Issuer: Nebraska Department of Economic Development
Opportunity: Nebraska Academic Research and Development Grants
Deadline: Rolling. The current application cycle opened July 6, 2026 and remains open until available program funds are fully committed. Nebraska DED recommends contacting program staff to confirm current funding availability before applying.
Funding: Phase I awards are capped at $100,000. Phase II awards are capped at $400,000 and are available only after successful completion of Phase I. Program guidelines state annual program funding of up to $6 million, subject to availability.
Match: Standard awards require a 100% cash match, meaning a 1:1 applicant match. Qualifying value added agricultural projects require a 25% cash match.
Eligibility: Eligible applicants are for profit businesses with physical operations facilities in Nebraska that conduct qualifying research and development with a Nebraska college or university, use qualifying Nebraska higher education core or service facilities, or commercialize technology developed by a Nebraska college or university. Awardees must be qualified to do business in Nebraska and be in good standing with the Nebraska Secretary of State. A direct contract with an individual professor does not satisfy the formal higher education relationship requirement.
Eligible project activity: The program supports applied research and development, commercialization of new products, substantial improvements to existing products or processes, sponsored research, qualifying core or service center work, non founder labor, materials and supplies, limited equipment, relevant licensing and certifications, technical subscriptions, and contract development when directly tied to the approved project scope.
Application requirements: Applicants must submit the Nebraska DED application with the applicable draft Sponsored Research Agreement, academic scope and estimates, core or service center documentation, or licensing agreement; a performance plan with three to seven milestones; project budget and narrative; quotes for services, materials, and equipment; estimates for non founder labor; and evidence that the required cash match is available. Applicant controlled facts, agreements, and supporting documents must be supplied by the applicant.
N9+ Fit Score: 94/100 conditional. The program can support legitimate device and platform research, validation, product improvement, limited equipment, licensing or certification, technical subscriptions, and commercialization activity. The Nonagon N9+ device and platform should be advanced only through an independently eligible Nebraska business with a qualifying formal Nebraska higher education relationship and a legitimate approved research and development scope.
Atlas Opportunity Score: 93/100.
Direct applicant caution: Dr. Miltie eligibility is not assumed. The published requirements include qualifying Nebraska operations, good standing, a formal Nebraska higher education relationship, and a mandatory cash match. No direct Dr. Miltie application should advance unless those conditions are independently verified and the required match is approved under Atlas governance.
Official sources: Nebraska Department of Economic Development program page and July 2026 official program guidelines.