In early 2002, Senator Byron Dorgan (D-ND) convened a meeting to propose the Red River Valley Research Corridor a bold new program to draw millions of Federal research dollars to the universities in North Dakota. Dorgan envisioned the UND in Grand Forks and NDSU in Fargo anchoring the research corridor, and then reaching out and working cooperatively with state colleges and universities throughout the state. That first step has stimulated a cycle of Federal research and economic development in North Dakota and is helping to develop the State's major universities into world-class research institutions. Since 2002 more than $300 million of funding has been directed to North Dakota to build world class research centers, support our growing high tech sector, build critical infrastructure and specialized facilities, and train skilled workers for emerging industries.
 
Complimentary to this effort a competitive University Centers grant from the US Economic Development Administration (EDA) created the Red River Valley Research Corridor University Center, a new partnership between the UND Center for Innovation, the NDSU Research Technology Park and the North Dakota Department of Commerce. Matching funds come from the North Dakota Department of Commerce. The partnership was formed to capitalize upon the research capacity within the Red River Valley Research Corridor.  The goals of the center are to pair entrepreneur ventures or corporations with the two research universities to develop and commercialize technologies and to help build and attract high-tech businesses and create high-paying jobs for the region.

The University Center program builds on the core competencies at UND and NDSU as well as the North Dakota Centers of Excellence programs, three technology incubators (two at UND, one under construction at NDSU), two established technology parks (The NDSU Research & Technology Park and the UND Tech Park) and the growing commitment of federal research dollars to NDSU and UND.

The program is targeting businesses that fall under the core competencies at each university. Specifically the targeted industries are:

The University of North Dakota
Biotech, Life and Health Sciences
Energy and Environmental Sciences
Aerospace/Unmanned Aerial Systems

North Dakota State University
Polymers and Coatings
Nanotechnology
Microelectronics and Sensors

Entrepreneurs and companies interested in locating within the tech incubators or tech parks at UND’s Center for Innovation or the NDSU Research Technology Park, or that wish to collaborate with researchers at either campus, should contact Bruce Gjovig Bruce@innovators.net or Brenda Sorenson Brenda@innovators.net at the Center for Innovation, phone (701) 777-3132.
 
The RRV Research Corridor University Center program and the Center for Innovation are supported by the Economic Development Administration and U.S. Department of Commerce through its University Centers Program. The mission of the EDA is to lead the federal economic development agenda by promoting innovation and competitiveness, preparing American regions for growth and success in the worldwide economy.

Please visit the Red River Valley Research Cooridor website for more information.