North Dakota Opened LIFT Loan Program Applications
The state has launched a new application window for technology businesses seeking low-interest research and testing loans.
Updated on Oct. 12, 2026 in Biotech
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North Dakota has officially opened applications for its Legacy Investment for Technology (LIFT) loan program. The state is now accepting requests for the current cohort until November 9, 2026.
Why it matters
The LIFT program is designed to enhance the capacity of local companies to bring new technologies to market. By providing specialized financing, the state aims to support research and development costs that fall outside typical capital expenses.
The LIFT program offers loans with no interest for the first three years, followed by 2% interest for the next two years. State funding for the 2025-2027 period is set at $10 million.
The players
Valence NGS
This company based in Williston received a $1 million loan recommendation during the 2023-2025 cycle.
Trilogy
Headquartered in Minot, this entity was awarded a $1 million loan recommendation as part of the 2023-2025 LIFT funding period.
The details
Loans from the program are restricted to covering research, experimentation, or testing costs, explicitly excluding capital, building, equipment, and training expenses. Healthcare companies currently lead in total funding, having received $13.4 million in awards with an average size of $788,000.
Timeline
The program launched as the Innovation Loan Fund in 2019.
The program was rebranded as LIFT in 2023.
Applications opened for the latest round on October 5, 2026.
The current application window closes on November 9, 2026.
Applications for the next cohort will reopen in February 2027.
The Tech Race
The LIFT program marks a strategic shift to bolster North Dakota's competitiveness in healthcare and advanced computing. By prioritizing research-specific funding, the state aims to compete directly with other regions focused on rapid biotech and data-driven commercialization.
Local technology firms can leverage these loans to offset research and testing costs that might otherwise be prohibitively expensive. Successful applicants gain access to five-year financing terms that provide a significant three-year interest-free grace period.
The takeaway
Businesses looking to qualify should ensure their projects focus strictly on research and testing rather than general capital or inventory costs. This specific focus on innovation-stage funding helps companies bridge the gap between experimental development and commercial viability.
What happens next
The application window for the current LIFT cohort closes on November 9, 2026. The program will reopen for the next cohort in February 2027.
Further reading
For more information on the regional industry climate, visit the North Dakota Biotech section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Technical.
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