Applicant and project eligibility for all categories

1. Preference must be given to projects that: a. Utilize North Dakota agricultural products in their production processes. b. Produce food, feed, fuel, and fiber products through processes that are innovative and add to the value of agricultural products. c. Are submitted by an existing or prospective company that will be actively engaged in utilizing and adding value to North Dakota agricultural products. d. Comply with the goals and intentions of one of the grant categories. 2. Consideration may not be given to applications for: a. Projects that do not clearly meet the commissioners' stated purpose. b. Projects that are aimed solely at business expansion or creation without regard to enhanced agricultural products utilization. c. Projects that cannot reasonably be expected to result in viable commercialization. d. Projects that cause unwarranted duplication of efforts or processes. e. Projects that focus on agricultural inputs, infrastructure, or production methods that do not relate clearly to agricultural product utilization, agricultural diversification, or nature-based tourism. f. Projects from applicants who are not fulfilling, or have not fulfilled, the requirements of prior agricultural products utilization grants.