Destination Development Grant Program

The Destination Development Grant Program funds tourism experiences and attractions across North Dakota under the North Dakota Department of Commerce. It runs on a biennial cycle tied to legislative appropriations, and the 2025 to 2027 biennium was assigned $15 million by the 69th Legislative Assembly. The programme is a grant route open to for-profit businesses, nonprofits, and universities, with tourism as the core sector and no matching requirement. The 2025 cycle distributed $15 million to 22 projects from 106 applications, while the 2026 cycle awarded $4 million to 8 projects from 103 applications; the current round is closed and the next cycle depends on 2027 spring legislative session funding. The strongest proposals are likely to be tourism assets that create visible public value for communities and visitors rather than narrow private benefit. Because the programme is legislative and biennial, applicants need to plan around session timing and closed windows instead of expecting a standing annual intake.

No upcoming rounds verified. Cadence: Biennial.