NDSU President David Cook advocates for Challenge Grant funding during the 69th Assembly of the North Dakota Legislature in Bismarck.
NDSU administrators, researchers and alumni recently testified before the North Dakota Senate Appropriations Education and Environmental Committee in support of Challenge Grant funding and Senate Bill 2003 during the 69th Assembly of the North Dakota Legislature.
NDSU President David Cook and NDSU Foundation President and CEO John Glover emphasized the critical role of Challenge Grant funds in shaping the future workforce of North Dakota. These scholarships empower students to focus on education and innovation, enabling them to create new businesses and industries within the state.
Continued and additional funding will help NDSU retain and attract talented graduates to North Dakota, fostering economic growth and development for North Dakota.
This investment will pay dividends for generations, creating a robust pipeline of skilled professionals ready to meet the state’s current and future needs.
The proposed funding for Challenge Grant and EDRF initiatives is expected to yield long-term economic benefits for North Dakota, stimulating innovation, entrepreneurship and workforce readiness.
NDSU’s commitment to leveraging state funding for impactful research and education demonstrates the university’s dedication to advancing the state’s economic and social well-being.
If passed, SB 2003 would provide additional funding for the North Dakota Economic Diversification Research Fund, a program that has already invested $5.5 million into advancing research across the state over the past two years.
NDSU allocated its $2.5 million share of the EDRF into a strategic “Innovations to Practice” pathway, supporting programs that drive industry engagement, academic excellence and workforce development. The initiatives include:
Infrastructure Program: Funding for advanced instrumentation and equipment to enhance research, industry collaboration and student training opportunities.
Faculty Development Program: Supporting faculty research competitiveness and encouraging new partnerships.
Technology Acceleration Program: Fast-tracking ideas and technologies toward commercialization.
Experiential Learning Program: Offering students opportunities for undergraduate research, community engagement and professional development.
University Collaboration Research Program: A joint initiative between NDSU and UND to fund collaborative research projects across North Dakota.
NDSU researchers Ryan McGrath and Armstrong Aboah presented groundbreaking projects supported by EDRF funding.
Through UCRP funding, McGrath is exploring the treatment of age-related diseases using a honey and pomegranate antioxidant supplement. Preliminary findings suggest the supplement could improve blood pressure and the rate of muscle force development, offering promising implications for managing age-related disabilities.
With TAP funding, Aboah is developing an AI-driven visual and audio alert system aimed at reducing work zone fatalities by increasing driver awareness. In collaboration with the North Dakota Department of Transportation, Aboah plans to pilot and evaluate the system's effectiveness.
In addition to legislative testimony, NDSU students from agriculture, engineering and health professions represented the university on Wednesday at the State Capitol during the Higher Education Legislative Showcase.
