GROW Community Innovation Awards

Grassroots Rural Opportunities for Workforce

Supporting Local AgTech Workforce Innovation Projects

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Download Overview

Application Window

July 22 - September 4, 2026

Award notifications

By Sept 15, 2026

Max per project

$7,500

Total available

Up to $50,000

$50,000

Total Funding Available
Across ND's eight economic regions

Sept - Feb

Project Period
Sept 16, 2026 – Feb 5, 2027

$7,500

Maximum Per Project
Reimbursement-based awards

Local

Community-Led
Communities, non-profits & practice groups

Opporunity overview

Investing in community-driven AgTech workforce innovation

Projects Must

Align with at least one CWP recommendation (see Focus Areas)
Demonstrate community leadership and collaboration
Produce outcomes and lessons that can be shared and scaled across regions

In 2024, the National Science Foundation recognized North Dakota's leadership potential in agriculture and technology by establishing the AgTech Engine in North Dakota — a transformative investment to accelerate agricultural technology adoption while strengthening rural economies and workforce opportunities.

As part of this initiative, eight Community Workforce Partnership (CWP) sessions were held across the state from December 2024 to March 2025, gathering input from more than 220 participants across 44 counties. These sessions surfaced critical workforce priorities and community needs.

For Year 3 (2026/27), the NSF AgTech Engine will award up to $50,000 in GROW Community Innovation Awards. Individual awards of up to $7,500 support locally led, high-impact projects that align with Community Workforce Partnership priorities and advance the AgTech Engine's workforce focus areas.

Projects funded
in the 2025 pilot

$40K

Awarded across
five regions

Building on success

The inaugural GROW Awards funded projects ranging from precision agriculture and AI education to workforce training, educator resources, youth engagement, and career pathway development. Year 3 builds on this momentum by expanding available funding and encouraging communities to keep developing innovative solutions that strengthen North Dakota's AgTech workforce.

Focus Areas

Connect to at least one focus area

Each area is tied to the Community Workforce Partnership priorities. Projects must connect to one or more of the following.

AgTech Education & Workforce Preparation

Expand access to AgTech education and prepare learners of all ages for careers in modern agriculture.

Examples: K–12 programs, higher education, Extension, community-based learning, educator PD, career exploration, dual credit, certifications, stackable credentials, and pathway development.

Applied Learning & Industry Partnerships

Provide hands-on learning experiences and strengthen partnerships between education, employers, and industry.

Examples: internships, apprenticeships, educator externships, job shadows, mentorships, employer engagement, industry tours, and work-based learning aligned to AgTech needs.

AgTech Workforce-Ready Communities

Strengthen a community's ability to attract, prepare, support, and retain an AgTech workforce.

Examples: community assessments, leadership development, employer engagement, workforce planning, and other retention/attraction projects.

AgTech Innovation, Entrepreneurship & Knowledge Sharing

Encourage innovation, entrepreneurship, technology adoption, and knowledge sharing to strengthen ND's AgTech ecosystem.

Examples: AgTech demonstrations, producer or student innovation projects, entrepreneurship education, innovation challenges, startup support, peer learning, and storytelling.

Who Can Apply

Eligibility

Eligible applicants are motivated to build AgTech workforce capacity and include:

Geographic communities / government entities — towns, counties, regions
Non-profit organizations
Communities of practice — educators, organizations, groups, industry

Alignment

NSF AgTech Engine Outcomes

Projects should align with the broader AgTech Engine outcomes:

Engage
Connect experts and communities to address local workforce needs

Identify
Pinpoint priorities for AgTech workforce and community growth

Implement

Carry out projects with clear goals and trackable outcomes

Scale

Share lessons learned to expand impact across rural communities

Use of Funds

Eligible expenses & requirements

Awards support small-scale, community-led innovation pilots that create actionable insights, build momentum, and can be shared and expanded. All awards are reimbursement-based.

Eligible Expenses



Supplies, materials, or equipment directly connected to the project
Costs for hosting community engagement, education, or outreach activities
Curriculum, materials, translation, or resource development tied to AgTech workforce advancement
Local travel directly required to carry out the project activity

Not Eligible



Personnel, wages, or salary costs for organizational staff
General operating expenses not tied directly to the project
Lobbying or political engagement activities
Pre-award costs incurred prior to the official award period
Capital construction or major infrastructure
Cash awards/prizes not directly tied to outcomes

Reimbursement Requirements

All costs must be reasonable, allocable, necessary, and tied directly to approved activities
Itemized receipts are required for all reimbursement requests
Reimbursement will not exceed the total approved award amount
A final outcomes report is required

Timeline