Grantsights' read: if you're not primary sector, skip PACE and the main Development Fund and go straight to Flex PACE, the Development Fund's non-primary sector loans (if you're in a small town), BND's Beginning Entrepreneur guarantee, and microlenders.
Workforce grants: ROOT and the Technical Skills Training Grant
ROOT pays up to $5,000 per hire to help employers relocate workers who live at least 100 miles away, plus $500 if the candidate came through the state's Find the Good Life Candidate Marketplace. According to Commerce's ROOT page (opens in a new tab), the window runs through June 20, 2027. The number of hires you can claim scales with size: up to 5 for employers with 5 to 20 employees, 10 for 20 to 50, 15 for 50 to 100, and 20 above that.
The match and timing matter. ROOT requires a 1:1 match on the $5,000, pays only after the worker has moved and received a first paycheck, and expects the hire to stay a year. For example, one company in North Dakota, say a 30-person machine shop in Grand Forks that recruits two welders from Montana, could receive up to $10,000 if it spends at least as much itself on relocation, but only after both welders are on payroll.
The Technical Skills Training Grant is the larger program, with three tracks:
| Technical Skills Training track | Maximum | What it pays for |
|---|---|---|
| Track A | $200,000 | New, accelerated training programs (not incumbent workers) |
| Track B | $100,000 | Upskilling existing staff |
| Track C | $200,000, plus up to $100,000 for a feasibility study | Training tied to automation |
All three tracks require a 1:1 match, training must happen in North Dakota for jobs on the state's in-demand occupations list, and degree programs aren't eligible. Commerce's guidance was updated August 4, 2026 and says the online application period is open.
Agriculture grants: APUC, ADD Fund, and trade shows
APUC and the ADD Fund both take applications four times a year, and the next deadline for each is January 1, 2027. According to the Department of Agriculture's ADD Fund page (opens in a new tab), ADD grants go up to $500,000 for new or expanding value-added businesses in food, feed and pet food, commodity processing, ag product manufacturing, and animal production, with priority for majority North Dakota-owned firms. Only the first 10 eligible applicants present each quarter, and grants can't pay salaries or normal operating costs.
APUC covers a wider set of uses: research, marketing and utilization, farm diversification, technical assistance, nature-based agritourism, and prototypes. Its 2026 guidelines require a match of at least 25% of the amount requested, with in-kind contributions capped at half the match. Grants are paid as reimbursement monthly or quarterly, and the department holds the final 10% until your final report. Applications are scored out of 100 points, with 30 for jobs and new wealth.
The Trade Show Participation Grant is a smaller, nearer deadline: value-added food and ag companies exhibiting at a new out-of-state show in 2027, such as the National Restaurant Association Show or the Summer Fancy Food Show, must apply by November 1, 2026.
Which federal grants reached North Dakota small businesses in FY2025
North Dakota small businesses received $14.36 million in federal grant obligations in FY2025, on just 2 awards to 2 recipients, according to USAspending.gov records. That's from a Grantsights analysis of USAspending.gov (opens in a new tab) FY2025 grant awards to small-business recipients in North Dakota, pulled from the public USAspending.gov API (opens in a new tab) on October 18, 2026, using grant award types 02 to 05, the "small business" recipient type, a North Dakota recipient location, and October 1, 2024 through September 30, 2025.
| Assistance listing | Program | FY2025 obligations to North Dakota small businesses | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 81.087 | DOE Renewable Energy Research and Development | $14,187,000 | 98.8% |
| 10.212 | USDA SBIR/STTR | $174,923 | 1.2% |
One recipient dominates: a single renewable fuels company took $14.19 million, or 98.8%, through one DOE research and development award. Strip that out, and North Dakota small businesses received $174,923 in federal grants for the whole year, from one USDA SBIR award. Both are research programs. The honest conclusion is that federal grants aren't a realistic source for an ordinary North Dakota business, and even research-focused firms here win far fewer SBIR awards than in neighboring Minnesota.
Limits: "small business" is self-reported in each recipient's SAM.gov registration (opens in a new tab), and these are obligations, not payments. A single multiyear award recorded in one year can make a state's total look much larger than its typical year.
What North Dakota Commerce's website doesn't tell you
Commerce, the Department of Agriculture, and BND describe their programs carefully. These are the points that trip up North Dakota owners.
Almost every grant is a match. ROOT, the Technical Skills Training Grant, and Operation Intern are 1:1, and APUC needs at least 25%. A common mistake is budgeting the grant amount as free cash when it's really half the cost.
Payments come late, and some are held back. ROOT pays after the move and first paycheck. APUC holds the last 10% until the final report, and the Global Talent Office grant can hold up to 50%. Plan cash flow for the gap.
Timing rules are strict. New Jobs Training requires the preliminary agreement before any new employee's start date, and PACE can't be used to refinance or move within the state. Apply first, then act.
PACE depends on jobs; Flex PACE depends on your town. Regular PACE starts at 2 to 5 new jobs or $750,000 of investment. Flex PACE needs no jobs, but your city or county must commit its share, and you can't pay it for them. Talk to your local development office early.
Older pages carry old numbers. Commerce's finance page still lists BND's Beginning Entrepreneur guarantee at $100,000, while BND's own page (opens in a new tab) shows loans up to $500,000. Some local sites list Operation Intern at $4,000 instead of $5,000. Use the program's own page.
Paying for "grant access" is a red flag. The North Dakota Attorney General's business scams page (opens in a new tab) warns about phony invoices, overpayment checks, and fake business awards. No program in this guide charges an application fee, and the ND Women's Business Center notes that grants for general operations are rare.
SSBCI in North Dakota: $58.6 million, all equity
North Dakota put its entire SSBCI allocation into equity, according to Treasury's SSBCI capital program summaries (opens in a new tab).
| North Dakota SSBCI program | Administrator | Allocation | What it does |
|---|---|---|---|
| Angel Match Program | North Dakota Development Fund | $13.6 million | Matches private investors 1:1, $10,000 to $250,000 per business |
| Direct Investment Program (Wonder Fund North Dakota) | O'Leary Ventures, for Commerce | $45.0 million | Co-invests in early-stage North Dakota companies, $50,000 to $5 million in Treasury's 2023 summary |
The Angel Match Program has firm rules: primary sector certification, headquarters in North Dakota, a C-suite officer and 25% of W-2 staff living in the state, fewer than 250 employees, and a realistic exit in 5 to 10 years. It invests on the same terms as your other investors. Commerce's Wonder Fund page didn't state whether applications are open, so ask before you plan around it. Neither program helps a business that isn't raising equity.
How to apply, step by step
- Ask Commerce about Primary Sector Certification. The answer sorts every program in this guide.
- For hiring from out of state, apply for ROOT before you make the offer, and budget the 1:1 match.
- For training, pick the right Technical Skills Training track and line up the match.
- For value-added ag projects, apply to APUC or the ADD Fund by January 1, 2027.
- For capital, ask your banker about Flex PACE, PACE, and the BND guarantee, or call Lake Agassiz.
- Book a free ND SBDC session to check projections and loan documents.
Owners near the Red River can compare. The Minnesota small business grants guide covers the state across the river, which runs more job-creation grants and has a larger SBIR community. Research firms should also read the SBIR grants complete guide.
Sources
- ND Commerce ROOT Grant (opens in a new tab)
- ND Commerce Technical Skills Training Grant (opens in a new tab)
- ND Commerce Operation Intern (opens in a new tab)
- ND Commerce Global Talent Office Grant (opens in a new tab)
- NDDA APUC (opens in a new tab)
- NDDA ADD Fund (opens in a new tab)
- NDDA Trade Show Participation Grant (opens in a new tab)
- Job Service ND New Jobs Training Program (opens in a new tab)
- BND PACE (opens in a new tab)
- BND Flex PACE (opens in a new tab)
- BND Beginning Entrepreneur Loan Guarantee (opens in a new tab)
- NDDF Angel Match Program (opens in a new tab)
- ND Attorney General business scams (opens in a new tab)
- Treasury SSBCI capital program summaries (opens in a new tab)
- ND SBDC (opens in a new tab)
- SBA microloans (opens in a new tab)
- USAspending.gov API (opens in a new tab)
- SAM.gov entity registration (opens in a new tab)
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there small business grants in North Dakota?
Yes, but they're tied to hiring, training, or agriculture, and nearly all require a match. When Grantsights checked state pages on October 18, 2026, Commerce's ROOT grant paid up to $5,000 per out-of-state hire through June 20, 2027, and its Technical Skills Training Grant was open for up to $200,000 with a 1:1 match. The Department of Agriculture's APUC and ADD Fund grants (ADD goes up to $500,000) take applications quarterly, next due January 1, 2027. Operation Intern's funds for this year were fully applied for, so new applicants go on a waitlist.
How do I get a small business grant in North Dakota?
Start with what you're spending on. For recruiting a worker who lives 100+ miles away, apply for ROOT. For training, apply to the Technical Skills Training Grant and line up the 1:1 match. For a value-added farm or food project, apply to APUC or the ADD Fund before the January 1, 2027 deadline. Ask Commerce whether your business can get Primary Sector Certification, because that status opens most of the state's incentives. If you run a shop, restaurant, or local service, your route is Flex PACE through your bank, BND guarantees, and free ND SBDC advising.
Are there startup grants in North Dakota?
Not right now. Innovate ND, which paid up to $50,000 in reimbursable vouchers to scalable startups, says its application period is closed for the 2025 to 2027 biennium. What's open for startups is investment and credit: the Angel Match Program co-invests $10,000 to $250,000 alongside private investors, LIFT loans for commercializing technology charge 0% for three years (current round due November 9, 2026), and BND's Beginning Entrepreneur Loan Guarantee backs bank loans up to $500,000.
Does North Dakota have grants for women- or minority-owned businesses?
Grantsights didn't find a verified North Dakota grant limited to women-, minority-, or Native-owned businesses. The North Dakota Women's Business Center offers free coaching and the state's Women-Owned Business certification, but says it doesn't provide loans or grants directly. Native-led CDFIs such as the Native American Development Center in Bismarck are listed among lenders active in the state.
What is PACE in North Dakota?
PACE is a Bank of North Dakota interest rate buydown on a loan from your local bank, not a grant. Regular PACE is for primary sector businesses and buys down up to $100,000 of interest for 2 to 5 new jobs or $750,000 or more of investment, rising to $500,000 for 20+ jobs or $4.5 million. Flex PACE needs no new jobs and buys down up to $200,000 for a business, $300,000 for child care, or $500,000 for affordable housing, but your city or county has to put in a share the borrower can't fund.
What loans can a North Dakota small business get?
BND works through your local lender. Its Beginning Entrepreneur Loan Guarantee covers 85% of loans up to $150,000, falling to 50% for loans up to $500,000, for owners with net worth under $500,000. The North Dakota Development Fund's non-primary sector loans lend $25,000 to $1,000,000 at a fixed 2% in towns under 10,000 people. Lake Agassiz Development Group makes SBA microloans up to $50,000 statewide, and Dakota Business Lending makes gap loans of $1,000 to $75,000.
Last updated October 18, 2026. Published by Grantsights from public sources. See our editorial policy, how we build and check guides, corrections and how we make money.
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