Grants since the program's inception in 1987 have been used to:
Help diversify the Great Plains Synfuels Plant;
Improve methods for more efficient and cost-effective reclamation;
Find cleaner ways to burn lignite in existing boilers;
Identify new market opportunities; and
Meet new challenges from proposed environmental regulations
Upcoming Grant Deadline
View All Events
Lignite Research Program - October 1, 2026
Applicant Information
Guidelines
Definition of Clean Coal Demonstration Projects-Errata Sheet
Application
Please click here to create a new account in our grants management system to begin your application.
If you already have an account, log in here and select "Apply for Grant" to start a new application for this program.
For tips on how to create a new account in our grants management system: watch this video
For tips on how to use this grants management system: watch this video
For questions on the grant application process, email ndicgrants@nd.gov.
Statutes
54-17.5 Lignite Research, Development, and Marketing
The legislative assembly finds and declares that North Dakota's lignite industry produces approximately twenty-five million tons of lignite annually, contributing to our state's and nation's energy independence by generating electricity for more than two million people in the northern great plains region and by producing synthetic natural gas from coal that heats three hundred thousand homes and businesses in eastern states, which is equivalent to over twenty thousand barrels of oil per day. The legislative assembly further finds and declares that North Dakota's lignite industry generates over twelve thousand direct and indirect jobs for North Dakota, nearly six billion dollars in annual business volume, and over one hundred million dollars in annual tax revenue. The legislative assembly further finds and declares that it is an essential governmental function and public purpose to assist with the development and wise use of North Dakota's vast lignite resources by supporting a lignite research, development, and marketing program that promotes economic, efficient, and clean uses of lignite and products derived from lignite in order to maintain and enhance development of North Dakota lignite and its products; support educational activities relating to the lignite industry; preserve and create jobs involved in the production and utilization of North Dakota lignite; ensure economic stability, growth, and opportunity in the lignite industry; defend through litigation activities the production, use, and continued development of lignite as a vital state natural resource; and maintain a stable and competitive tax base for our state's lignite industry for the general welfare of North Dakota. The legislative assembly further finds and declares that development of North Dakota's lignite resources must be conducted in an environmentally sound manner that protects our state's air, water, and soil resources as specified by applicable federal and state law.
Article 43-03 Contracts for Land Reclamation Research and Research, Development, and Marketing of Lignite Products Derived from Lignite
Since 1987 the North Dakota industrial commission has been authorized to make funds available to provide financial assistance for contracts for land reclamation research projects and for research, development, and marketing of lignite and products derived from lignite. The lignite research council, established by executive order 1987-4, and as presently constituted by executive order 1991-1, will review and make recommendations to the commission on all applications for financial assistance under this program. The industrial commission concurred in the appointments to the lignite research council.
Orders
Executive Order 2013-05
Since 1987 the North Dakota industrial commission has been authorized to make funds available to provide financial assistance for contracts for land reclamation research projects and for research, development, and marketing of lignite and products derived from lignite. The lignite research council, established by executive order 1987-4, and as presently constituted by executive order 1991-1, will review and make recommendations to the commission on all applications for financial assistance under this program. The industrial commission concurred in the appointments to the lignite research council.