Application period for LIFT Program opens Oct. 5

What this means

The North Dakota Department of Commerce opened the Legacy Investment for Technology loan-fund application round on October 5, 2026, with applications due November 9. The state says LIFT finances intellectual-property commercialization by eligible North Dakota companies in listed technology and value-added industries; loan terms begin with three years at zero percent interest, followed by two years at two percent and then the standard Bank of North Dakota rate, and the program has recommended $47.5 million across 76 awards since it began.

Official release

Source material from North Dakota Department of Commerce. The wording below is the issuer’s statement.

The North Dakota Department of Commerce announces the opening of the Legacy Investment for Technology (LIFT) application round on Oct. 5. Applications are due November 9, 2026.

“The LIFT fund supports North Dakota companies commercializing intellectual property,” said Brian Opp, CEO of the North Dakota Development Fund, which administers the LIFT fund. “LIFT continues to drive innovation and strengthen North Dakota’s competitive position across several industries.”

Since its inception, LIFT has recommended $47.5 million across 76 awards to North Dakota companies advancing technology commercialization and innovation.

LIFT is an innovation loan fund that supports technology advancement by providing financing for commercialization of intellectual property within the state of North Dakota. Loan funds are designed to enhance capacity and, to the extent possible, leverage state, federal and private sources of funding.

Commerce works with the Bank of North Dakota to manage and administer the loan fund. LIFT loan terms include 0% interest for the first three years of the loan, 2% interest for the next two years, and an interest rate equal to a standard Bank of North Dakota loan for all subsequent years. The program is open to North Dakota companies working in advanced computing and data management, agriculture technology, autonomous and unmanned vehicles and technologies, energy, healthcare, value-added agriculture, value-added energy, and any area specifically identified by the LIFT committee as contributing to the diversification of the state’s economy.

For more information, application guidelines and program details, visit https://belegendary.link/LIFT.

Release text attributed to North Dakota Department of Commerce. Consult the official publication for any subsequent corrections or updates.