WHAT WE DO
Enable research, creative activity, and innovation that address complex challenges and foster prosperity for the people of North Dakota and beyond.
WHOM WE SERVE
Our primary audiences are the researchers, scholars, and Deans of NDSU. We also partner closely with University leadership, federal and state funding agencies, industry, policymakers and economic stakeholders, and other NDSU administrative units.
R1
Ranking from the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education
$199.8M
6th record-breaking year for research expenditures
(FY24)
Top 100
Public research universities in the country
(NSF HERD Survey)
$93.5M
External awards
(FY25)
RCA Tools and Information
Institutional Information
Get frequently used numbers (DUNS, Unique Entity Identifier, Congressional District, Cage Code), contact information, authorized organizational representative and more.
Novelution
A centralized system with integrated software modules that support many research administration aspects.
NDSU Research Equipment Database
Discover shared equipment resources across the campus to support research and development.
Atom Grants
Atom Grants provides an innovative, AI-powered platform that allows faculty and researchers to create customized grant opportunity searches that match current or future faculty interests.
RCA Update Archive
Download past issues of RCA's monthly newsletter, the RCA Update. The newsletter is created for NDSU researchers, scholars, students, and staff, and provides up-to-date information on grant program changes, deadlines, notices, training, and other announcements.
RCA Events
Miss an event? Select replays and associated documents are available (NDSU login required).
NDSU Emerging Research Areas
NDSU researchers are working on a set of emerging research initiatives based on demonstrated momentum within the research community, projected benefit to the state of North Dakota, and capacity to foster interdisciplinary collaboration across colleges.
MATERIALS RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
NDSU leads in materials research and development to drive innovation, workforce development, and economic growth by focusing on sustainable materials, functional coatings, and advanced manufacturing techniques.
PRECISION AGRICULTURE AND AGTECH INNOVATION
NDSU develops scalable, data-driven, and biologically informed solutions to feed a growing world while stewarding natural resources.
RURAL AND COMMUNITY HEALTH & BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES
NDSU advances the health and quality of life of North Dakotans by leading biomedical research, expanding access to rural healthcare, and strengthening the biomedical workforce.
STEWARDING THE STORIES, PLACES, AND PEOPLE OF NORTH DAKOTA
NDSU elevates North Dakota’s cultural, historical, and environmental legacies through interdisciplinary scholarship, public engagement, and stewardship rooted in place-based storytelling and land-grant values.
Colbert receives NIH R01 Award to further iron import cell surface signaling research
Christopher Colbert, North Dakota State University professor of chemistry and biochemistry, has received a National Institute of Health R01 Award of $1,262,771 for his project, “Structural basis of sigma-regulator recognition by a site-1 protease during cell surface signaling by Gram-negative bacteria.”
Fender named NDSU Research Foundation executive director
Chris Fender has been named executive director of the NDSU Research Foundation. In this role, he will collaborate with campus and industry partners to develop and champion a shared vision supporting commercialization and economic development for NDSU researchers.
Outgoing RCA undergraduate research director Huang expands research opportunities for undergraduates
Since 2023, NDSU professor and chair of civil and environmental engineering Ying Huang has served as RCA undergraduate research director. During her tenure, she aimed to build a stronger undergraduate research ecosystem at NDSU and provide research opportunities for undergraduate students at NDSU.
2026 NDSU Summer Student Poster session showcases research projects
Undergraduate and high school students who conducted research at North Dakota State University this summer presented their work at the 2026 NDSU Summer Poster session.
Liang receives NASA award to study nutrient losses in Upper Mississippi River Basin
Kang Liang, NDSU assistant professor of soil physics and hydrology, has received funding from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to coproduce a decision-support platform to improve water quality while sustaining agricultural productivity.
