Archived Notice of Funding Availabilities

New Jersey Innovation Fellows Grant Program, Round 2 (Reposted on July 8, 2024, previously posted on April 24, 2024 with an amended scoring section and new application opening and closing dates, originally published on April 8, 2024)

Note: The only change being made for this reposted NOFA is to extend the application submission deadline to Monday, July 15, 2024. Additionally, please note that there is an updated Frequently Asked Questions document (dated Monday, July 8, 2024). All other program requirements and information remain the same.

Notice of Funding Availability

The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (“NJEDA” or “Authority”) will open an online application for the competitive New Jersey Innovation Fellows Program (“NJIF” or the “Program”) at 10:00 AM on Monday, May 6, 2024. The application will close on Monday, July 15, 2024, at 5PM. The application can be accessed at: https://www.njeda.com/new-jersey-innovation-fellows-program/.

Purpose and Program Overview

The NJIF competitive grant program is structured to ignite early-stage innovation and entrepreneurship across key sectors by supporting first time entrepreneurs with income replacement grants. The program is designed as a springboard for early-stage business ideas to grow into functioning businesses within NJ’s innovative ecosystem. Acknowledging the myriad of challenges that confront individuals embarking on their entrepreneurship journey, the NJIF program seeks to facilitate entry and progression within the competitive landscape of innovation. The initiative is expressly designed to reduce the barriers nascent entrepreneurs face.

The program’s focus on supporting first time entrepreneurs as “New Jersey Innovation Fellows” is intended to cultivate a vibrant, diverse, and inclusive environment. A “first-time entrepreneur” is defined an entrepreneur who has never been listed as a founder, co-founder, or owner of a business entity which operated in a targeted industry (see below) in the State of New Jersey, and has not received third-party, institutional funding for past entrepreneurial opportunities in a targeted industry. At least half (50%) of the entrepreneur leadership must certify as “first-time entrepreneurs.”

NJIF also includes a focused aim to provide income-replacement funding thereby facilitating economic growth and job creation in eligible municipalities (see below). By offering the security of income during the nascent stages of business development, entrepreneurs are given the opportunity to fully commit to their venture. Income-replacement capital is purposed to replace a stream of income an entrepreneur might forego in order to launch an early-stage business. With the assistance to replace an entrepreneur’s income, the NJIF program supports individuals who possess the potential and drive to contribute significantly to their fields but currently lack the structure and financial resources.

Approved teams are qualified to a receive income-replacement capital during a 2-year “incubation” period of their business. Fellows will be provided with a full suite of support and resources to assist with transforming nascent ideas into viable products or services, including access to other local founders, mentorship by selected innovators and entrepreneurs, advisory support, office space and investors though the Program.

Funding

P.L.2021, c.160 (C.34:1B-370 through 34:1B-373) establishes the NJIF program. The Program utilizes a

$10 million legislative appropriation to provide to 5-8 teams of new entrepreneurs with the security of initial income replacement while pursuing the opportunity to start unique ventures. The minimum grant funding available is $200,000 and the maximum amount, including bonus, is $400,000. Funds will be disbursed over eight quarters, upon demonstration of satisfactory compliance with milestones. Grant funds must be used for income replacement to the entrepreneur leaders.

Eligibility

Eligible applicants for the NJIF program are teams seeking to open and operate a business in a targeted industry, which is located in an eligible municipality. Existing and already registered startups are not eligible for the program. Teams interested in applying for the program need to ensure they have not legally established a business entity. This requirement highlights the program’s intent to support projects at the earliest possible stage.

To be eligible for the Program, the applicants must meet the following criteria:

Entrepreneur Criteria

Eligible teams must consist of no less than three (3) individual entrepreneur leaders
At least half of the entrepreneur leadership team must certify as “first-time” entrepreneurs
All entrepreneur leaders must have paid gross-income tax to New Jersey at the time of application or within 60 days leading up to application
Entrepreneur leadership team must commit to continuing to pay gross income tax to New Jersey during the program’s two-year period
All entrepreneur leaders must commit to working on the business venture on a full-time basis (35 Hours) for two years following receipt of the fellowship grant
All entrepreneur leaders must commit to participate in a mentorship program for the program’s two-year duration

Proposed Business Venture Criteria

Proposed business venture must include a complete and well-written business plan available in presentation or “pitch deck” format
Proposed business venture must operate within New Jersey’s “Targeted Industries”
Proposed business venture must have an address located within an “Eligible Municipality” within New Jersey, which may include a commercial or residential address.
Entrepreneur Leaders must have majority equity interest (>50%) in the applicants’ proposed business venture

Other Eligibility Criteria

Proposed business venture must be registered with the State within 30 days of award notice in order to close on grant award, as evidenced by a valid business registration.
Current tax clearance certificate of the newly formed business
Grant funds must be used as income-replacement

Mentorship Program

All entrepreneur leaders will be required to participate in the mandatory mentorship program through the two-year duration of the fellowship program. The NJIF mentorship programming incorporates an integrated, multifaceted platform that fellows can leverage through live, synchronous online learning sessions on foundational topics, annual ecosystem engagement panel events, virtual open office hours with mentorship partners, mentor/mentee meetings with assigned mentors, and a number of in-person and virtual networking events they are able to attend.

The mentorship program is facilitated by New Jersey Innovation Institute (NJII) and Rowan Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (RCIE). The general curriculum trains the entrepreneurs in the following subject matters:

Managerial Finance, Accounting, & Financial Statements preparations
Human Resources development & management
Marketing & Customer Development
Product design, development & management
Capital sourcing & raise
Vision Mapping
Buyer Personas
Business Model Design
Contracts & Business structures (Legal studies)

Award Size

Per program policy and in accordance with the legislation, 5-8 approved teams will be qualified to receive

$200,000 as a base award, and up to $200,000 in bonus awards, resulting in a potential total award size of up to $400,000.

Bonuses include a $50,000 award if one entrepreneur on the team verifies residency in a designated Opportunity Zone in New Jersey. Opportunity zone means a federal population census tract in New Jersey that was eligible to be designated as a qualified opportunity zone pursuant to 26 U.S.C. s.1400Z-1.

Teams may also be awarded an additional $50,000 in bonuses for each entrepreneur leader, who self- certifies as a “diverse entrepreneur” (as defined in section 2 of P.L.1997, c.349 (C.54:10A-5.29) OR is a “graduate of a New Jersey college or university” (including 2yr, and 4yr schools) in the State, as evidenced by corresponding degree or certification documents.

“Diverse entrepreneur” is defined in N.J.S.A. 54:10A-5.29 as individuals meeting the criteria for “minority business” or “female business”, as defined in N.J.S.A. 52:32-19 as either “persons who are black, Hispanic, Portuguese, Asian-American, American Indian or Alaskan natives” or a woman. – Thus, the Authority will accept an individual entrepreneur’s minority self-certification, if the individual identifies as one of the ethnic and racial categories recognized for minority-owned businesses for the purposes of State certification or identifies as a woman.

Application and Review Process

Applications for the NJIF competitive grant program will be accepted during distinct application rounds, where the application and any required supporting information will be made available on the NJEDA website. Each application period will be preceded by a 30-day open Q&A period, followed by a 60-day application period (approximately). NJEDA anticipates at least 4 application periods (average of 1 to 2 annually) until the grant funds are exhausted. The NJEDA may choose in its sole discretion to extend the application window.

All applications to the Program, must include the following documentation:

To apply, applicants must register and log into the online application portal, complete all required portions of the application questions fully, and upload all required PDF documents and attachments. The online application enables applicants to electronically upload signed PDF. All applicants must submit their applications by the deadline.
Applications must include an organizational chart and individual resumes of entrepreneur leadership team detailing education, professional and volunteer experiences, and any relevant skills, training, or certificates
All entrepreneur leaders must provide personal address documentation
All entrepreneur leaders must provide proof of NJ gross-income tax paid at the time of application or within 60 days leading up to application
A complete and well-written business plan available in presentation or “pitch deck” format for the proposed business venture. See sample pitch deck on the NJIF program page (https://www.njeda.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/IEF-Business-Plan-Template_First- Draft.pptx)

If approved, applicants are required to register their business with the State of New Jersey within thirty (30) days of notice of their award letter. Prior to the disbursement of funds and receipt of a grant agreement from the Authority, the applicants must submit the below documentation acceptable to the Authority in its sole discretion:

Formation and Business Registration Documents of Newly Formed Business
A Valid NJ Tax Clearance Certificate
Payroll Service Provider Contract (e.g., Bank payroll agreement & accounts, Payroll software subscription, Payroll service provider agreement)

The following steps detail the application submission and review process:

A document completeness and eligibility review will be done at the end the application period.
Applicants with missing required documentation will be declined. Only completed applications will be evaluated and move on to be scored. At the request of the Authority, applicants may provide clarifying information within 10 business days. If at the end of this 10-business day period, the applicant is non-responsive, the application will be deemed withdrawn. If certification or verification for any bonus category is not received by the application deadline, neither bonus points nor bonus awards will be applied.

Competitive Scoring

Following review of eligibility, complete applications will be evaluated and scored against other applications received during the application period. An evaluation committee comprised of New Jersey Economic Development Authority (“NJEDA”) staff and subject matter experts (SMEs) on the Diversity Finance Advisory Board (DFAB) will facilitate the competitive review. The top 8 ranked applications will be submitted to the NJEDA Board of the Authority for final approval.

The evaluation committee will review applications on the basis of an applicant’s idea, operations, and management activities. Applicants may achieve a maximum of 29 possible points based on the following criteria:

Business Plan Scoring: 0 – 5 points // These five (5) questions, each worth one point, will evaluate the clarity of the applicant plans identifying and analyzing its total addressable market (TAM), report on the competitive landscape, go-to-market plan, and a clearly articulated value proposition. A hypothetical score is filled-in below.
Operations Scoring: 0 – 4 points // These four (4) questions, each worth one point, evaluates clear articulation of finance & accounting management plans, subject matter competencies amongst the applicants’ managing entrepreneurs, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion considerations, and clearly delineated roles and responsibilities amongst the managing entrepreneurs; and clear articulation of needed resources.
Management Scoring: 4 – 20 points // These four (4) questions, each worth 5 points, evaluate years of management and/or general professional experience; years of relevant industry expertise; expertise and competency in sales, operations, product development and finance.

Authority staff will recommend the top eight scoring (8) applications to the Authority’s board for the award, contingent on the outcome of any appeals. The scoring criteria is included in Appendix E of the board memo.

Grant Disbursement and Compliance Obligations:

The term of the grant is to be 24 months from the effective date of the grant agreement. Awarded grants will be disbursed equally over the course of eight (8) quarters following EDA Board approval. The first disbursement will be issued upon the effective date of the grant agreement. Subsequent disbursements will be made upon submission of quarterly deliverables due 45 business days following the end of each calendar quarter upon the NJEDA’s receipt review and satisfactory approval of the following quarterly compliance documents:

Quarterly

A Certified Organizational Chart
Quarterly management-prepared financial statements
Third-party verification of NJ gross income tax withheld and paid for all entrepreneur leaders (i.e., paystubs and NJWR30)
Quarterly Mentorship Engagement & Compliance Form evidencing regular attendance and engagement in mentorship program/curriculum sessions, signed by the program instructor/advisor.
Evidence that business remains located in an Eligible Municipality as demonstrated by the business registered address (P.O. boxes are not acceptable business addresses);
New Jersey Innovation Fellow Grant Program Disbursement Request & Certification form

Annual

Individual NJ income tax payment as evidenced by tax filings that demonstrate equitable pay to the management team
Annual accountant prepared financial statements for the business

The Authority reserves the right to request additional information not specifically listed to determine compliance with Program requirements.

Fees

There is a $250 application fee due at the time of application submission. Applications will not be considered complete without payment of the application fee. No fee waivers.

Additional Requirements and Information

A Program Guide can be found Here:

Questions concerning this Program’s Notice of Funding Availability should be submitted to NJInnovationFellows@njeda.gov .

The NJEDA is subject to State and Federal statutes including, but not limited to, the following, which may impact affiliates: N.J.S.A. 52:32-60.1, et seq., which prevents the New Jersey government entities from certain dealings with businesses engaged in prohibited activities in Belarus or Russia; Compliance with the list of “Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons” promulgated by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), https://sanctionssearch.ofac.treas.gov; N.J.S.A. 24:6I-49 which provides that the following are not eligible for most State or local economic incentives (a) a person or entity issued a license to operate as a cannabis cultivator, manufacturer, wholesaler, distributor, retailer, or delivery service, or that employs a certified personal use cannabis handler to perform work for or on behalf of a cannabis establishment, distributor, or delivery service; and (b) a property owner, developer, or operator of a project to be used, in whole or in part, by or to benefit a cannabis cultivator, manufacturer, wholesaler, distributor, retailer, or delivery service, or to employ a certified personal use cannabis handler to perform work for or on behalf of a cannabis establishment, distributor, or delivery service; and N.J.S.A. 52:13D-12, et seq., which prohibits a member of the Legislature or a State officer or employee or their partners or a corporation in which they owns or controls more than 1% of the stock to undertake or execute any contract, agreement, sale, or purchase of $25.00 or more, made, entered into, awarded or granted by any State agency, with certain limited exceptions.

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Maternal and Infant Health Research and Development (R&D) Grant Program, Round 2 (Published June 3, 2024)

Notice of Funding Availability

The New Jersey Commission on Science, Innovation and Technology (“CSIT”) will launch an online application for the Maternal and Infant Health Research and Development (R&D) Grant Program, Round 2 (“Program”) at 9am on Monday, June 17, 2024 at www.njeda.com/csit. Applications will be accepted through Friday, July 26, 2024 at 5pm.

The Program has a total budget of $1,550,000 for 20 grant awards of up to $75,000 each. This is a competitive grant program. No application, transaction, or termination fees will be collected by CSIT for this program. This program is funded from CSIT FY24 budget. Decisions on this grant award are expected to be made by 4th quarter of 2024.

Purpose and Funding

This grant opportunity is issued by the New Jersey Commission on Science, Innovation and Technology. The goal of the Program is to support innovation from researchers and entrepreneurs focused on developing technology, therapeutics, and other solutions to address maternal and infant health challenges in New Jersey. The grant will engage early-stage innovation-based companies in New Jersey and help to accelerate research and development of technologies, transforming new discoveries from research stage into commercially viable products and services. The grant funds will support the research and development of technologies, products and services that enhance the quality of care for and service delivery activities to women, infants, and healthcare agencies from prenatal care through the postpartum period.

Total funding this Program will be $1,550,000 from the CSIT FY2024 Budget.

Program Overview

The Maternal and Infant Health R&D Grant Program is for companies conducting research and development or testing technologies related to maternal and infant health in the following target areas:

Life Sciences – (e.g., therapeutic drug development, medical devices);
Technology (e.g., digital and telehealth services and platform development, mental health services); and
Food and beverage (non-retail).

Grants will be awarded on a competitive basis, with awards going to the twenty highest scoring applicants, provided each of those highest scoring applicants has met the minimum score of 70, until program funds are expended.

Each approved grant will be valid for a period of twelve months from the date of the execution of the grant agreement. Any unused portion of the grant will be cancelled after the 12 months and must be returned to CSIT. An extension for up to an additional 3 months may be permitted at the sole discretion of CSIT.

Eligibility

Each applicant to the Program must meet the following eligibility criteria at the time of application and during the entire review and approval period to be eligible for an award:

Be authorized and in good standing to conduct business in NJ. Have a current valid NJ tax clearance certificate addressed to New Jersey Commission on Science, Innovation and Technology. All certificates listing another state agency will be rejected.
Have no more than 50 full-time equivalent (“FTE”) workers (FTE is calculated on a 35-hour work week) at time of application.
Have a minimum of one full-time worker (35 hours per week basis). A founder can be counted as a worker, and a worker may be paid or unpaid.
Fifty percent or more of the cumulative hours worked by all workers, founders, and contractors must be conducted in NJ (as calculated on an FTE basis of 35 hours per week).
Have less than or equal to five million dollars ($5,000,000) in prior calendar year sales revenue (excluding grant revenue).
Applicants are limited to a single application. Multiple applications from the same company will not be accepted.
Recipients of two or more active CSIT Seed and/or Demonstration Grants are ineligible for this Program.

Eligible and Ineligible Uses

The Maternal and Infant Health R&D Grant Program funding can be used to maintain project activities and cover general operating costs.

The following expense categories are ineligible for funding by this grant:

Direct counseling and clinical services,
Manufacturing of products for sale or commercial use,
Real estate rental expenses,
Patient clinical trial expenses,
Construction costs.

In addition, no more than 30% of the budget proposed for the applicant’s project, in the aggregate, may be spent on IP patent prosecution and licensing-related expenses.

Project Modification

Any intended changes to project scope of work or budget must be first requested in writing to CSIT prior to modification of project by submitting the request to: csitmaternal@njcsit.gov.

Disbursement of funds

Funds will be dispersed on a milestone basis. Each milestone will have deliverables, which must be submitted and approved before receiving the funding for that specific milestone.

First Milestone: Eighty percent (80%) of the grant will be disbursed upon execution of a grant agreement.
Second Milestone: Final twenty percent (20%) of the grant will be disbursed upon submission of an approved Economic Impact Report and Final Project Completion Report (approximately 12 months after execution of grant agreement).

Application Process

All applications to the Program must include the following documentation:

Completed online application. Applicants can only submit one application for this grant. Multiple applications from the same company will NOT be accepted. Recipients of two or more active CSIT Seed or Demonstration Grants are ineligible for this Program.
Evidence that proof of concept has been achieved for the project. Submit one or more of the following:
Budget and Milestone Proposals (Excel template embedded within online application)
Employee information as appropriate for applicable company structure and staffing -i.e., most recent NJ WR-30 (W2 employees) or 1099 (contractors), Shareholder Agreement or K- 1, or offer letters. Please note that if a Professional Employment Organization (PEO) is utilized, the applicant must submit confirmation of PEO-A form issued by the New Jersey Department of Labor (DOL). These confirmations are issued on an annual basis and are valid for a year. See https://www.nj.gov/labor/ea/employer-services/leasing-companies/ for additional information on PEOs.
Summary of most recent Internal Payroll (Q4 2023 or Q1 2024) indicating each employee name and number of hours worked per week.
Most recent Company tax filing; Federal 941 and either an NJ-CBT-100 (Schedule A), Form- 1065 or Form -1040 (Schedule C) or whichever is applicable to the organizational form of your business, showing the total Gross Receipts or Sales for the year.
Current valid NJ tax clearance certificate listing CSIT as the agency, available at https://www16.state.nj.us/NJ_PREMIER_EBIZ/jsp/home.jsp. DUE No Later Than August 16, 2024, or application will be withdrawn. NJ certificates may not be immediately available; therefore, these should be applied for well before the August 16, 2024 due date.
If applicable, copy of New Jersey certification for Woman, Minority, Veteran or LGBTQ+ owned business.
Certification information available at https://www.njportal.com/DOR/SBERegistry/Default/
DUE No Later Than August 16, 2024, or relevant bonus points will not be awarded.
If applicable, a copy of Executed University License Agreement with University. DUE No Later Than August 16, 2024, or relevant bonus points will not be awarded.

j. Completed Application Certification

k. Completed CSIT Legal Debarment Questionnaire

l. For companies with a dba name (“doing business as”), CSIT requires proof of NJ registration reflecting the same.

The following steps detail the application submission and review process:

A document completeness review will be done as applications are received.
An evaluation committee comprised of CSIT and New Jersey Economic Development Authority staff will review and assign a score to each application, after receiving qualitative input from Subject Matter Experts (“SMEs”).

At the sole discretion of CSIT, staff may ask for clarification of the information included in the application, including, but not limited to, narrative responses, supporting documentation, and attachments. Applicants will have 10 business days to provide missing or incomplete documents. Applicants should submit the missing documentation electronically to csitmaternal@njcsit.gov with the email subject line “Maternal and Infant Health Program Round 2 – Missing Documentation Submission – [Company Name].”

Scoring

Applicants must achieve a minimum score of 70 points (out of a total 100 points) to be eligible for a grant. An evaluation committee comprised of CSIT and NJEDA staff will review and assign a score to each application, after receiving qualitative input from Subject Matter Experts. Scoring will be based on:

Innovation (up to 30 points)
Market Opportunity and Strategy (up to 20 points) (Referred to as “Go-to Market Strategy” and “Market Opportunity and Strategy” scoring criteria in prior rounds)
Implementation plan – budget and milestones (up to 20 points)
Economic and Broader impacts, such as social, health, education, housing, safety, infrastructure impacts (up to10 points)
Team (up to 20 points)

Applicants that achieve a minimum score of 70 points may also be eligible for the following bonus points:

NJ certified women-owned business (10 points)
NJ certified minority-owned business (10 points)
NJ certified veteran-owned business (10 points)
Company is using technology initially developed at a NJ university, under an executed license agreement with such university (15 points)
Primary place of business/research & development located within an opportunity zone eligible census tract or government restricted municipality (Trenton, Paterson, Atlantic City) (5 points)
Has not previously received a CSIT grant or voucher (10 points)

Board Approval

The CSIT Program Committee will review scored applications and make funding recommendations to the CSIT Board for applications that receive a minimum score of 70 points. The CSIT Board will make the final decision on grant awards and declination on or about 4^th quarter 2024.

Fees

No application, transaction, or termination fees will be collected by CSIT for this program.

Additional Requirements and Information

Applicants must be in good standing with both the New Jersey Department of Labor (“DOL”) and New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (“DEP”) to be eligible for a grant award.

For three years from the date of the grant agreement, workers and consultants for the company must conduct at least 50% of their work in a NJ location. Failure to comply will be a condition of default of the grant and may result in the full re-payment of the grant.

All grant awardees must provide an economic impact report to CSIT upon the completion of the project (up to 12 months) and then yearly for an additional two years (due on February 1^stin subsequent years).

All grant awardees are encouraged to commit to participate in one check-in meeting (in-person or virtual) six months from the start of Project term with the CSIT team for update on project.

Confidentiality

Applications received will be reviewed only by staff of CSIT, NJEDA and SMEs. All applications submitted will be subject to requests for disclosure, including but not limited to, requests pursuant to the Open Public Records Act (“OPRA”) N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1 et seq. If an applicant believes that information contained in its proposal merits confidential treatment pursuant to OPRA, any such purportedly confidential information submitted to CSIT must be specifically identified and marked as “confidential” by the applicant.

Contact Information

All questions concerning this Notice of Funding Availability must be directed to CSIT by email to csitmaternal@njcsit.gov. All answers will be posted publicly in the form of a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) document which will be posted on the CSIT website prior to the application deadline.

Website: https://www.njeda.gov/csit
Email: csitmaternal@njcsit.gov

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Local Property Acquisition Grant Pilot Program (Revised on May 8, 2024, originally published on January 11, 2024)

Revision extends the application deadline from May 20, 2024 5PM to June 10, 2024 5PM. Please note that all questions must be submitted to realestateinfo@njeda.gov by the prior deadline of May 20^th, 2024 at 5pm. No questions will be answered after that deadline.

Notice of Funding Availability

The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (“NJEDA” or “Authority”) will begin accepting applications for the pilot Local Property Acquisition Grant Program (“Program”) on January 18, 2024 at 10:00am EST. Applications must be submitted by June 10, 2024 at 5:00pm. The application can be accessed at: Local Property Acquisition Grant Program – NJEDA .

The Program will make available $24 million in grant funding through a competitive application process to eligible applicants for acquisition in order to facilitate and enable future redevelopment of properties and in support of local or regional economic development plans and priorities.

Applications will be reviewed on a competitive basis. A $1,000 application fee is required at the time of application.

Overview

The Program is designed to address a significant barrier to undertaking and implementing local development and redevelopment projects. Program Grants will be provided to municipalities, municipal entities, counties, county entities, and/or not-for-profit local economic and community development entities for the acquisition of a vacant site, building, facility, or collection of properties (“Project”). The grant funding would help facilitate and enable the future redevelopment of the property(ies) within a defined time period and in support of local or regional economic development plans and priorities (referred to below as the “Supplemental Use”).

In order to provide grant funding to support projects in several municipalities, a maximum of one Project may be funded per product category, as described below (“Acquisitions for Strategic Public Use” or “Acquisitions for Future Development Projects”), that are located within a municipality. However, a maximum of two Projects may be funded per product category that are located within either a Transitional Aid Community (as determined by the Division of Local Government Services in the Department of Community Affairs) or a Government Restricted Municipality (as defined in Sections 55 and 69 of the Economic Recovery Act of 2020) may be funded.

The Program has a budget of $24 million to support eligible local government entities and not-for-profit, local economic and community development entities with the acquisition of property(ies) to further redevelopment efforts. Funding for the program is provided by Governor Murphy’s Fiscal Year 2023 Appropriations Act, which allocates significant State funding for numerous strategic economic development investments to support key industries, advance the innovation economy, continue to bolster recovery, and spur statewide growth.

Program Description

The Program will support two types of products:

(1) Approximately $3 million will be available for Acquisitions for Strategic Public Use Projects, and

(2) Approximately $21 million will be available for Acquisitions for Future Development Projects.

1. Acquisitions for Strategic Public Use Projects Product

Property acquisition(s) for the the proposed subsequent Strategic Public Use project must foster or support existing, ongoing, or planned development as part of an overall plan for property improvements and increased public access in the area proximate to the property.

Eligible Supplemental Uses must be publicly accessible spaces for the community which may include pedestrian plazas, pocket-parks, community parks, community gardens, public walkway/access, public parking lots/garages, or other similar public spaces.

Ineligible types of Supplemental Uses include public infrastructure projects, such as for transportation, energy, communication, water, wastewater, or general public works.

The minimum grant funding request is $50,000 and the maximum requested amount is $1,000,000.

2. Acquisitions for Future Development Projects Product

Property acquisition(s) and the proposed subsequent Future Development Project must support planned development/redevelopment efforts in the area proximate to the Property to be acquired.

Eligible Supplemental Uses for Future Development Projects (substantial rehabilitation and/or new construction) are limited to:

Mixed-use developments; any residential portion must comply with the 20% reservation for low- and moderate-income households required by N.J.S.A. 52:27D-329.9(b)
Transit Oriented Development
Cultural, Arts, Performing Arts
Commercial (including office and/or supermarkets/grocery stores)
Manufacturing/Industrial
Research/Laboratory

Supplemental Uses for Future Development Projects consisting solely of warehouse, residential, or primarily for government/educational uses are ineligible for funding.

The minimum grant funding request is $50,000 and the maximum requested amount is $4,000,000.

Note: As part of the application process, applicants must describe in detail the Supplemental Use based on the parameters for the respective Strategic Public Use and/or the Future Development Projects product which they apply to. The restrictions and compliance monitoring with regard to the proposed use are described below.

The Program is intended to provide funding for acquisitions of properties that are then developed/redeveloped in connection with or in support of local planning efforts and cannot be used for land banking of properties.Therefore, property acquisitions are anticipated to occur within 18 months of the grant funding award and the future Supplemental Use would typically be undertaken and completed within three years following the property acquisition. The required deadlines for the property acquisition and commencement and completion of the Supplemental Use project will be based on the applicant’s schedule.

Eligibility

Eligible applicants for the Program are municipalities, municipal entities, counties, county entities, and not-for-profit local economic and community development entities.

To be eligible for the Program, the applicant must:

Be in substantial good standing with the NJ Department of Labor and Workforce Development and the NJ Department of Environmental Protection at the time of application.
Provide a current tax clearance certificate prior to approval to demonstrate being in substantial good standing with the NJ Division of Taxation prior to approval, unless the applicant is not required to register with the NJ Division of Taxation.

Eligible Uses

Grant funding can only be used for prospective real estate acquisition and related closing costs of the Project specifically approved based on the application, Authority review, and the grant agreement. Grant funding can be used for closing costs that are typically included as part of a closing settlement statement and related transaction legal costs. Grant funding cannot be used for due diligence-related costs.

Properties already purchased or acquired are not eligible for reimbursement through this Program. Grant funding cannot be used for purchase of government-owned property.

Grant Amounts

The minimum grant funding is $50,000 per Project. The maximum grant funding for acquisitions for Strategic Public Use projects is $1,000,000.

The maximum grant funding for acquisitions for Future Development projects is $4,000,000.

Grant funding may not exceed 80% of the property appraised value plus closing costs typically included as part of a settlement statement and related transaction legal costs. However, for projects located within either a Transitional Aid Community or a Government Restricted Municipality, Grant funding may account for 100% of the property appraised value plus closing costs typically included as part of a settlement statement and related transaction legal costs.

No applicant may receive more than two grant awards.

Application Submission and Review Process (including Scoring)

Applications for the Program will not be accepted after the deadline of June 10, 2024 at 5:00pm. To apply, an applicant must register, or log into the online application portal, complete all required application questions fully, and upload all required PDF document attachments. NJEDA staff will review all applications for completeness. At the sole discretion of the Authority, NJEDA staff may ask for any necessary clarifications to the application, including but not limited to responses, documentation, and attachments. The applicants will have 10 business days to respond to cure any deficiencies. If at the end of the cure period, the applicant is non-responsive, the application will not be advancing to be scored and will be deemed withdrawn.

Each application must contain the following:

Evidence of site control or a path to site control (i.e. some level of right to acquire the property/ies) which may include letter of intent, purchase offer with purchase terms, purchase and sale agreement contingent on funding award, any/all of which must be fully signed by both seller and purchaser/applicant; or in rare situations may include an accepted settlement agreement as part of approved eminent domain proceedings and/or other final decision of an administrative or judicial governmental process resulting in the transfer of title or possession
Municipal Letter of Support
Project overview – description of overall proposal for the acquisition and the proposed future Supplemental Use, describing the property/building(s) (i.e. vacant, abandoned, code violations, recent uses, any local, state, or federal historic designation/eligibility, brownfield site, location within designated redevelopment area, etc.); current or planned development/redevelopment efforts in the area proximate to the Property; need for and benefits of the proposal, anticipated economic and local impact, consistency with state and local economic development objectives, projected jobs creation, anticipated local impacts including possible projected increase in pedestrian traffic and public access;
Project location – description of neighborhood and surrounding area, whether an incentive area, walkable area, brownfields or historic designation, other development occurring near/surrounding the proposed project;
Narrative (and documents as may be applicable) describing the viability/feasibility of the proposed acquisition and development including current zoning status, local supports, identification of possible complexities or challenges with proceeding, and a preliminary project budget and funding plan;
Project development timeline/implementation schedule indicating readiness to proceed for both the acquisition of the property/ies and for the future supplemental use;
Applicant’s organizational documentation and/or authorizing documentation;
Narrative and documentation of experience and capacity to undertake and complete the property acquisition and the proposed supplemental use;
Project Budget including property(ies) acquisition price(s) and closing costs and proposed source and status of other funding for the property acquisition.

Note: Project viability and readiness to proceed/timelines are scoring factors and considerations. Applicants should provide as much detail as possible regarding the steps involved and projected timeline for the initial property acquisition as well as for undertaking and completing the future Supplemental Use project, if Grant funds are awarded.

Applications deemed complete will be reviewed and scored by an evaluation scoring committee that will be comprised of NJEDA staff. Applications will be scored on a scale of 0 – 100 points. based on the following criteria:

Overall project concept for Property Acquisition and the proposed Supplemental Use of the property (up to 35 points)
Location and Local Impact (up to 20 points)
Experience & capacity of applicant (up to 20 points)
Readiness to proceed with Property Acquisition (up to 10 points)
Viability of the proposed Supplemental Use project and reasonableness of the proposed timeline for the Supplemental Use project (up to 15 points)

Applications that meet a minimum score of 65 will be eligible to be recommended to the NJEDA Board for grant funding approval, starting with the highest scored application until all program funding is awarded. If all program funds are not awarded during the initial application period, then applications will be reopened on a rolling basis and grants will be awarded on a first come, first served basis to eligible applicants that meet the minimum score of 65 points.

All eligible applications will proceed to the Board for approvals, and all applications which will be declined for discretionary reasons will also proceed to the Board.

Grant Agreement

Authority’s sole discretion, the Authority may grant up to two six-month extensions. The applicant will be responsible for assuring the compliance of the Project with all terms and conditions of the Grant Agreement and the Program funding requirements.

All Strategic Public Use and Future Development Projects that are developed/redeveloped as a result of Local Property Acquisition Grant Program funding shall be subject to compliance with New Jersey prevailing wage law and compliance with other labor standards requirements, as well as other state requirements which may be applicable depending on project details and funding amounts including possibly New Jersey Executive Order 215 of 1989 regarding Environmental Assessments.

Property Sales/Transfers

The Grant Agreement will also detail the Authority’s rights for approval of any sale/transfer of the Property(ies) including reviewing the reasonableness of the proposed sales/pricing. The Grant Agreement will further indicate that prior to the sale of a property for a Future Development Project, the pplicant/grantee will submit to the Authority the proposed sales contract and the proposed Future Development Project financials for the Authority’s review and approval.

If the proposed sales price is equal to or greater than the fair market value (based on appraisal), then upon sale of a property for a Future Development Project, the Authority will allow an applicant/grantee to retain up to 15% of the Grant amount as an administrative fee. The applicant/grantee shall return to the Authority an amount equal to: the Authority’s proportionate share of the future sales price of the property/ies minus 15% of the EDA Grant amount attributable to the original property/ies acquisition.

If the proposed sales price is less than the fair market value (based on appraisal), the Authority will then review the project financials that the designated developer/redeveloper proposes against the Authority’s financial analysis hurdle rate model to ensure that the sales price and project financials are reasonable (at or below the hurdle rate). If project financials and estimated internal rate of return are at or below the hurdle rate, then upon sale of a property for a Future Development Project, the Authority will allow an applicant/grantee to retain up to 15% of the Grant amount as an administrative fee. The applicant/grantee shall return to the Authority an amount equal to: the Authority’s proportionate share of the future sales price of the property/ies minus 15% of the EDA Grant amount attributable to the original property/ies acquisition.

If the proposed sales price is less than the fair market value (based on appraisal) and the project financials and estimated internal rate of return are above the hurdle rate, the proposed future sales transaction would require Authority Board review.

Grant Funding Disbursements

The Authority will disburse grants only to the applicant. The grant funds will be disbursed for the Project (the acquisition of the property/ies approved for funding) and upon documentation of acquisition and related closing costs. If other funding sources are part of the approved project, then the grant funds would be prorated per the approved project budget.

Fees

A $1,000 non-refundable application fee is required at the time of application submission.

Pursuant to N.J.A.C. 19:30-6.7, which permits fee waivers under certain conditions, the NJEDA will approve a fee waiver for municipal/municipal entity applicants of municipalities with 2020 Municipal Revitalization Index scores in the top 10% statewide. NJEDA staff will determine if the applicant entity meets the criteria to be granted a waiver for the Program. Ineligible entities will be notified and a cure in the form of fees payment will be requested to complete the application.

Additional Requirements and Information

Comprehensive information about the Local Property Acquisition Grant Program is available at Local Property Acquisition Grant Program – NJEDA.

Questions concerning this Program’s Notice of Funding Availability should be submitted to realestateinfo@njeda.gov.

The NJEDA is subject to State and Federal statutes including but not limited to the following which may impact affiliates: N.J.S.A. 52:32-60.1, et seq., which prevents the New Jersey government entities from certain dealings with businesses engaged in prohibited activities in Belarus or Russia; Compliance with the list of “Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons” promulgated by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), https://sanctionssearch.ofac.treas.gov; N.J.S.A. 24:6I-49 which provides that the following are not eligible for most State or local economic incentives (a) a person or entity issued a license to operate as a cannabis cultivator, manufacturer, wholesaler, distributor, retailer, or delivery service, or that employs a certified personal use cannabis handler to perform work for or on behalf of a cannabis establishment, distributor, or delivery service; and (b) a property owner, developer, or operator of a project to be used, in whole or in part, by or to benefit a cannabis cultivator, manufacturer, wholesaler, distributor, retailer, or delivery service, or to employ a certified personal use cannabis handler to perform work for or on behalf of a cannabis establishment, distributor, or delivery service; and N.J.S.A. 52:13D-12, et seq., which prohibits a member of the Legislature or a State officer or employee or their partners or a corporation in which they owns or controls more than 1% of the stock to undertake or execute any contract, agreement, sale, or purchase of $25.00 or more, made, entered into, awarded or granted by any State agency, with certain limited exceptions.

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Pilot Clean Tech Demonstration Grant Program, Round 2 (Published May 3rd, 2024)

Note: This Notice of Funding Availability was revised on May 28th, 2024 to correct the submission due date for certain application support materials and the OFAC reference.

Notice of Funding Availability

The New Jersey Commission on Science, Innovation and Technology (“CSIT”) will launch an online application for Pilot Clean Tech Demonstration Grant Program, Round 2 (“Program”) at 9am on June 3, 2024 at www.njeda.com/csit. Applications will be accepted through July 12, 2024 at 5pm.

The Program has a total budget of $3,750,000 for 15 grant awards of up to $250,000 each. This is a competitive grant program. No application, transaction, or termination fees will be collected by CSIT for this program. Decisions on this grant award are expected to be made by 4th quarter of 2024.

Purpose and Funding

This grant opportunity is issued by the New Jersey Commission on Science, Innovation and Technology (CSIT). The goal of the Program is to help early-stage clean tech innovation-based companies in New Jersey (“NJ”) accelerate development of technologies to transform new discoveries from research stage into commercially viable products and services. The purpose of the grant is to enable recipients to make significant progress by demonstrating capabilities in a real-world setting, and to have a meaningful impact on commercialization outcomes. Companies must be developing or testing clean technologies intended to avoid emissions of, or recapture, of greenhouse gases and/or criteria pollutants, or to enable such avoidance or recapture.

Total funding for Round 2 of the Pilot Clean Tech Demonstration Grant Program (“Program”) will be

$3,750,000 from the 2023 BPU Funds provided to CSIT under the 4^th Clean Energy and Clean Tech Innovation Memorandum of Understanding between NJEDA and NJCSIT executed (November 3, 2023).

Program Overview

The Program will fund pilot demonstration projects between Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) 6 (Applied Research) through TRL 8 (Integrated Pilot System Demonstrated) intended to avoid emissions of, or recapture, greenhouse gases and/or criteria pollutants,

or to enable such avoidance or recapture. The following technology areas are eligible under the program:

Chemicals/Advance Materials
Energy Distribution/Storage
Energy Efficiency
Energy Generation
Green Buildings
Transportation
Waste Processing
Water and Agriculture

Grants will be awarded on a competitive basis, with awards going to the fifteen (15) highest scoring applicants, provided each of those highest scoring applicants has met the minimum score of 70.

Each approved grant will be valid for a period of twenty-four (24) months from the date of the execution of the grant agreement. Any unused portion of the grant will be cancelled after the 24 months and must be returned to CSIT. An extension for up to an additional three (3) months may be permitted at the sole discretion of CSIT.

Eligibility

Each applicant to the Program must meet the following eligibility criteria at the time of application and during the entire review and approval period to be eligible for an award:

Be authorized and in good standing to conduct business in NJ. Have a current valid NJ tax clearance certificate addressed to New Jersey Commission on Science, Innovation and Technology. All certificates listing another state agency will be rejected.
Have no more than 50 full-time equivalent (“FTE”) workers (FTE is calculated on a 35-hour work week) at time of application.
Have a minimum of two full-time workers (35 hours per week basis). A founder can be counted as a worker, and a worker may be paid or unpaid.
Fifty percent or more of the cumulative hours worked by all workers, founders, and contractors must be conducted in NJ (as calculated on an FTE basis of 35 hours per week).
Have less than or equal to five million dollars ($5,000,000) in prior calendar year sales revenue (excluding grant revenue).
- Applicants should have achieved a Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) 6 (Applied Research) through TRL 8 (Integrated Pilot System Demonstrated) for their project proposed for funding.
The Pilot Demonstration Project must be conducted in New Jersey. The Pilot Demonstration Project is defined as the core project proposed by the Applicant.
- Applicants must have a letter from one or more strategic partners confirming the strategic partner’s willingness to conduct the pilot demonstration project, subject to receipt of funding, and describing their role in the Pilot Demonstration Project (e.g. providing a location/facility, conducting testing or evaluation etc.)
- Applicants are limited to a single application.
- Recipients of two or more active CSIT Seed and/or Demonstration Grants are ineligible for this Program.

Eligible Uses

The grant funding can be utilized for project demonstration activities specified in the application including:

Labor costs related to the pilot demonstration
Materials, equipment, and supplies for the pilot demonstration
Travel expenses related to the pilot demonstration
Other operating costs incurred during the pilot demonstration.

NOTE: If the demonstration project will involve construction, reconstruction, demolition, custom fabrication, repair work, or maintenance work, including painting and decorating, with construction costs totaling $2,000 or more, and award of a construction contract, the project must comply with the NJ Department of Labor’s Public Works Contractor Registration Act, the NJEDA’s Prevailing Wage statutes and rules, and NJEDA’s Affirmative Action statutes and rules .

In addition, no more than 10% of the budget proposed for the applicant’s project, in the aggregate, may be spent on IP patent prosecution and licensing-related expenses.

Project Modification

Any intended changes to project scope of work or budget must be requested in writing to CSIT prior to modification of project (csitcleandemo@njcsit.gov)

Ineligible Uses

The following expense categories are ineligible for funding by this grant:

Direct services to individuals or organizations
Manufacturing of products for sale or commercial use
Real estate rental expenses
Patient clinical trial expenses
Marketing and customer discovery
Travel, entertainment, and other similar expenses
Allocations of general overhead expenses
Any expenditures incurred before the grant agreement is signed by both the

grantee and CSIT

Any expenses for equipment and materials that applicant does not use for the Project during the Project period
Fees related to conferences

Sixty percent (60%) of the grant will be disbursed upon execution of a grant agreement.
Thirty percent (30%) will be disbursed when interim milestones stated in the proposal are reached, and with submission of an approved interim Project Completion Report (approximately 12-months after execution of grant agreement).
Final ten percent (10%) of the grant will be disbursed upon submission of an approved an Economic Impact Report and Final Project Completion Report (approximately 24-months after execution of grant agreement).

Application Process

All applications to the Program must include the following documentation:

Completed online application

Evidence that proof of concept has been achieved for the project. Submit

one or more of the following:

Description of the proof-of-concept results
- Published paper outlining results achieved
- Successful completion of a federal SBIR/STTR grant or contract related to the project
- Confirmation documentation from a university tech transfer office if the project relates to technology that has been developed at the same university
Budget and Milestone Proposals (Excel template embedded within online application)
Employee information as appropriate for applicable company structure and staffing -i.e., most recent NJ WR-30 (W2 employees) or 1099 (contractors), Shareholder Agreement or K- 1, or offer letters. Please note that if a Professional Employment Organization (PEO) is utilized, the

applicant must submit confirmation of PEO-A form issued by the New Jersey Department of Labor (DOL). These confirmations are issued on an annual basis and are valid for a year. See https://www.nj.gov/labor/ea/employer-services/leasing-companies/ for additional information on PEOs.

Summary of most recent Internal Payroll (Q4 2023 or Q1 2024) indicating each employee name and number of hours worked per week.

Most recent Company tax filing; Federal 941 and either an NJ-CBT-100 (Schedule A), Form- 1065 or Form -1040 (Schedule C) or whichever is applicable to the organizational form of your business, showing the total Gross Receipts or Sales for the year.
Current valid NJ tax clearance certificate listing CSIT as the agency, available at https://www16.state.nj.us/NJ_PREMIER_EBIZ/jsp/home.jsp. DUE No Later Than August 1, 2024 , or application will be withdrawn. NJ certificates may not be immediately available; therefore, these should be applied for well before the August 1, 2024 due date.
If applicable, copy of New Jersey certification for Woman, Minority, Veteran or LGBTQ+ owned business. Certification information available at https://www.njportal.com/DOR/SBERegistry/Default/

DUE No Later Than August 1, 2024 or relevant bonus points will not be awarded.

If applicable, a copy of Executed University License Agreement with University. DUE No Later Than August 1, 2024, or relevant bonus points will not be awarded.

Completed Application Certification
Completed CSIT Legal Debarment Questionnaire

For companies with a dba name (“doing business as”), CSIT requires proof of NJ registration reflecting the same.
A letter from one or more strategic partners confirming the strategic partner’s willingness to conduct the pilot demonstration project and describing their role.

The following steps detail the application submission and review process:

A document completeness review will be done as applications are received.
An evaluation committee comprised of CSIT and New Jersey Economic Development Authority (“NJEDA”) staff will review and assign a score to each application, after receiving qualitative input from subject matter experts (“SMEs”).

At the sole discretion of CSIT, staff may ask for clarification of the information included in the application, including, but not limited to, narrative responses, supporting documentation, and attachments. Applicants will have 10 business days thereafter to provide missing or incomplete documents. Applicants should submit the missing documentation electronically to csitcleandemo@njcsit.gov with the email subject line “Pilot Clean Tech Demonstration Grant Program Round 2 – Missing Documentation Submission – [Company Name].”

Scoring

Applicants must achieve a minimum score of 70 points (out of a total 100 points) to be eligible for a grant. Scoring will be based on:

Innovation (up to 30 points)
- Market Opportunity and Strategy (up to 20 points)
- Implementation plan: budget and milestones (up to 20 points)
- Economic and Broader Impacts, such as environment, health, education, housing, safety, infrastructure impacts (up to10 points)
- Team (up to 20 points)

Bonus Points – Applicants that achieve a minimum score of 70 points may also be eligible for the following bonus points:

Applicant is using technology initially developed at a NJ university, under an executed license agreement with such university (15 points)
- Applicant is a NJ certified women-owned business (10 points)
- Applicant is a NJ certified minority-owned business (10 points)
- Applicant is a NJ certified veteran-owned business (10 points)
- Applicant is a NJ certified LGBTQ+ owned business (10 points)
- Applicant’s primary place of business/research & development located within an opportunity zone eligible census tract or government restricted municipality (5 points)
- Applicant has not previously received a CSIT grant or voucher (10 points)

Board Approval

The CSIT Program Committee will review scored applications and make funding recommendations to the CSIT Board. The CSIT Board will make the final decision on grant awards and declination on or about 4^th quarter 2024.

Fees

No application, transaction, or termination fees will be collected by CSIT for this program.

Additional Requirements and Information

Applicants must be in good standing with both New Jersey Department of Labor (“DOL”) and New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (“DEP”) to be eligible for a grant award.

For five years from the date of the grant agreement, workers and consultants for the company must conduct at least 50% of their work in a NJ location. Failure to comply will be a condition of default of the grant and may result in the full re-payment of the grant.

All grant awardees must provide an economic impact report to CSIT upon the completion of the project (24 months) and then yearly for an additional three years on February 1.

All grant awardees are encouraged to commit to participate in one check-in meeting (in-person or virtual) six months from the start of Project term with the CSIT team for update on project.

Funding for this grant is subject to State and Federal statutes, including but not limited to the following, which may impact applicants and their affiliates: N.J.S.A. 52:32-60.1, et seq., which prevents the New Jersey government entities from certain dealings with businesses engaged in prohibited activities in Belarus or Russia; Compliance with the list of “Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons” promulgated by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), https://sanctionssearch.ofac.treas.gov; N.J.S.A. 24:6I-49 which provides that the following are not eligible for most State or local economic incentives:

(a) a person or entity issued a license to operate as a cannabis cultivator, manufacturer, wholesaler, distributor, retailer, or delivery service, or that employs a certified personal use cannabis handler to perform work for or on behalf of a cannabis establishment, distributor, or delivery service; and (b) a property owner, developer, or operator of a project to be used, in whole or in part, by or to benefit a cannabis cultivator, manufacturer, wholesaler, distributor, retailer, or delivery service, or to employ a certified personal use cannabis handler to perform work for or on behalf of a cannabis establishment, distributor, or delivery service; and N.J.S.A. 52:13D-12, et seq., which prohibits a member of the Legislature or a State officer or employee or their partners or a corporation in which they owns or controls more than 1% of the stock to undertake or execute any contract, agreement, sale, or purchase of $25.00 or more, made, entered into, awarded or granted by any State agency, with certain limited exceptions.

Confidentiality

merits confidential treatment pursuant to OPRA, any such purportedly confidential information submitted to CSIT must be specifically identified and marked as “confidential” by the applicant.

Contact Information

All questions concerning this Notice of Funding Availability must be directed to CSIT by email to csitcleandemo@njcsit.gov. All answers will be posted publicly in the form of a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) document which will be posted on the CSIT website prior to the application deadline.

Website: https://www.njeda.gov/csit. Email: csitcleandemo@njcsit.gov

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Government Restricted Municipality Planning Grants – Phase II (Published April 26th, 2024; Amended July 2nd, 2024)
Notice of Funding Availability

Note: The only change being made for this reposted NOFA is to extend the application submission deadline 45 calendar days to August 24th, 2024 at 5:00pm. All other program requirements and information is the same as the initial posted NOFA.

The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (“NJEDA” or “Authority”) will begin accepting applications for the Government Restricted Municipalities (GRM) Strategic Planning Grant – Phase II beginning May 3^rd , 2024 at 9:00 AM. Applications will be accepted only from qualified, eligible GRMs of Phase I no later than August 24th, at 5:00 PM. Applicants should review the application resources posted to the Authority’s webpage at https://www.njeda.gov/grmpgp/ for more information.

Overview

This funding opportunity is issued by the Authority as part of Governor Murphy’s campaign to build a stronger and fairer New Jersey and to facilitate recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic with substantive investments in New Jersey’s people, communities, Main Streets, and businesses. Using funding from the New Jersey Economic Recovery Act of 2020, the Government Restricted Municipality Planning Grants Program – Phase II will provide grants to qualified GRM applicants to finance gaps in technical planning that restrain projects from moving forward. The grants will enable GRMs to complete technical planning necessary for projects identified in Phase I strategic action plans.

Purpose

The technical planning funding is designed to bridge gaps in business analysis, civic engagement, engineering, architectural, environmental, scientific and media planning, research and analysis for projects identified in the Phase I strategic action plans that require technical planning work. Recipients of Phase II grants will be tasked with project selection through a project prioritization plan from actionable projects listed in the strategic action plan created using Phase I funding. The project prioritization plan will detail the catalytic projects and the technical planning gaps in the projects.

At the conclusion of the technical planning work, GRMs will have a pipeline of shovel ready or near shovel ready projects ready for financing.

Eligible Applicants

The Authority is seeking applications directly only from Government Restricted Municipalities that had completed strategic action plans from Phase I. GRMs are defined in Sections 55 and 69 of the Economic Recovery Act.

Eligible Uses

The use of grant funds must be focused on technical planning for projects listed in the strategic action plans completed during Phase I. The technical planning funding is designed to bridge gaps in business analysis, civic engagement, engineering, architectural, environmental, scientific and media planning, research and analysis for projects identified in the strategic action plans that require technical planning work.

No awards will be made for construction hard costs, demolition, or property acquisition. No funding for project costs, other than technical planning, will be awarded or disbursed. No funding will be awarded for the administration or supervision of the grant and/or associated projects. Applicants must submit a prioritized project list with technical assistance gaps identified. The prioritized project list must include projects as listed in the strategic action plan. The applicant may choose the number, scope, type, and municipal prioritization of the projects.

Grant Amounts

Phase II grants will be awarded up to $750,000 per GRM.

The potential award amount is based upon current information about funding availability. NJEDA reserves the right to increase that amount and number of awards should additional funds become available.

Application Submission and Review Process (including Scoring)

The projects included in Phase II must be evaluated and will be selected by the GRM in a competitive fashion based on municipal goals for equitable community focused economic development. After competitive municipal evaluation, projects will be prioritized in funding order by the GRM. Projects included in the prioritization plan must be originated from the strategic action plan of Phase I. The GRM will select the number, type, scope, and municipal priority of projects to be included in the project prioritization plan. The projects will be funded based on the project prioritization plan and continue in descending order until grant funds are exhausted.

The Applicant shall describe its approach to undertaking a series of technical planning efforts in order to catalyze community supported projects listed in the Phase I strategic action plan by clearly explaining how the planning project will work to accomplish the goals of the Government Restricted Municipality Planning Grants Program. The GRM will submit one application in which it has multiple project plans derived from the Phase I strategic action plan. The project plans will be compiled in the project prioritization list, which will include a project priority rank as well as a project summary.

In line with these goals, the application must contain, at a minimum, the required information identified below (as applicable):

• Completed Application Information Form and any additional information related to the Scope of Work that the applicant feels is relevant.

• Completed Budget Estimate that demonstrates how the full project budget is being utilized. The budget must detail costs, which include, but are not limited to, labor costs, contract/technical services and support costs, and material costs. The budget must project out that the final deliverable will be met within six (6) months of grant execution. The budget will be outlined in a fee schedule.

• Completed municipal strategic action plan funded by Government Restricted Municipality planning grant, phase I

• Completed project prioritization list listing:

o projects as included from completed municipal strategic action plan and selected by the municipality in a competitive format

o technical planning gaps inherent in the projects

o projects must be listed in order of municipal funding priority

• Demonstration of an ability to contract for professional services for technical planning needs.

• Demonstration of a stakeholder engagement process and strategy in the selection of projects that will receive technical planning funding.

• Examples or information reflecting prior experience of applicant in oversight and monitoring of multiple technical planning projects of a similar size and scope.

Applications will be accepted until forty-five (45) calendar days after the Phase II opening. Applications will then be reviewed for completeness.

Applications deemed complete will be reviewed for eligibility and scored by an evaluation committee that is comprised of Authority staff and possibly other State agencies/Department Subject Matter Experts. At the sole discretion of the Authority, NJEDA staff may ask for any clarifications to the application, including but not limited to responses, documentation, and attachments.

Only applications with scores that meet or exceed the minimum score of 50 will be recommended for review and approval to the NJEDA Board.

The evaluation scale is as follows:

0 points – Absence of ability to meet the criteria
- 1 – 7 points – Minimal ability to meet the criteria
- 8 – 11 points – Satisfactory ability to meet the criteria
- 12 – 17 points – Exceptional ability to meet the criteria
- 18 – 20 points – Unique ability to meet the criteria

Scoring Criteria

1) Demonstration of the GRM’s ability to achieve the goals of bridging technical planning gaps for catalytic projects listed in the strategic action plan developed under Phase I.

2) Demonstration of the ability to contract technical planning experts in a range of planning and economic development disciplines.

3) Demonstration of the ability to conduct oversight and project management for subcontractors.

4) Demonstration of an ability to design a technical planning deployment strategy for multiple catalytic municipal projects.

5) Demonstration of a defined collaborative stakeholder engagement process and strategy.

Funding Disbursements

The grant recipient GRM will be awarded up to $750,000 in tranches of up to $250,000 per project that is identified in Phase 1. All tranches must be disbursed by the completion of the grant term.

Grant disbursements by the Authority will only be made to the applicant who shall be responsible for assuring the compliance of any sub-contractors with all terms and conditions of the program and who assumes the sole and absolute responsibility for any payments due to any sub-contractors pursuant to applicable laws.

Each disbursement must be accompanied by supporting documentation. Disbursements will only be made after the submission and approval by the Authority of the supporting documentation.

At a minimum, the supporting documentation referenced above should include:

• Summary of projects to be funded with this disbursement;

• Summary of funds to be expended;

• Summary of funds expended to date;

• Narrative detailing technical planning funding gap on each project proposed for funding

• Full and complete copies of any contracts for technical planning and

• Milestones achieved and overall progress toward completion of final plan.

Fees

Due to financial hardship and similar to Phase I, no fees will be collected by the Authority for this program.

Additional Information

Additional Information on the Government Restricted Municipalities Planning Grants Phase II may be found on the NJEDA website at https://www.njeda.gov/grmpgp/.

The Authority will electronically accept written questions and inquiries from all potential Applicant(s) via the web at NJEDAGRM@njeda.com.

The subject line of the e-mail should state: “Questions – GRM Phase II”. All questions received, and answers given in response to this application will be answered in the form of a “Frequently Asked Questions” document to be posted and continually updated on the Authority’s website, https://www.njeda.gov/grmpgp/, up until 20 days after publication of notice and release of application (whichever is sooner). The Authority will also post any addenda on the same website. It is the responsibility of any potential applicants to review the website on a frequent basis to become aware of any answers and addenda.

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Asset Activation Planning Grant Program (Reposted on April 29, 2024 with an amendments to the Application Submission and Review Process section, originally published on April 23, 2024)

Notice of Funding Availability

The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (“NJEDA” or “Authority”) will begin accepting applications for the New Jersey Asset Activation Planning Grant Program at 10:00 a.m. EST May 7, 2024. The application can be accessed at: https://www.njeda.com/asset-activation-planning-grant. Applications will be accepted on a first come, first served basis during a 90-day period ending at 11:59 p.m. EST August 5, 2024, or until grant funding is exhausted. The Program was allocated continued funding in 2023 for new grant awards, and the rolling grant award process has $300,000 in remaining funds. Grant awards may be up to $50,000 for individual qualifying applications.

Further detailed information is available in the Asset Activation Planning Grant Program specifications: https://www.njeda.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Asset-Activation-Planning-Grant-Program-Specifications.pdf

Overview
The shifting economic and development context in New Jersey has left an array of underutilized properties and infrastructure throughout the state in urban, suburban, and rural communities alike. Former assets which are now liabilities require innovative development to activate their potential and contribute to the State’s economy. In an effort to revitalize underutilized or unutilized public properties or distressed assets in New Jersey, the NJEDA created the Asset Activation Planning Grant Program (“Program”), which was approved as a pilot on March 9, 2022, by the NJEDA Board and was provided $400,000 of the Economic Recovery Fund to fund projects up to $50,000 in grant awards.

The Program provides grants for pre-development planning work that demonstrates viability and prepares implementation of projects that will activate public assets and contribute to the revitalization of local communities and the regional economy. This Program ‘invests in communities’ and ‘makes government work better’ – two major economic development priorities adopted by the NJEDA Board and laid out in Governor Murphy’s Economic Plan.

The NJEDA began accepting applications for the Asset Activation Grant in July 2022, and subsequently awarded grants to ten planning projects throughout the State. In April 2023, the NJEDA Board approved a new round of grants funded by utilizing $500,000 from the FY2023 State Budget appropriated to the Authority for the use of planning grants. Five more planning projects received awards in that round, and because of the rolling grant award process $300,000 of existing funds remain available, and the program will re-open for applications beginning May 7, 2024.

Eligibility
Qualified applicants for the Program include municipalities, counties, redevelopment agencies, independent authorities, non-profit entities, and private for-profit entities that meet additional criteria and hold a valid New Jersey tax clearance certificate.

Applicants may add strategic partners whose experience, knowledge, skills, and ability may augment the capabilities of the proposed planning project team.

An applicant in a lead role for a proposal is the entity that is the sole recipient of grant funds and responsible for all terms of the grant agreement. The lead role applicant will serve as the primary point of contact with the Authority, submit any requests for fund disbursement, and provide reports to the Authority.

The strategic partnership must be recognized by a signed memorandum of understanding (MOU) or a written agreement between the partner and the lead applicant. The MOU or written agreement must be included with the completed application.

An applicant may only submit one application in a lead role but may be included as a partner in additional applications where they play a non-lead role. Any named strategic partner or partners included in the proposal cannot be changed without the prior written consent of the Authority. An entity in a lead role that received prior Asset Activation grant funds may not apply again.

Applications must include a letter of approval from the executive of the public entities that hold ownership of the subject property or have the development oversight and authority to close the property. Assets owned by the State of New Jersey are not eligible. Assets owned by independent authorities, commissions, boards, or other entities of the State of New Jersey are eligible when accompanied by a letter of approval from the body’s executive with development oversight and authority, as discussed above.

A proposal on behalf of a county or independent authority does not preclude a municipality within that county; or municipality or county within the boundary of an independent authority; or independent authority whose boundaries overlap a municipality or county from submitting their own proposal.

An award of grant funding does not imply approval of planning, analysis, use, sale, or divestment of any assets or property.

Eligible Uses
Planning projects may include, but are not limited to:

Redevelopment Planning
Conceptual Design
Feasibility Study
Land-use Planning
Economic Analysis
Market Analysis
Legal Analysis

Projects should target deficient, under-utilized, or vacant land, buildings, or infrastructure owned by a county, municipality, district, public authority, public commission, public agency, or other political subdivision or public body.

Grant Amounts
The maximum grant amount is $50,000.

The potential award amount is based upon current information about funding availability; NJEDA reserves the right to increase that amount and number of awards should additional funds become available.

Application Submission and Review Process (including Scoring)
Applications for the New Jersey Asset Activation Planning Grant Program will be accepted during a 90-day window or until grant funding is exhausted. To apply, an applicant must register, or log into the online application portal, complete all required application questions fully, and upload all required PDF document attachments. NJEDA staff will review applications in the order they are received for completeness and eligibility. At the sole discretion of the Authority, NJEDA staff may ask for any necessary clarifications of the information provided in the application, including, but not limited to, responses, documentation, and attachments. Additionally, applicants will be given a 5 business day cure period. If at the end of this 5 day business period, the applicant is non-responsive, the application will be deemed withdrawn and the applicant will need to file a new application for consideration of eligibility.

Each application must contain the following documents:

A. Required Application Information:

A fully completed online application
New Jersey Tax Clearance Certificate
Religious Activities questionnaire (if applicable)
Signed Letter of Approval from the chief executive of the entity holding ownership of the subject property or asset must be digitally attached with the application
Completed Legal Questionnaire
Application Fee (or fee waiver request if applicable)

B. Required Proposal Components of Application

Public Asset Description
Planning Project Details, including:
a. Planning Activities
b. Project Milestones and Deliverables
c. Project Team Roles
d. Public Engagement
e. Project budget and Grant funding requirement
Asset Activation Merits, including:
a. Asset challenges and considerations
b. Regional market constrains and considerations
c. Future uses, development, or activities at the site
d. Connection to the State’s economic and development objectives
Background & Experience including examples of similar planning projects.
Strategic Partners Memorandum of Understanding or written agreement (if applicable).

Note: Applications must include plans for specific deliverables that can be fully completed (with copies provided to EDA) by six months after execution of the grant agreement. Upon written request for an extension (up to two months) of the plan’s final delivery, the NJEDA has the sole discretion to authorize the extension.

Applications deemed complete will be reviewed and scored by an evaluation committee that will be comprised of NJEDA staff. Applications will be scored on a scale of 0 – 100 points. As further detailed in the Asset Activation Planning Grant Program specifications, applications will be evaluated and scored based on the following criteria:

Their “Asset Impact,” which demonstrates the magnitude of improved utilization a project will have on a public asset, the local community, and regional economy. (0 – 40 points)
The project’s “purpose and merits,” which address locality-specific needs and challenges that have precluded prior development of the asset, and a plan for long term viability of a project. (0 – 20 points)
The demonstration of the applicant’s previous experience with similar planning projects. (0 – 20 points)
Community Engagement aspects of the proposed planning work. (0 – 10 points)
Municipal Revitalization Index Score, which ranks New Jersey’s municipalities according to eight separate indicators that measure diverse aspects of social, economic, physical, and fiscal conditions in each locality. (0 – 10 points)

Applications that meet a minimum score of 65 will be recommended to the Program Director for grant funding in the order in which applications were submitted.

Disbursements
Grant funds will only be disbursed to the lead role entity, who will also be responsible for:

(1) assuring that any strategic partners and/or subcontractors are in compliance with all terms and conditions of the grant agreement; and
(2) any payments due to any municipal, county, or strategic partners.

Grant disbursements will follow a uniform disbursement schedule. The lead entity will receive 50 percent of the grant amount upon execution of grant agreement, 25 percent upon submission of a mid-way progress report, and 25 percent upon completion and submission of a final plan and final progress report. At a minimum, the progress reports must include a summary of funds expended to date as well as a narrative detailing milestone achieved and overall progress toward completion of final plan. A monthly call with the Designated Authority Project Manager and the Grantee’s assigned Account Manager or Back-Up Account Manager will be held.

Fees
A $1000 fee is required at the time of application submission.

An application fee waiver may be requested at the time of application for proposals led by municipalities or municipal authorities, boards, commissions, or other municipal entities ranked in the top 10 percent of the 2020 Municipal Revitalization Index (MRI). Applicants will self-identify in the application as a municipality or municipal government entity requesting a waiver. Staff will determine if the entity meets the criteria for a waiver. Eligible entities will be granted a waiver for the program. Ineligible entities will be notified and a cure in the form of fees payment will be requested to complete the application.

Additional Information
Comprehensive information about the Asset Activation Grant Program is available at https://www.njeda.com/asset-activation-planning-grant

Questions concerning this Program and Notice of Funding Availability should be submitted NJAAP@njeda.gov.

The NJEDA is subject to State and Federal statutes including but not limited to the following which may impact affiliates:

N.J.S.A. 52:32-60.1, et seq., which prevents the New Jersey government entities from certain dealings with businesses engaged in prohibited activities in Belarus or Russia; Compliance with the list of “Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons” promulgated by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), https://sanctionssearch.ofac.treas.gov; N.J.S.A. 24:6I-49
which provides that the following are not eligible for most State or local economic incentives (a) a person or entity issued a license to operate as a cannabis cultivator, manufacturer, wholesaler, distributor, retailer, or delivery service, or that employs a certified personal use cannabis handler to perform work for or on behalf of a cannabis establishment, distributor, or delivery service; and (b) a property owner, developer, or operator of a project to be used, in whole or in part, by or to benefit a cannabis cultivator, manufacturer, wholesaler, distributor, retailer, or delivery service, or to employ a certified personal use cannabis handler to perform work for or on behalf of a cannabis establishment, distributor, or delivery service; and N.J.S.A. 52:13D-12, et seq., which prohibits a member of the Legislature or a State officer or employee or their partners or a corporation in which they owns or controls more than 1% of the stock to undertake or execute any contract, agreement, sale, or purchase of $25.00 or more, made, entered into, awarded or granted by any State agency, with certain limited exceptions.

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Atlantic City Food Security Grants Pilot Program (Revised April 12, 2024, Published March 25, 2024)

Notice of Funding Availability

The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (“NJEDA” or “Authority”) will begin accepting applications for the Atlantic City Food Security Grants Pilot Program (“Program”) on April 2, 2024 at 10:00 AM ET. Applications must be submitted by May 14, 2024 at 5:00 PM. The application can be accessed at: Atlantic City Food Security Grants Pilot Program – NJEDA

The Program will make available up to $5.25 million in grant funding through a competitive application process to eligible applicants for projects that can have a positive impact for Atlantic City residents’ ability to access fresh, affordable, and healthy foods. There will be no application fee for the Program.

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Purpose and Overview

In January 2021, Governor Phil Murphy signed the Food Desert Relief Act (FDRA), which allocated to NJEDA a total of $240 million in tax credits over six years, and directed NJEDA to collaborate with the New Jersey Departments of Community Affairs and Agriculture to designate up to 50 Food Desert Communities (FDCs) across the state. These communities are home to more than 1.5 million residents and are in every county in New Jersey. The underlying data analysis allowed the FDCs to be ranked by a Composite Food Desert Factor Score, indicating the acuity or severity of their food desert status. The Atlantic City/Ventnor FDC ranks second highest of all 50 FDCs in New Jersey, indicating an extremely significant need. More than 41,000 people reside within the boundaries of the Atlantic City/Ventnor FDC, which covers the entirety of Atlantic City and a portion of neighboring Ventnor. In order to start initiatives to address FDCs and due to the immediate availability of SLFRF funds for Atlantic City, this pilot Program will focus on Atlantic City.

On October 12, 2023, the NJEDA’s Board approved the creation of the Atlantic City Food Security Grants Pilot Program, a $5,250,000 program funded from the Economic Recovery Fund that will make grants for projects that will strengthen food access and food security in Atlantic City.

Program Details

The Program is designed to address the challenges faced by Atlantic City residents as it related to accessing fresh, affordable and healthy foods. Given the immediate need for improved, reliable and consistent food access in Atlantic City, the Program aims to fund and support 1) entities connecting Atlantic City residents with emergency food programs, 2) creation of programs, services, capital expenditure, or other assistance to entities serving disproportionally impacted households, populations in Atlantic City.

Program grants will be provided to government entities, not-for-profit entities, and for-profit entities that have been in existence for at least two years at the time of application and currently serve, in any manner, residents of the Atlantic City/Ventnor FDC. The grant funds will be awarded only to entities that indicate that they will use the grant funds to improve the quality of life in Atlantic City by increasing food access and/or food security in Atlantic City. Acquisition of land or buildings is not an eligible cost. All other costs that are incurred after the date of grant agreement execution are eligible, subject to the Authority’s approval of the project budget and supporting documentation

In order to provide grant funding to support all eligible projects, a maximum of one Project may be funded per eligible applicant. Grant funding will be allocated to the highest-scoring eligible applicants, proceeding in decreasing order of score until insufficient funds remain to fully fund the next eligible applicant. If funding still remains after approving all qualifying applicants from the initial application period, the application period may be re-opened for additional applications during an additional six-week application window.

Funding

Funding for the Program will come from a $5,250,000 program funded from the Economic Recovery Fund (ERF). The funding is comprised of $4,000,000 in American Rescue Plan Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) appropriated for “Atlantic City Initiatives” in the FY2024 Appropriations Act (P.L. 2023, c. 74). Additionally, ($1,250,000) will be reallocated from the Food Retail Innovation in Delivery Grant Program from an FY22 appropriation of State funds for Food and Agriculture Innovation.

Eligibility

Grants will be awarded only to entities that meet the following criteria at the time of application:

Applicant is a for-profit, nonprofit, or government entity that has been in existence for at least two years at the time of application;
Applicant currently serves, in any manner, residents of the Atlantic City/Ventnor FDC;
Applicant can demonstrate existing programming or services related to food access and/or food security, including but not limited to: food distribution, nutrition education, local agriculture, and/or food retail (such programming may be different than the food security or food access activities proposed for the grant); and
All applicants must be in substantial good standing at the time of application with the following New Jersey Departments:
- Department of Labor and Workforce Development (“NJDOL”)
- Department of Environmental Protection
- Division of Taxation, as evidenced by a Tax Clearance Certificate
Applicant is not subject to suspension or debarment in accordance with 2 CFR § 200.214 and its implementing regulations, including Executive Orders 12549 and 12689, 2 CFR part 180.

Eligible Uses

Grant funding can only be used for prospective costs of the Project specifically approved based on the application, Authority review, and the grant agreement. Grant funds will be awarded only to entities that indicate that they will use the grant funds to improve food access and/or food security in Atlantic City.

The proposed use(s) must be accomplished within two years of execution of the grant agreement, subject to two 6-month extensions by EDA staff if the grantee is diligently pursuing the use and the delay was unforeseeable and not in the grantee’s control, to the extent allowed under federal spending deadlines.

As required by law, construction, including use of trades in construction related to installation of equipment, will be subject to State affirmative action requirements for contractors. Such work with a cost of $2,000 or more will be subject to New Jersey prevailing wage requirements and the Authority’s prevailing wage and affirmative action requirements. Additionally, grantees must utilize contractors registered as a New Jersey Public Works Contractor with the NJDOL for work, subject to Prevailing Wage.

Awards will be subject to federal Duplication of Benefits requirements and, if construction is included, to cost reasonableness analysis.

Grant funding cannot be used for the acquisition of land or buildings as an eligible cost. All other costs that are incurred after the date of grant agreement execution are eligible, subject to the Authority’s approval of the project budget and supporting documentation. For example, eligible costs include construction, equipment, installation, salaries and fringe, and rent.

Grant Amounts

The minimum grant funding is $50,000 per project. The maximum grant funding is $500,000 per project. Grant funds may cover up to 100 percent of the proposed project costs. If grant funds from EDA are not requested to cover 100 percent of the proposed project costs, additional funding sources must be described in the budget and budget narrative submitted for approval.

Application Submission and Review Process (including Scoring)

Applications for the Program will not be accepted after the deadline of May 14, 2024 at 5:00pm. To apply, an applicant must register, or log into the online application portal, complete all required application questions fully, and upload all required PDF documents.

NJEDA staff will review all applications for completeness and eligibility. At the sole discretion of the Authority, NJEDA staff may ask for more information for the application, including, but not limited to, responses, documentation, and attachments. Applicants will be given 10 business days to respond to these requests. The Authority reserves the right to provide two additional 10 business day cure periods if necessary. Should another cure period be provided, it will be provided to all applicants. If at the end of the cure period, or cure periods if two or three cure periods are provided, the applicant is non-responsive, the application will be deemed withdrawn. No applications will be scored until the end of any and all cure periods.

Each application must provide information about their organization and their proposed project, including, but not limited to:

A detailed description of the proposed project, including its expected impact on FDC residents’ food access and/or food security in Atlantic City. This description must include, at minimum, the following:
- Description of current food security and food access needs and challenges in Atlantic City;
- Description of how the proposed project will address food access and food security in Atlantic City, particularly for SNAP and WIC recipients;
- Identification of other key stakeholders and description of how the applicant will collaborate with them;
An implementation timeline and work plan. The work plan must include, at minimum:
- Specific Measurable Achievable Relevant Time-bound (SMART) objectives;
- Description of each project activity;
- A project timeline, including milestones and the length of time needed to implement each activity within the grant period;
- Identification of appropriate staff responsible for each project activity;
A description of the organization’s capacity to undertake the proposed project, including current and past experience a) serving residents of the Atlantic City/Ventnor FDC and b) providing programming or services related to food access and food security in Atlantic City and/or other parts of New Jersey;
A description of community engagement efforts, which can include letters of support for the proposal; and
A line-item budget and budget narrative for the proposed project scope. The requested level of funding must be broken down by line item. Line items must be clearly explained in the budget narrative. The requested level of funding must be reasonable for proposed activities within the project timeline. If the total project cost exceeds the requested grant amount, the budget narrative must describe the sources for all other funds.

For projects involving Construction Cost and Construction Related Cost, the following requirements must be met:

NJDOL Public Works Registered Contractor/Subcontractor
All contractors used for any construction costs of $2,000 or more must be registered as a New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development (DOL) Public Works Contractor Registered Contractor and must abide by NJ prevailing wage and affirmative action requirements. Any quotes submitted from contractors/subcontractors that are not NJDOL Public Works Registered Contractors at the time of application will not be eligible to be used in your proposed project.
Professional Services
All professional services, including, but not limited to, architectural, engineering, construction management services, must provide proof of a NJ Business Registration and a Verification of Professional Service form.

Scoring

Applications that are incomplete, including those that do not provide responses to all required questions and those that do not meet the applicant eligibility criteria, will not proceed to scoring. Applications deemed complete will be reviewed and scored by an evaluation scoring committee that will be comprised of NJEDA staff. Applications will be scored on a scale of 0 – 100 points. To be considered for grant funding, a minimum score of 50 out of 100 points is required. Applications will be scored based on the following criteria:

Criteria # 1: Project Description/Statement of Work (up to 30 points) – Factors considered include:
- Applicant’s understanding of Atlantic City’s needs and challenges regarding food security and food access;
- Potential impact of the proposed project on Atlantic City residents’ food access and/or food security;
- Potential impact of the proposed project on food access for recipients of federal and state nutrition benefits, including SNAP and WIC;
- Potential for project to be viable, sustainable, and adaptable to other Food Desert Communities;
Criteria # 2: Work Plan (up to 20 points) – Applications will be evaluated based on factors, including:
- Feasibility of work plan, as proposed;
- Level of detail and evidence of thorough planning;
Criteria # 3: Organizational Capacity (up to 20 points) – The applicant is equipped to successfully complete the proposed plan in a timely manner. Factors considered include:
- Applicant’s experience providing programs or services related to food access and/or food security, including, but not limited to, food distribution, nutrition education, local agriculture, and/or food retail;
- Applicant’s experience working effectively on collaborative, multi-stakeholder projects, as applicable for the proposed project;
- Alignment of proposed project with applicant’s overall mission or primary line of business
Criteria #4: Community Engagement (up to 20 points) – Factors considered include:
- Depth of experience serving residents of Atlantic City;
- A track record of seeking and responding to feedback from stakeholders, such as community members, customers, or advocates;
- Efforts to ensure programs or services promote social and economic equity;
- Ability to consider and mitigate obstacles that have created challenges for food security and food access in the past;
Criteria #5: Budget and Budget Narrative (up to 10 points) – Applications will be evaluated based on level of detail, clarity of justification/explanation of budget, budget narrative with a clear connection to project goals and reasonableness.

Funding will be allocated first to the highest-scored applicant, proceeding in decreasing order of score to other applicants that meet the minimum score requirement of 50 out of 100 points, until insufficient funds remain to fully fund the next eligible application. If funding still remains after approving all qualifying applicants from the initial application period, the application period may be re-opened for additional applications during an additional six-week application window. Applications received during that window will be reviewed and scored following the same procedure.

Grant Agreement

Once a project is approved for funding, the Authority will enter into a grant agreement (“Grant Agreement”) with the applicant detailing the project to be funded, eligible Project costs, the amount of grant funding, and all financial programmatic requirements, including the amount of other funding as may be applicable. The Grant Agreement will detail timelines for both the Project and Project reporting. The proposed use(s) must be accomplished within two years of execution of the grant agreement, subject to two 6-month extensions, at the discretion of EDA staff, if the grantee is diligently pursuing the use and the delay was unforeseeable and not in the grantee’s control, to the extent allowed under federal spending deadlines. The applicant will be responsible for ensuring compliance of the Project with all terms and conditions of the Grant Agreement and the Program funding requirements.

Grant Funding Disbursements

The Authority will disburse grants only to the applicant for the eligible and approved scope of work. Funds will be disbursed according to the following schedule:

50 percent of the grant will be disbursed upon execution of a grant agreement between NJEDA and the selected applicant;
25 percent of the grant will be disbursed upon the applicant’s submission of the mid-program report, the exact timing to be determined based on the grantee’s implementation plan and reflected in the grant agreement; and
25 percent of the grant amount will be disbursed upon the Authority’s review and approval of the applicant’s submission of a final report on completion of the proposed project, expected to be no later than two (2) years following the date of the grant agreement execution or September 30, 2026, whichever is earlier.

Post-Closing Compliance

Grantees will be required to report to NJEDA at least quarterly, including mid-program and final reports, starting at grant execution and extending through the end of the grant term. These reports must provide updates on grantees’ progress against their proposed project timeline, data and outcomes on the project’s impact (e.g. number of people served), and project costs, both cumulative and since the last report.

NJEDA shall recapture any grant funds used for (1) an ineligible purpose or (2) any purpose outside of any approved scope of work.

Fees

No application fees will be charged for this program, per NJEDA’s fee rules.

Additional Requirements and Information

Comprehensive information about the Atlantic City Food Security Grants Pilot Program is available at Atlantic City Food Security Grants Pilot Program – NJEDA.

Questions concerning this Program’s Notice of Funding Availability should be submitted to FoodSecurityGrants@njeda.gov.

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Food and Agriculture Research & Development Pilot Seed Program (Published April 5, 2024)

Notice of Funding Availability

The New Jersey Commission on Science, Innovation and Technology (“CSIT”) will launch an online application for the Food and Agriculture Research & Development Pilot Seed Grant Program at 9 am on April 12, 2024 at www.njeda.gov/csit. Application will close on May 10, 2024 at 5 pm. The Food and Agriculture Research & Development Pilot Seed Grant Program has a total budget of $375,180 for an estimated 5 grant awards of up to $75,000 each. This is a competitive grant. No application, transaction, or termination fees will be collected by CSIT for this Program.

Purpose
The Food and Agriculture Research & Development Pilot Seed Grant Program (“Program”) supports innovation from researchers and entrepreneurs focused on developing technology and other solutions to addressing food insecurity in New Jersey (“NJ”). The Program will engage early stage innovation-based companies to accelerate research and development of technologies into commercially viable products and services that address food insecurity needs of communities across NJ. The Program seeks to identify and implement ways to increase access to nutritious
foods and develop new approaches to alleviate food deserts (referred to as an area with a lack of access to healthy, affordable food). Follow the link to see a list of current NJEDA New Jersey Food Deserts (Food Desert Communities Designation) The Program supports the development of
innovative technologies within the target areas listed below.

The Program is focused on companies conducting research and development or testing technologies in the following target areas:

Life Sciences (e.g., Next generation crop, soil health, indoor agriculture, and aquaculture)

Technology (e.g., Digital services and platform development for improved food access, digital services to reduce food waste, digital platform to access emergency food and other services necessary for food security)
Food and Beverage (Non-retail) (e.g., Improved connection between urban food systems and rural and urban communities to improve food access, increased capacity, and distribution of farm fresh products)
Transportation and Logistics (e.g., online platform designed to facilitate business-to business connections with local food systems to address disruptions to the local food supply, innovative food delivery models with reduced carbon footprint)

All applicants for the Program must provide proof of concept for their project proposed for funding.

Overview
The total funding of $750,000 for the Program comes from New Jersey Economic Development Authority’s (“NJEDA”) Fiscal Year 2022 (“FY2022”) appropriations for “Food and Agriculture Innovation” via a Memorandum of Understanding between NJEDA and CSIT. The Program is
implemented by CSIT.

Of the total Program budget, $375,180 remains for the current round of grants. The Program will award grants of up to $75,000 to support an estimated five New Jersey early-stage innovation based companies that have the potential to impact food and agriculture outcomes. Decisions on
this grant award are expected to be made by the 3rd quarter of 2024.

Program Details
Grants will be awarded on a competitive basis, with awards going to the highest scoring applicants provided the minimum score of 70 points is met.

Applicants can only submit one application for this grant. Multiple applications from the same company will NOT be accepted. If an applicant submits two applications, they must select which application moves forward for review and scoring.

Each grant will be valid for a period of twelve months, effective from the date of the execution of the grant agreement. Any unused approved grant amounts will be cancelled after the twelve month period and returned to the CSIT program budget for future use. An extension of up to
three months may be permitted at the discretion of CSIT.

Please note that CSIT if CSIT notifies a grant applicant of a budget error they may adjust and resubmit grant budgets to address the following issues: if:

i. Submitted budget at the time of application exceeds the approved grant amount

ii. Submitted budget at the time of application includes ineligible budgetary items as stated in notice of funding

iii. Submitted budget at the time of application exceeds the 30% threshold, as stated in the notice of funding below under “Eligible Uses”

iv. Submitted budget at the time of application does not include printed name of preparer and date

Applications with incorrect budgets that are not revised by June 5, 2024 will be rejected.

Eligibility
Each applicant must meet the following eligibility criteria at the time of application and maintain eligibility during the entire review period in order to be eligible for an award:

Be authorized and in good standing to conduct business in NJ as evidenced by a current NJ tax clearance certificate addressed to CSIT. All certificates listing another state agency will be rejected.
Have no more than twenty-five full-time equivalent (“FTE”) workers (FTE calculated on a 35-hour work week) at the time of application.
Have a minimum of one full time worker. A worker may be the founder and may be paid or unpaid.
Conduct 50% or more of the cumulative hours worked by all workers, founders, and contractors in a New Jersey location (calculated on an FTE basis – 35 hrs. per week);
and
Have less than or equal to $2,000,000 in 2023 calendar year sales revenue (excluding grant revenue).

Eligible Uses
The grant funding can be utilized for project research and development activities. In addition, the following expenses are eligible uses but cannot total more than 30% of the Project budget:

In addition, the following expenses are eligible uses but cannot total more than 30% of the Project budget:

Marketing and customer discovery specific to the innovation
IP Patent prosecution and licensing-related expenses
Conference registration fees

Ineligible Uses
The following expense categories are ineligible for funding by this grant:

Direct services to individuals or organizations
Manufacturing of products for sale or commercial use
Real estate rental expenses
Patient clinical trial expenses
Construction costs
Travel, entertainment, and other similar expenses
General overhead expenses
Expenditures incurred before the execution of the grant agreement
Expenditures for equipment and materials that applicant does not use for the project during the project period
Fees related to conferences not associated with the project

Disbursement of funds
First disbursement will equal 80% of grant award on the effective date of the grant agreement. Second disbursement of 20% of grant award will be after Final Report is submitted and approved by CSIT.

Application Submission and Review Process
All applications to the Program must include the following documentation:

a. Completed online application

b. Evidence that proof of concept has been achieved for the project. Submit one of the following:

Description of the proof-of-concept results
Published paper outlining results achieved
Successful completion of a federal SBIR/STTR grant or contract related to the
project
Documentation from a university tech transfer office if the project relates to
technology that has been developed at a university

c. Budget and Milestone Proposals (Excel template embedded within online application)

d. Employee information as appropriate for applicable company structure and staffing-i.e. most recent NJ WR-30 (W2 employees) or 1099 (contractors), Shareholder Agreement or K-1, or offer letters. Please note that if a Professional Employment Organization (“PEO”) is utilized,
the applicant must submit confirmation of PEO-A form issued by the NJ Department of Labor (“DOL”). These confirmations are issued on an annual basis and are valid for a year. See https://www.nj.gov/labor/ea/employer-services/leasing-companies/ for additional information
on PEOs.

e. Summary of most recent internal payroll (Q4 2023 or Q1 2024) indicating each employee name
and number of hours worked per week.

f. Most recent company tax filing: Federal 941 and either an NJ-CBT-100 (Schedule A), Form-1065 or Form -1040 (Schedule C) or whichever is applicable to the organizational form of the business, showing the total Gross Receipts or Sales for the year.

g. Current NJ tax clearance certificate addressed to CSIT Tax clearance must be dated March 8, 2024 or after. https://www16.state.nj.us/NJ_PREMIER_EBIZ/jsp/home.jsp DUE No Later Than June 5, 2024 or application will be rejected.

h. If applicable, copy of Women and/or Minority owned business NJ certification https://www.njportal.com/DOR/SBERegistry/Default/ DUE No Later Than June 5, 2024 or relevant bonus points will not be awarded.

i. If applicable, copy of Veteran owned business NJ certification DUE No Later Than June 5, 2024 or relevant bonus points will not be awarded.

j. If applicable, a copy of Executed University License Agreement with University. DUE No Later Than June 5, 2024 or relevant bonus points will not be awarded.

k. Complete Application Certification

l. Completed CSIT Legal Debarment Questionnaire

m. For companies with a d/b/a or “doing business as” name, we require proof of business
registration for the d/b/a name.

The following steps detail the application submission process:

A document completeness review will be done as applications are received.
Applicants with missing documentation will be notified and given 10 business days to submit missing documents. If the application remains incomplete by the resubmission deadline, it will be rejected.
Only complete applications will be evaluated and scored. Applicants must submit the NJ tax clearance certificate by June 5, 2024 otherwise, the application will be rejected. For any bonus points category, if the documentation is not received by the application scoring period, bonus points will not be applied.
Denied applications may appeal CSIT’s declination, provided they do so within the timeframe provided in CSIT’s declination letter. Appeals must be written and include an explanation as to how the applicant has met all the eligibility criteria.

Scoring
An evaluation committee comprised of CSIT and NJEDA staff will review and assign a score to each application, after receiving qualitative input from Subject Matter Experts (“SME”s). As part of the process, all applicants with complete applications will be invited, but are not required, to make a brief presentation about their project and submit it to the evaluation committee and SMEs.

All applicants must achieve a minimum score of 70 (out of 100 points) in the following criteria to be eligible for a grant.:

Innovation (up to 30 points)
Market opportunity (up to 10 points)
Implementation plan – budget and milestones (up to 20 points)
Go-to-market strategy (up to 10 points)
Economic and community impact (up to10 points)
Team (up to 20 points)

Bonus Points – Bonus points will be awarded to applicants that achieve the minimum score and are also:

A company using technology initially developed at a NJ university, under an executed
license agreement with such university (15 points)
NJ certified women-owned business (10 points)
NJ certified minority-owned business (10 points)
NJ certified veteran-owned business (10 points)
Primary place of business/research & development located within an opportunity zone
eligible census tract or government restricted municipality (5 points)
Has not previously received a CSIT grant or voucher (10 points)

Grants will be awarded to an estimated five applicants with the highest overall scores, provided the minimum score is met, until program funds are expended.

Board Approval
The CSIT Program Committee will review scored applications and make funding recommendations to the CSIT Board. The CSIT Board will make final decision on grant award winners and declination on or about 3rd quarter 2024.

Fees
No application, transaction, or termination fees will be collected by CSIT for this program.

Additional Information
For two years from the date of the grant agreement, workers and consultants who continue working
on the project must conduct at least 50% of their work in a New Jersey location. Failure to comply will trigger a requirement that the applicant make full re-payment of the grant award.

All grant awardees must report economic impact data to CSIT upon the completion of the project and for an additional two years after project completion by submitting an “Economic Impact Questionnaire” provided by CSIT.

All grant awardees are encouraged to host one in-person interim site visit from the CSIT/NJEDA team or a virtual meeting to provide an update on their project.

All grant awardees are encouraged to commit to participate in future CSIT/NJEDA alumni activities, such as serving as a panel member or being interviewed about their program experience.

Confidentiality
Applications received will be reviewed only by staff of CSIT and NJEDA and SMEs. All applications submitted may be subject to requests for public disclosure, including but not limited to requests pursuant to the Open Public Records Act (“OPRA”), N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1 et seq. If the applicant believes that information contained in its proposal merits confidential treatment pursuant to OPRA, any such purportedly confidential information submitted to CSIT must be specifically identified and marked by the applicant as such.

Contact Information
All questions concerning this Notice of Funding Availability must be directed to CSIT by email to csitfoodagr@njcsit.gov. All answers will be posted publicly in the form of a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) document which will be posted on the CSIT website prior to the application
deadline. Website: https://www.njeda.gov/csit.
Email: csitfoodagr@njcsit.gov

The NJEDA is subject to State and Federal statutes including but not limited to the following which may impact affiliates: N.J.S.A. 52:32-60.1, et seq., which prevents the New Jersey government entities from certain dealings with businesses engaged in prohibited activities in
Belarus or Russia; N.J.S.A. 24:6I-49 which provides that the following are not eligible for most State or local economic incentives (a) a person or entity issued a license to operate as a cannabis cultivator, manufacturer, wholesaler, distributor, retailer, or delivery service, or that employs a
certified personal use cannabis handler to perform work for or on behalf of a cannabis establishment, distributor, or delivery service; and (b) a property owner, developer, or operator of a project to be used, in whole or in part, by or to benefit a cannabis cultivator, manufacturer, wholesaler, distributor, retailer, or delivery service, or to employ a certified personal use cannabis handler to perform work for or on behalf of a cannabis establishment, distributor, or delivery service; and N.J.S.A. 52:13D-12, et seq., which prohibits a member of the Legislature or a State officer or employee or their partners or a corporation in which they owns or controls more than 1% of the stock to undertake or execute any contract, agreement, sale, or purchase of $25.00 or more, made, entered into, awarded or granted by any State agency, with certain limited exceptions.

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Commuter and Transit Bus Private Carrier Relief and Jobs Program – Phase 2 (Published February 26, 2024)

Notice of Funding Availability

The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) will begin accepting applications for the non-competitive Commuter and Transit Bus Private Carrier Relief and Jobs Program – Phase 2 (“Program”) at 10:00 AM on Tuesday, March 5th, 2024. The deadline to apply is 3:00 PM on Thursday, March 28^th, 2024. The application can be accessed at https://www.njeda.gov/busreliefphase2/

Purpose and Overview

On November 16th, 2023, the NJEDA’s Board approved the grant funding for Phase 2 of the Commuter and Transit Bus Private Carrier Relief and Jobs Program. Subsequently, on February 7th, 2024, the board approved an amendment to the award calculator. Similar to Phase 1, Phase 2 offers a one-time grant to eligible commuter and transit bus private carrier companies in New Jersey. This Program continues to assist these companies in addressing ongoing revenue losses, which have not been addressed through any other funding sources (“unmet need”), due to the evolving economy and reduced ridership stemming from the shift towards remote work in a post-pandemic economy.

Supporting the State’s private carrier industry will contribute to the overall well-being of communities, help maintain essential transportation services, and foster economic resilience within the state. Incorporating the policy of providing relief grants to private carrier companies facing reduced ridership due to remote work not only addresses their financial challenges, but also advances the State’s priority of investing in communities and infrastructure. By adapting to the evolving transportation landscape, these private carriers can continue to serve their communities effectively, contributing to the overall success of the State’s development goals. Additionally, this Program aims to support job retention and creation, as well as benefit New Jersey residents who rely on the State’s commuter bus services and residents employed by the private carrier companies.

To receive funding, applicants must meet all eligibility criteria described below. The Program funds will be allocated on a predefined formula to ensure the Program can be efficiently administered. The potential award amount is based upon current information about funding availability; NJEDA reserves the right to increase that amount and number of awards should additional funds become available.

Funding

This Program is funded by utilizing the $12 million that was appropriated to the Authority in the SFY2024 State Budget for Phase 2 of the Commuter and Transit Bus Private Carrier Relief and Jobs Program.

Eligibility

To streamline the program and ensure the Authority can efficiently deploy this funding, program eligibility will be based on certain non-discretionary criteria, and grant amounts will be calculated based on a predefined formula. (See below.) To be eligible, an applicant must demonstrate the following in a manner acceptable to the Authority:

Have been in business prior to February 15, 2020;
Be a for-profit business (non-profits are excluded from the Program based on other required criteria). Note: Public Agencies, authorities, governmental entities or the like are NOT eligible
Be registered to do business in and operating in the state of New Jersey, as evidenced by a current New Jersey Tax Clearance Certificate;
Provide fixed route bus service (MB) or commuter bus (CB) service, as defined in the Federal Transit Administration’s December 22, 2021, National Transit Database (NTD) Glossary. Note: Other services, including, but not limited to, those provided by charter buses, school buses, municipal shuttles, vanpool, and on-demand bus services, are not eligible;
Have reported Vehicle Revenue Miles for fixed route bus service (MB) or commuter bus service (CB) greater than 0 in New Jersey directly to the NTD, as recorded in Annual Data Tables 2022 Service, or through NJ Transit as a private carrier in 2022;
Demonstrate systemic decrease in revenues (losses) in the state of New Jersey in 2022,due to the new realities in working habits (calculated as the difference between each applicant company’s 2022 NJ-generated revenues and 2019 NJ-generated revenues, as reported in the respective NJ CBT-100 or CBT-100S tax returns, Schedule J) that has not been fully addressed by other public or private relief funding sources;
Certify bus service, through peak vehicle requirements or notice of service changes, has not voluntarily reduced since 2021, from time of application, at milestone stages, and through the end of the grant compliance period;
Satisfy the Authority’s debarment/disqualification review, and not have any defaults or outstanding obligations to the Authority; and
Be in good standing with the following sister agencies: New Jersey Department of Labor, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, New Jersey Department of Taxation, and New Jersey Transit.

Eligible Uses:

Grant funding may be used for reimbursement of “unmet need”, as discussed below.

Grant Amounts

Grant amounts will allocate funds based on each eligible applicant’s proportional share of the total eligible applicant’s vehicle revenue miles (VRM) in New Jersey for 2022, Any leftover funds would be reallocated proportionally based on VRM. The basic formula is shown below.

Total grant pool = $11,400,000

Applicant VRM = Vehicle Revenue Miles submitted to NTD for NJ in 2022

Total VRM = Sum of Vehicle Revenue Miles submitted to NTD for NJ in 2022 for all eligible applicants

Total base awards = Sum of base awards for all applicants

The maximum award will not exceed the applicant’s unmet need. The unmet need is defined as 2022 New Jersey revenue losses (calculated as the difference between each applicant company’s 2022 revenues reported in New Jersey and 2019 revenues reported in New Jersey) less any other public or private funds that a company received for 2022.

Any funding that exceeds unmet need will be re-allocated to the pool proportionally based on vehicle revenue miles, to be disbursed to other eligible applicants.

Application Process

Upon closure of the application period, the Authority will review applications for completeness. Applicants that submitted incomplete applications will be provided the opportunity to correct the applications to include the missing information within 10 business days.

At the sole discretion of the Authority, staff may ask for clarification of the information included in the application, including but not limited to narrative responses, supporting documentation, and attachments. Applicants will have 10 business days thereafter to provide missing or incomplete documents.

Disbursement of Funding

In recognition of the ongoing commitment to sustain essential service providers and ensure that funding aligns with evolving service demands, Phase 2 of the Program will introduce a milestone-based disbursement process. As part of this approach, successful applicants will receive half of their awarded funds upon the completion and execution of the grant agreement.

The second disbursement of the remaining half of the award, will be contingent upon the outcome of the 2024 NJ Transit review of peak vehicle requirements, which will be available in Q3 2024. Approved applicants will only receive their final disbursement once NJ Transit confirms no variances in peak vehicle requirements. In the event of that NJ Transit’s review of peak vehicle requirements confirms that there is less than amount confirmed at the time of application, or if there is a notice of decreased service, the awardee will forfeit the remaining reserved approved funds.

In the event an awardee forfeits the remainder of their grant funds, the funds will be redistributed to the remaining eligible awardees and disbursed accordingly.

Fees

No application fees will be assessed, per the NJEDA’s revised fee rules.

Additional Information

Additional information on the Commuter and Transit Bus Pandemic Relief and Jobs Program may be found at https://www.njeda.gov/busreliefphase2/

The NJEDA is subject to State and Federal statutes including but not limited to the following which may impact affiliates: N.J.S.A. 52:32-60.1, et seq., which prevents the New Jersey government entities from certain dealings with businesses engaged in prohibited activities in Belarus or Russia; N.J.S.A. 24:6I-49 which provides that the following are not eligible for most State or local economic incentives (a) a person or entity issued a license to operate as a cannabis cultivator, manufacturer, wholesaler, distributor, retailer, or delivery service, or that employs a certified personal use cannabis handler to perform work for or on behalf of a cannabis establishment, distributor, or delivery service; and (b) a property owner, developer, or operator of a project to be used, in whole or in part, by or to benefit a cannabis cultivator, manufacturer, wholesaler, distributor, retailer, or delivery service, or to employ a certified personal use cannabis handler to perform work for or on behalf of a cannabis establishment, distributor, or delivery service; and N.J.S.A. 52:13D-12, et seq., which prohibits a member of the Legislature or a State officer or employee or their partners or a corporation in which they owns or controls more than 1% of the stock to undertake or execute any contract, agreement, sale, or purchase of $25.00 or more, made, entered into, awarded or granted by any State agency, with certain limited exceptions.

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New Jersey Manufacturer’s Voucher Program Phase 2 (Published February 5, 2024)

Notice of Funding Availability

The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (“NJEDA” or “Authority”) will begin accepting applications for the pilot Phase 2 – New Jersey Manufacturer’s Voucher Program (“NJ MVP Phase 2” or “Program”) on February 12, 2024 at 10:00am EST. Applications will be accepted until all funds are fully awarded.

The pilot Phase 2 Program will make available $20 million in grant funding through a rolling application process to provide New Jersey manufacturers with access to essential equipment, which will enhance efficiency, productivity, and overall profitability in New Jersey.

A fee of $1,000 is required at the time of application. The application can be accessed online at: https://www.njeda.gov/mvp2/

Purpose and Overview

The pilot NJ MVP Phase 2 Program will provide support to New Jersey priority sectors and manufacturers that purchase equipment that integrates advanced or innovative technologies, processes, and materials to improve the manufacturing of products. This pilot Program will continue to stimulate private sector investments to modernize New Jersey’s manufacturing industry, and to help keep pace with state-of-the art product development and manufacturing technology. Eligible applicants will receive a reimbursement of equipment costs sized at 30% – 50% of the cost of the eligible equipment (including installation) up to a maximum award amount of $250,000.

Note: The potential award amount is based upon current information about funding availability; NJEDA reserves the right to increase that amount and number of awards should additional funds become available.

Funding

On June 30, 2023, Governor Murphy allocated $20 million from the Fiscal Year 2024 State Budget NJEDA for deposit into the Economic Recovery Fund (ERF) for the New Jersey Manufacturer Voucher Program Phase 2. Of that allocation, up to $4,000,000 will be used to provide funding to eligible Phase 1 waitlist applicants. Pursuant to N.J.S.A § 34:1B-7.13(a)(12), ERF Funds can be utilized “to provide grants or competition prizes to funds initiative-based activities which stimulate growth in targeted industries as defined by the authority’s board or supports increasing diversity and inclusion within the State’s entrepreneurial economy.” NJMVP, as a grant program stimulating growth in Advanced Manufacturing or manufacturing activities in any of the other “targeted industries”, is an eligible use of ERF funding.

Program Details

NJ MVP Phase 2 will provide reimbursement of equipment costs sized at 30% to 50% of the cost of the eligible equipment (including installation), up to a maximum grant award amount of $250,000. The pilot Program will support the purchase of manufacturing equipment for New Jersey manufacturers in “Targeted Industries” for their manufacturing process or equipment that meets the definition of “Advanced Manufacturing”. (See Targeted Industry List and definitions: https://www.njeda.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Appendix-C-Targeted-Industries-Definitions-12.6.22_v2.pdf) Examples of advanced manufacturing technologies include additive manufacturing technologies, computer-aided manufacturing, utilization of advanced sensors and robotics to improve production, development of advanced materials to support production, and digital twin development and utilization. This industry also includes firms that manufacture either finished or interim advanced technologies or components.

The pilot Program will offer bonuses for Certified Woman, Minority, and Veteran Owned Businesses (WMVB); businesses located within opportunity zones; manufacturing equipment purchased from a New Jersey manufacturer or assembler, manufacturers with fifty (50) or less employees or Full Time Equivalent employees; as well as bonuses for companies that have a collective bargaining agreement in place. NJ MVP is also committed to supporting Small Businesses by awarding manufacturers with up to 100 Full Time Equivalent (FTE) employees with higher award percentages. Companies with 100 FTEs or less are capped at 50% of the award. Companies with employees over 100 FTE are capped at 40% of the award. Additional information about “small business” is available at MVP webpage: https://www.njeda.gov/mvp2/.

A “Small Business” means a business engaged primarily in one industry with 100 or fewer employees, as determined six months before application and at the time of application. An “Employee” of a small business shall include a person who is employed for consideration for at least 35 hours a week; who is employed pursuant to an employee leasing agreement for at least 35 hours a week; or who is a partner of a business who works for the partnership for at least 35 hours a week. An Employee of a small business shall also include any person who works as an independent contractor for the business or a contract worker who works at the business for at least 35 hours a week. For those persons who are employed by the business or who work for the business as independent contractors or contract workers for less than 35 hours, 35 hours of employment a week shall constitute one employee, regardless of whether the hours of work were performed by one or more persons. This is known as “Full Time Equivalents.” The Authority may determine a different number of hours a week or other standard of service generally accepted by custom or practice as full-time employment. For purposes of the number of employees, a small business shall include all of its affiliates, regardless of whether the affiliate may contribute full-time jobs or capital investment to the project.

Eligible Uses

Grant funding can only be used for the purchase and installation of (new and/or used) manufacturing equipment used in the manufacturing process. The equipment must be located and installed at a New Jersey facility location. If an applicant is eligible for multiple pieces of equipment, they must have all equipment delivered and installed before they submit for reimbursement. An Applicant does not have to acquire all eligible pieces of equipment in their approval letter and may submit for reimbursement only for what they decided to acquire.

Eligible manufacturing equipment includes technologically advanced equipment or production/operating systems, included by not limited to robotics, additive manufacturing equipment, hardware or software for digital twinning, advanced sensor or control systems, as well as interconnected sensors, instruments, and other devices networked together with industrial applications, and related security.

Eligibility

Eligible applicants for this pilot Program are for-profit or non-profit manufacturers who are located in a commercial or industrial zone in New Jersey. Home-based businesses are not eligible for this pilot Program. The acquisition of eligible equipment must have been executed at arm’s length.

To be eligible for the pilot Program:

Applicant company must be either a manufacturer in a Targeted Industry or the equipment to be purchased by the applicant company must meet the Advanced Manufacturingdefinition. (See Targeted Industry List and definitions: https://www.njeda.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Appendix-C-Targeted-Industries-Definitions-12.6.22_v2.pdf
Applicant company must provide current NJ Tax Clearance Certificate by the time of approval. This Certificate must be maintained through the closing/grant agreement process to demonstrate the Applicant is properly registered to do business in New Jersey and is in substantial good standing with the NJ Division of Taxation.
Applicant company must be in substantial good standing with the NJ Department of Labor and Workforce Development (DOLWD) and NJ Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).
Applicant must not be engaged in prohibited activities in order to be eligible for funding from NJEDA.
Applicant company must provide purchase quote, order proforma, equipment listing, and/or third-party cost validation.
Projects with executed contracts, a purchase order placed, or a deposit dated prior to submitting the application WILL NOT be considered for funding.
Applicant must operate their business in a commercial or industrial zone in NJ.
Equipment must be located and used in the manufacturing process in a NJ location.
Equipment must be used in the manufacturing process and a narrative must be provided how the requested equipment will be used. (Please see www.njeda.com/njmvp.)
Total aggregated project cost (equipment + installation) must be at least $25,000.00.
Signer of the application must be an authorized signer (an owner, officer or otherwise have the legal authority to bind the business) of the business.

Note: All construction contracts equal or greater to $2,000 where equipment installation requires construction are subject to New Jersey’s prevailing wage law (N.J.S.A. 34:1B-5.1) and affirmative action requirements (N.J.S.A. 34:1B-5.4).

Bonuses

As a commitment and in support of the Authority’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion efforts, the pilot Program supports projects that are in distressed areas and underrepresented ownership groups. Manufacturers with fifty or fewer FTEs are eligible for award bonuses for each of the following areas:

Stackable 5% Bonuses are Available for each of the following:

Equipment located, installed, and used in an Opportunity Zone Eligible Census Tract
Certified Woman, Minority, and Veteran Owned Businesses (WMVB)
At least one Collective Bargaining Agreement in place.
Manufacturers with fifty (50) or less FTE’s

Stackable 10% Bonuses are Available for each of the following:

Purchase of equipment that is manufactured and/or assembled in New Jersey.

Application Submission and Review Process

Complete applications will be accepted on a rolling grant application basis. Applicant companies may submit for multiple pieces of equipment on a single application. The application window will remain open until all funds are awarded/exhausted.

The Authority will review applications as they are received. At the sole discretion of the Authority, staff may ask for clarification of the information included in the application, including but not limited to narrative responses, supporting documentation, and attachments. Applicants will have 14 calendar days thereafter to provide missing or incomplete documents.

Delegation of authority to the NJEDA’s Chief Executive Officer to approve individual applications for the NJ MVP that fit the specific examples outlined in the approved Targeted Industry definitions, including examples in Advance Manufacturing. Any other applicant that staff considers eligible must go to the Board for approval. As a pilot program, decisions based on non-discretionary reasons are subject to the existing delegated authority. Accordingly, NJEDA’s CEO will delegate to the appropriate staff on all decisions and appeal decisions for non-discretionary reasons.

Application Submission and Review Process

Grant Reimbursement Award and Agreement

Minimum grant award will be $7,500 and maximum award amounts will be up to $250,000 per applicant. Grant awards will be 30% to 50% of eligible project cost (depending on stackable bonuses and number of employees). Small businesses with 100 or less Full Time Equivalent employees (FTE) will receive higher award percentages. Companies with 100 FTEs or less are capped at 50% of the award. Companies with employees over 100 FTE are capped at 40% of the award. Applicant companies submitting multiple project applications with the total aggregated project cost of at least $25,000 may not exceed an award amount of $250,000.

Approved Applicants (Grantees) must order/purchase the specified equipment within thirty (30) days of the effective date of the Closing Agreement. Following approval, Grantees will have 12 months from the effective date of the Closing Agreement to deliver and install the equipment. Grantees may apply for up to two 6-month extensions due to unforeseen delays.

The grant award will be issued as one single disbursement after proof of equipment delivery and installation is provided. If an Applicant is eligible for multiple pieces of equipment, they must have all equipment delivered and installed before they submit for reimbursement. An Applicant does not have to acquire all eligible pieces of equipment in their approval letter and may submit for reimbursement only for what they decided to acquire. All disbursements are subject to availability of funding.

An Applicant does not have to acquire all eligible pieces of equipment in their approval letter in order to be reimbursed. An Applicant may submit for reimbursement only for what they decided to acquire.

Changes to equipment: The pilot Program prohibits additions or changes to equipment that were not listed in the original application submission. However, changes to equipment of the same nature as that originally requested are permissible. For example, if the applicant applied for an Aaron Mixer 1.0 and want to purchase a White Mountain Mixer 2.0, that would be acceptable. However, if the applicant applied for a Mixer and now requests to purchase a Printer, that would not be acceptable.
Changes to vendors: The pilot Program allows Applicants to change the purchase vendor, including purchasing from a non-NJ manufacturer. Note: this may affect the loss of a bonus if the original purchase was from a New Jersey manufacturer.
Changes to award amount: The award amount will not be increased for any changes or price increases. However, the award may be adjusted downward based on the final amount paid.

Recapture Provision

If, in any tax period within the first 3 years of executed grant agreement, the company decides to leave the State or move the approved equipment out of the State, the Authority will impose a scaled recapture of the award based on the scale below:

Moves out of State within	Recapture Percentage of the Face Value
1 year of executed grant agreement	100%
2 years of executed grant agreement	60%
3 years of executed grant agreement	30%

Fees

A $1,000 non-refundable application fee is required at the time of application submission.

Additional Information

Comprehensive information about the pilot Phase 2 – New Jersey Manufacturing Vouchers Program is available at https://www.njeda.gov/MVP2.

Questions concerning this pilot Program’s Notice of Funding Availability should be submitted to njmvp@njeda.gov .

The NJEDA is subject to State and Federal statutes including but not limited to the following which may impact affiliates: N.J.S.A. 52:32-60.1, et seq., which prevents the New Jersey government entities from certain dealings with businesses engaged in prohibited activities in Belarus or Russia; N.J.S.A. 24:6I-49 which provides that the following are not eligible for most State or local economic incentives (a) a person or entity issued a license to operate as a cannabis cultivator, manufacturer, wholesaler, distributor, retailer, or delivery service, or that employs a certified personal use cannabis handler to perform work for or on behalf of a cannabis establishment, distributor, or delivery service; and (b) a property owner, developer, or operator of a project to be used, in whole or in part, by or to benefit a cannabis cultivator, manufacturer, wholesaler, distributor, retailer, or delivery service, or to employ a certified personal use cannabis handler to perform work for or on behalf of a cannabis establishment, distributor, or delivery service; and N.J.S.A. 52:13D-12, et seq., which prohibits a member of the Legislature or a State officer or employee or their partners or a corporation in which they owns or controls more than 1% of the stock to undertake or execute any contract, agreement, sale, or purchase of $25.00 or more, made, entered into, awarded or granted by any State agency, with certain limited exceptions.

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Atlantic City Revitalization Fund (Published January 18, 2024)

Notice of Funding Availability

The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (“NJEDA” or “Authority”) will begin accepting applications for the pilot Atlantic City Revitalization Grant Program (“Program”) on January 31, 2024 at 10:00am EST. Applications will be accepted until all funds are fully awarded. The application can be accessed online at: Atlantic City Revitalization Grant Program – NJEDA

The pilot Program will make available $19.65 million in grant funding through a rolling application process to eligible for-profit and non-profit entities to fund capital real estate development projects that seek to revitalize the City of Atlantic City from the COVID-19 pandemic. A $1,000 application fee is required at the time of application.

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Purpose and Overview

As the New Jersey economy continues to rebound in the wake of COVID-19, catalytic investments into distressed cities remains essential for jumpstarting local economies and promoting strong, resilient, and equitable economic recovery efforts to advance place-based economic development initiatives. Atlantic City continues to grapple with persistent economic challenges, including high unemployment rates, limited access to essential amenities such as quality food options, a shortage of class A office spaces, and an inability to access State incentives available to other municipalities.

Governor Murphy’s economic plan, “The State of Innovation: Building a Stronger and Fairer Economy in New Jersey,” identifies several economic development priorities, including “investing in communities to build world-class cities, towns, and infrastructure statewide.” The Atlantic City Revitalization Grant Program will address the Administration’s “investing in communities” priority as the grant funding will help support real estate development, specifically capital projects, throughout Atlantic City. The Program furthers the Administration’s efforts to build a stronger and fairer New Jersey economy by making new, impactful, and strategic investments in historic hubs like Atlantic City and its neighborhoods.

The Program will be focused on ensuring that communities are directly supported by ensuring the project addresses the negative impact of COVID-19 and contributes to Atlantic City’s revitalization. The Program is designed to invest in real estate development projects in Atlantic City that demonstrate an ability to cultivate the environment and neighborhoods necessary to attract and retain a local workforce, enable business creation and tourism, enhance downtown vitality through small business support efforts, support clean and safe initiatives, address food insecurity issues, and buttress social impact supports for the Atlantic City community at large.

Grant funding will improve investment in communities by working to activate underutilized, distressed, or vacant land for projects in order to promote equitable economic growth and community wealth building in Atlantic City.

Funding for the Program is provided by Governor Murphy’s Fiscal Year 2024 Appropriations Act (P.L. 2023, c.74) (discussed below) to support the revitalization of a distressed city like Atlantic City and to build a stronger and fairer New Jersey economy by making new, impactful, and strategic investments throughout the communities of Atlantic City .

Funding

Utilizing the funding provided through the from American Rescue Plan, Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (“SLFRF”), $30 million has been appropriated for “Atlantic City Initiatives” in the Fiscal Year 2024 Appropriations Act (P.L. 2023, c. 74) to support the revitalization of Atlantic City. Of that allocation, $19.65 million has been deposited into the Economic Recovery Fund for the “Atlantic City Revitalization Grant Program”, which will be used to make grants to ensure long-term growth and opportunity for Atlantic City by supporting eligible projects that reinvigorate the local economy and revitalize local neighborhoods.

Program Details

The Program will be focused on ensuring that communities are directly supported by ensuring the project addresses the negative impact of COVID-19 and contributes to Atlantic City’s revitalization. The Program supports real estate development, specifically capital projects ( “Project”) in the form of grants, to support rehabilitation or new construction, as well as other associated development costs with a minimum grant award of $1 million and up to a maximum award of $10 million in grant funding to one Project.

These capital projects must directly support Atlantic City neighborhoods and communities and may include either:

Public infrastructure improvements that support the completion of the project;
Capital construction projects that renovate or restore a vacant or partially vacant (at time of application and up to approval) building; or
New construction projects that aim to increase the downtown vitality, public space utilization, foot traffic, and overall economic prosperity in Atlantic City.

Eligibility

Eligible applicants (“Applicant”) for this Program are for-profit or non-profit entities who are responsible for overseeing a real estate development project and coordinating the activities related to the project, including, but not limited to, project design, project financing, and permitting and local approvals.

To be eligible for the Program, the Applicant must:

Be in substantial good standing with the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection prior to approval.
Provide a current tax clearance certificate prior to approval to demonstrate the applicant is in substantial good standing with the New Jersey Division of Taxation, unless the applicant is not required to register with the Division of Taxation.

Applying entities (per EIN) cannot have more than 100 full time jobs at time of application as per their last WR30 filed or any other documentation necessary to determine eligibility.

Eligible Uses

Grant funding may only be used for the following types of real estate projects located in Atlantic City:

New construction for a commercial end use that addresses a community need listed in the “Local impact considerations” described below (100% residential is not eligible but mixed-used construction is eligible; must have at least 20% of the total square footage of the building dedicated to a commercial use).
Renovation or restoration of a vacant or partially vacant building in need of repair (if the project consists of vacant space or partially vacant it would have to be at time of application and up to approval).
Projects that address at least one “Local impact consideration” as identified below and within Atlantic City.
Projects may include public infrastructure improvements that are necessary to complement or complete the Project.

This Program is not available for:

Any awardee of a Real Estate Grant under the NJEDA’s Activation Revitalization Transformation (ART) Program.
Projects that have started construction. Construction, including demolition and remediation, cannot start until approval by the Authority’s Board of Directors.
Real estate holding companies or other special purpose entities that exist solely to own property or a real estate project.
Any city, State, or county entity and any state colleges or universities.

Additional Project Requirements and Restrictions:

All Project costs (soft and hard construction costs – no operating costs) can be included and may include predevelopment projects costs associated to the Project.
The developer fee cannot exceed 8% of total Project costs.
Contingencies of total Project costs cannot exceed 10% of hard Project costs and 5% of soft Project costs. The Grant amount shall not increase after approval due to contingencies.

All Projects must be fully completed by the end of calendar year 2026 (as per US Treasury deadlines). Grants will be subject to federal Duplication of Benefits requirements.
A cost reasonableness analysis will be completed prior to any Project being approved.
Funding shall be subject to compliance with New Jersey prevailing wage law and other labor standards requirements. Other State requirements which may be applicable will depend on Project details and funding amounts, including New Jersey Executive Order 215 of 1989 regarding the requirement for environmental assessments.

Project Eligibility Considerations

As a federally funded Program meant to mitigate the negative impacts of COVID-19, applicants must demonstrate how the Project will benefit the community.

All Applicants will need to certify to the following requirements at the time of application, as applicable:

COVID Impact: The Project is responsive to the negative public health and/or economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and complies with all the ARP program requirements.
Capacity: The Applicant has experience implementing at least three similar scope and size projects (similar in budget size and scope) and provide documentation. Exceptions to this experience requirement is available only if the Applicant selects supporting “Small Business Efforts” or “Food Insecurity Efforts” as their local impact consideration at time of application, in which case the experience requirement is waived.
Long-term Impacts: How the project will have a positive long-term impact in the community or neighborhood where the Project will be located in.
Deed Restriction: If the property is owned by the applicant, they must agree to a 5-year deed restriction so that the project use cannot change after the later of their last disbursement or project closeout. If the property is leased, then the landlord must sign off on a certification and agree to the deed restriction.
Financial Viability: The project will be financially viable and self-sustaining after construction. The applicant is able to operate for the necessary time period pursuant to the 5-year deed restriction.
Project Completion: Applicant agrees to meet the U.S. Department of Treasury’s project completion timeline requirement of 12/31/2026 . In the event of failure for the construction project to timely complete by this US Treasury deadline, the Applicant further acknowledges that they may be held liable for the recapture of the grant funds they have drawn down or have received.
Local Impact Considerations: The Project addresses at least one of the following community initiatives:
- Small Business Support Efforts – Businesses that are engaged in the following are not eligible for funding: the conduct or purveyance of “adult” (i.e., pornographic, lewd, prurient, obscene or otherwise similarly disreputable) activities, services, products or materials (including nude or semi- nude performances or the sale of sexual aids or devices); any auction or bankruptcy or fire or “lost-our-lease” or “going-out-of- business” or similar sale; sales by transient merchants, Christmas tree sales or other outdoor storage; cannabis related businesses; casinos; or any activity constituting a nuisance.
- Clean and Safe Efforts
- Food Insecurity Efforts
- Downtown Vitality Efforts (all projects must be located from Sunset Avenue, Fairmount Avenue, Baltic Avenue to the boardwalk throughout Atlantic City).
- Job and Office Space Creation
U.S. Treasury Reporting: If requested by the Authority, the Applicant will cooperate to provide the U.S. Department of the Treasury with relevant information for reporting of all Project expenditures exceeding $1 million, as necessary.Specifically, all applications shall provide a narrative on how the Project will address the impacts of COVID-19 in Atlantic City, and why this capital expenditure is the most appropriate to address the economic harms caused by COVID-19.

Application Submission and Review Process

The Program will be open to the public and applicants will be able to apply online. The Program will operate on a rolling grant application basis, where Grants are awarded on a “first-come, first-served” basis as completed applications are submitted. The Authority will review applications as they are received. At the sole discretion of the Authority, staff may ask for clarification of the information included in the application, including but not limited to narrative responses, supporting documentation, and attachments.

The application window will remain open until all funds are awarded/exhausted. The Program will be available for three years from the date applications are made available to the public, or until the total funding pool is exhausted (whichever is sooner).

Applicants must register or log into the online application portal, complete all required application questions fully, and upload all required PDF document attachments including the following:

Evidence of site control. Applicant (on its own or through a wholly owned special purpose entity) must provide a deed, executed purchase and sale agreement, executed lease (term must be 5 years beyond project completion), any/all of which must be fully signed by both seller and purchaser/applicant;
Project description and overview of overall Project, related costs, and the proposed future use, describing the property/building(s) current and future state (i.e., vacant or partially vacant, abandoned, code violations, recent uses, any local, state, or federal historic designation/eligibility, brownfield site, location within designated redevelopment area, etc.); current or planned development/redevelopment efforts in the area proximate to the Project location;
Specify which Local Impact Considerations the Project addresses and describe the need for this Project in the community and how the Project benefits Atlantic City as a whole, the anticipated economic and local impact to the community, the development objectives, the projected jobs creation, the anticipated local impacts including possible projected increase in pedestrian traffic and the public access;
Explanation of how the Project is addressing a negative impact to Atlantic City as a result of COVID-19;
Provide a narrative (and documents as may be applicable) describing the viability/feasibility of the proposed project including current zoning status, local supports, identification of possible complexities or challenges with proceeding, and provide preliminary Project budget and funding plan, which shall include an Authority source and uses template;
Project development timeline/implementation schedule indicating readiness to proceed on the project and for the future supplemental use. Must also demonstrate that the project will be completed prior to 12/31/26;
Applicant’s formation and organizational documentation and/or authorizing documentation of the applicant;
Narrative and documentation of previous project experience (if applicable) and capacity to undertake and complete the Project by providing a description and providing documentation of three similar projects (in scope and budget size) to the proposed Project; and
Detailed project budget provided by a NJ certified and registered Public Works contractor, including all Project costs from pre-development and construction to close out and Certificate of Occupancy. All contracts of work, equipment installation must include NJ Prevailing Wage Rates.

Applicants must provide as much detail as possible regarding the Project steps involved, Project budget, community impact, and projected timeline for the Project from start to finish to show how the Grant funds will be used.

Applicants that demonstrate proof that the remaining amount of construction funding is secured at time of application will be approved before other completed applications that are still pending review. If the applicant hasn’t provided documentation to show they have fully secured the remaining funding, the applicant can proceed to an approval but won’t be able to execute their grant agreement until they provide this documentation. Secured means the applicant has provided an executed grant agreement, closed loan documents or agreements, or bank/financial institution statement to verify funds are available. Awardees will only have 6 months from approval to provide this documentation or forfeit their grant award.

All eligible applications will proceed to the Board for approvals, and all applications which will be declined for discretionary reasons will also proceed to the Board.

Grant Award and Agreement

Minimum grant awards will be $1 million and maximum award amounts will be up to $10 million. There will be one award per EIN and per eligible project location. Grants will be up to 50% of total Project costs (hard and soft construction costs).

The grant agreement will ensure that the funding shall be subject to compliance with New Jersey prevailing wage law and other labor standards requirements, as well as other State requirements that may be applicable depending on Project details and funding amounts, including, possibly, New Jersey Executive Order 215 of 1989 regarding the requirement for environmental assessments.

To ensure the grant is used properly and the community receives the benefit, the grant agreement will also include a provision that the Authority will ensure the end project use is maintained for at least 5 years after the project is completed. If the Applicant owns the property, a 5-year deed restriction on the property will be required to be filed utilizing the Authority’s required restriction language. The deed restriction will be released by the Authority after 5 years from final Project closeout. If the Applicant does not own the project their lease must demonstrate site control 5 years beyond project completion (including any renewal options). Awardees are also prohibited from selling all or a part of the Project, or terminate or reduce their lease, for up to 5 years after Project closeout or the Authority may require repayment of all of the Grant that has been disbursed. If the Project is not completed, the Awardee will have to repay the amount of funds disbursed to them.

Grant Funding Disbursements

The Authority will disburse grants only to the applicant after the execution of the grant agreement. Disbursement of Grant funding will be based on applicant’s requested drawdowns, which is calculated based upon expected contract costs with documentation of uses (such as AIA documents, contract payments for services providing during construction, and paid invoices related to the Project).

The Authority will allow for progressive drawdowns on the grant funds to support progressive project costs ($150,000 minimum on all requests unless it’s the final request) and such requests do not need to be pro-rata reimbursements based on actual costs incurred.

Staff will perform random site visits and will hold the final disbursement of 10% of the total award until the Project closeout is completed. Staff may also request any other support or documentation as needed for drawdowns.

The applicant must submit a Project close out request prior to the last disbursement of 10% of the awarded grant. The Project close out request, must include, but is not be limited to, all necessary information to evidence completion of the project and, when applicable, a Temporary Certificate of Occupancy. Once received, staff will perform a site visit to confirm and document the completed Project (including through photographs).

Fees

A $1,000 non-refundable application fee is required at time of application submission and may be paid by credit card only.

Additional Information

Comprehensive information about the Atlantic City Revitalization Grant Program is available at Atlantic City Revitalization Grant Program – NJEDA.

Questions concerning this Program’s Notice of Funding Availability should be submitted to ACrevitalization@njeda.gov.

The NJEDA is subject to State and Federal statutes including but not limited to the following which may impact affiliates: N.J.S.A. 52:32-60.1, et seq., which prevents the New Jersey government entities from certain dealings with businesses engaged in prohibited activities in Belarus or Russia; N.J.S.A. 24:6I-49 which provides that the following are not eligible for most State or local economic incentives (a) a person or entity issued a license to operate as a cannabis cultivator, manufacturer, wholesaler, distributor, retailer, or delivery service, or that employs a certified personal use cannabis handler to perform work for or on behalf of a cannabis establishment, distributor, or delivery service; and (b) a property owner, developer, or operator of a project to be used, in whole or in part, by or to benefit a cannabis cultivator, manufacturer, wholesaler, distributor, retailer, or delivery service, or to employ a certified personal use cannabis handler to perform work for or on behalf of a cannabis establishment, distributor, or delivery service; and N.J.S.A. 52:13D-12, et seq., which prohibits a member of the Legislature or a State officer or employee or their partners or a corporation in which they owns or controls more than 1% of the stock to undertake or execute any contract, agreement, sale, or purchase of $25.00 or more, made, entered into, awarded or granted by any State agency, with certain limited exceptions.

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Catalyst Research and Development Pilot Seed Grant Program, Round 3

Notice of Funding Availability

The New Jersey Commission on Science, Innovation and Technology (“CSIT”) will launch an online application for Catalyst Research and Development (“R&D”) Pilot Seed Grant Program, Round 3 (“Program”) at 9am on December 12, 2023 at www.njeda.com/csit. Applications will be open through January 18, 2024, at 5 pm.
The Program has a total budget of $1,500,000 for grant awards of up to $75,000 each. This is a competitive grant. No application, transaction, or termination fees will be collected by CSIT for this program. Decisions on this grant award are expected to be made by 1st quarter of 2024.

Purpose

This grant opportunity is issued by the New Jersey Commission on Science, Innovation and Technology (CSIT). The goal of the Program is to help early-stage innovation-based companies in New Jersey (“NJ”) accelerate development of technologies to transform new discoveries from research stage into commercially viable products and services. The grant funds will enable applicants to make significant progress and impact on their commercialization outcomes.

The Program is for companies conducting research and development or testing technologies in the following targeted industry areas:

• Advanced Manufacturing
• Advanced Transportation and Logistics
• Film and Digital Media
• Life Sciences – (medical devices, diagnostics, platforms, non-drug therapeutics projects)
• Non-Retail Food and Beverage
• Professional and Financial Services (fintech, etc.)
• Technology (hard technology, AI, software development, machine learning, etc.)

All applicants for the Program must provide a proof of concept for the project that is being proposed for funding.

Program Overview

The Program has a total budget of $1,500,000 and will award grants of up to $75,000 to support twenty (20) early-stage innovation-based NJ companies that have the potential to impact the targeted industries. Total funding for the Program will come from CSIT’s Fiscal Year 2024 budget. The Program will be implemented by CSIT.

Grants will be awarded on a competitive basis, with awards going to the twenty (20) highest scoring applicants, provided each of those highest scoring applicants has met the minimum score of 70.

Applicants can only submit one application for this grant. Multiple applications from the same company will NOT be accepted. Applicants that apply to the Catalyst R&D Pilot Seed Grant Program, Round 3 are not eligible to apply for the Clean Tech R&D Pilot Seed Grant Program, Round 3. Recipients of two or more active CSIT Seed or Demonstration Grants are ineligible for this Program.

Each approved grant will be valid for a period of twelve (12) months from the date of the execution of the grant agreement. Any unused portion of the grant will be cancelled after the twelve months and must be returned to CSIT. An extension for up to an additional three (3) months may be permitted at the sole discretion of CSIT.

Eligibility

Each applicant to the Program must meet the following eligibility criteria at the time of application and during the entire review and approval period to be eligible for an award:

• Be authorized and in good standing to conduct business in NJ, as evidenced by a current NJ tax clearance certificate addressed to New Jersey Commission on Science, Innovation and Technology. All certificates listing another state agency will be rejected.
• Have no more than 50 full-time equivalent (“FTE”) workers (FTE is calculated on a 35-hour work week) at time of application.
• Have a minimum of one full-time worker (35 hours per week basis). A founder can be counted as a worker, and a worker may be paid or unpaid.
• Fifty percent or more of the cumulative hours worked by all workers, founders, and contractors must be conducted in NJ (as calculated on an FTE basis of 35 hours per week).
• Have less than or equal to five million dollars ($5,000,000) in prior calendar year sales revenue (excluding grant revenue).

Eligible Uses
The grant funding can be utilized for only project research and development activities specified in the grantee’s application.

Ineligible Uses

The following expense categories are ineligible for funding by this grant:

• Direct services to individuals or organizations
• Manufacturing of products for sale or commercial use
• Real estate rental expenses
• Patient clinical trial expenses
• Construction costs
• Travel, entertainment, and other similar expenses
• Allocations of general overhead expenses
• Any expenditures incurred before the grant agreement is signed by both the grantee and CSIT
• Any expenses for equipment and materials that applicant does not use for the Project during the Project period
• Fees related to conferences not associated with the Project

In addition, no more than 30% of the budget proposed for the Project may be spent on:

• Marketing and customer discovery specific to the innovation;
• IP patent prosecution and licensing-related expenses; and
• Registration fees for conferences associated with the Project.

Disbursement of funds

First disbursement of 80% of grant award will be made following execution of the grant agreement.
Second disbursement of 20% will be made after grantee’s final report is submitted and approved by CSIT.

Application Process

All applications to the Program must include the following documentation:

a. Completed online application

b. Evidence that proof of concept has been achieved for the project. Submit one or more of the following:

• Description of the proof-of-concept results
• Published paper outlining results achieved
• Successful completion of a federal SBIR/STTR grant or contract related to the project
• Confirmation documentation from a university tech transfer office if the project relates to technology that has been developed at the same university

c. Budget and Milestone Proposals (Excel templated embedded within online application)

d. Employee information as appropriate for applicable company structure and staffing -i.e., most recent NJ WR-30 (W2 employees) or 1099 (contractors), Shareholder Agreement or K-1, or offer letters. Please note that if a Professional Employment Organization (PEO) is utilized, the applicant must submit confirmation of PEO-A form issued by the New Jersey Department of Labor (DOL). These confirmations are issued on an annual basis and are valid for a year. See https://www.nj.gov/labor/ea/employer-services/leasing-companies/ for additional information on PEOs.

e. Summary of most recent Internal Payroll (Q4 2023 or Q1 2024) indicating each employee name and number of hours worked per week.

f. Most recent Company tax filing; Federal 941 and either an NJ-CBT-100 (Schedule A), Form- 1065 or Form -1040 (Schedule C) or whichever is applicable to the organizational form of your business, showing the total Gross Receipts or Sales for the year.

g. Current NJ tax clearance certificate addressed to CSIT (Tax clearance must be dated November 15, 2023 or after). https://www16.state.nj.us/NJ_PREMIER_EBIZ/jsp/home.jsp. DUE No Later Than February 16, 2024, or application will be declined. NJ certificates may not be immediately available; therefore, these should be applied for well before the February 16, 2024 due date.

h. If applicable, copy of Women, Minority, and/or Veteran owned business NJ certification https://www.njportal.com/DOR/SBERegistry/Default/
DUE No Later Than February 16, 2024, or relevant bonus points will not be awarded.

i. If applicable, a copy of Executed University License Agreement with University. DUE No Later Than February 16, 2024, or relevant bonus points will not be awarded.

j. Completed Application Certification

k. Completed CSIT Legal Debarment Questionnaire

l. For companies with a dba name (“doing business as”), CSIT requires proof of NJ registration reflecting the same.

The following steps detail the application submission and review process:
• A document completeness review will be done as applications are received.
• Applicants with missing documentation will be notified and given 10 business days to submit missing documents. If the application remains incomplete by the resubmission deadline, it will be rejected.
• Only complete applications will be evaluated and scored. Applicants must submit the NJ tax clearance certificate by the start of the application scoring period. Otherwise, the application will be declined. If the documentation for any bonus category is not received by the application scoring period, bonus points will not be applied.
• Applicants that have indicated in the application that they are a minority/women/veteran owned business, but that do not submit the NJ state certification at the time of the application, will have up to the start of the application scoring period to submit the document. If the documentation is not received by that point, bonus points will not be applied to the application.
• An evaluation committee comprised of CSIT and New Jersey Economic Development Authority (“NJEDA”) staff will review and assign a score to each application, after receiving qualitative input from subject matter experts (“SMEs”). As part of the process, all applicants with complete applications will be invited, but are not required, to make a brief presentation about their project and submit it to the evaluation committee and SMEs.
• In order to be eligible for funding, an applicant must receive a minimum score of 70 out of the available 100 points on the standard scoring criteria, before allocation of bonus points.
• Denied applications may appeal CSIT’s decision within the timeframe provided in CSIT’s declination letter. Appeals must be written and include an explanation as to how the applicant has met the application criteria.

Scoring
Scoring Criteria – Grant awards will go to twenty applicants with the highest scores, until Program funds are expended. All applicants must achieve a minimum score of 70 points to be eligible for a grant.
• Innovation (up to 30 points)
• Market Opportunity and Strategy (up to 20 points) (Referred to as “Go-to Market Strategy” and “Market Opportunity and Strategy” scoring criteria in prior rounds)
• Implementation plan -budget and milestones (up to 20 points)
• Economic and Broader impacts, such as social, health, education, housing, safety, infrastructure impacts (up to10 points)
• Team (up to 20 points)
Bonus Points – Once the minimum score of 70 points is achieved, bonus points will be awarded to applicants that satisfy the following additional criteria:
• Company is using technology initially developed at a NJ university, under an executed license agreement with such university (15 points)
• NJ certified women-owned business (10 points)
• NJ certified minority-owned business (10 points)
• NJ certified veteran-owned business (10 points)
• Primary place of business/research & development located within an opportunity zone eligible census tract or government restricted municipality (5 points)
• Has not previously received a CSIT grant or voucher (10 points)

Board Approval
The CSIT Program Committee will review scored applications and make funding recommendations to the CSIT Board. The CSIT Board will make the final decision on grant award winners.

Fees
No application, transaction, or termination fees will be collected by CSIT for this program.

Additional Requirements and Information
Applicants must be in good standing with both New Jersey Department of Labor (“DOL”) and New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (“DEP”) to be eligible for an grant award.
For three years from the date of the grant Agreement, workers and consultants who continue working on the project must conduct at least 50% of their work in a NJ location. Failure to comply with this requirement will result in the awardee having to make a full re-payment of the grant award.
All grant awardees must report economic impact data to CSIT upon the completion of the project and then every year for the next three years after project completion by submitting an Economic Impact Questionnaire provided by CSIT.
All grant awardees are encouraged to commit to participate in one check-in meeting (in-person or virtual) six months from the start of Project term with the CSIT team for update on project.
All grant awardees are encouraged to commit to participate in future CSIT/NJEDA alumni activities, such as serving as a panel member or participating in interviews about program experience.

Confidentiality
Applications received will be reviewed only by staff of CSIT, NJEDA and SMEs. SMEs will execute non-disclosure agreements prior to reviewing the applications. All applications submitted will be subject to requests for disclosure, including but not limited to requests pursuant to the Open Public Records Act (“OPRA”) N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1 et seq. If the applicant believes that information contained in its proposal merits confidential treatment pursuant to OPRA, any such purportedly confidential information submitted to CSIT must be specifically identified and marked as “confidential” by the applicant.

Additional Information
Comprehensive information about the Catalyst Research and Development Pilot Seed Grant Program, Round 3 is available at https://www.njeda.gov/csit. Questions concerning this Program and Notice of Funding Availability should be submitted csitcatalyst@njeda.gov

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Clean Tech Seed Grant Program – Round 3

Notice of Funding Availability

The New Jersey Commission on Science, Innovation and Technology (“CSIT”) will launch an online application for Clean Tech Research and Development (“R&D”) Pilot Seed Grant Program, Round 3 (“Program”) at 9 am on December 12, 2023 at www.njeda.com/csit. Applications will be open through January 18, 2023 at 5 pm.

The Program has a total budget of $1,500,000 for grant awards of up to $75,000 each. This is a competitive grant. No application, transaction, or termination fees will be collected by CSIT for this program. Decisions on this grant award are expected to be made by first quarter of 2024.

Purpose

This grant opportunity is issued by the New Jersey Commission on Science, Innovation and Technology (CSIT). The goal of the Program is to help early-stage clean technology/clean energy companies in New Jersey (“NJ”) accelerate development and innovation of clean technologies to transform new discoveries from research stage into commercially viable technologies. The grant funds will enable clean technology and clean energy companies make significant progress and have a meaningful impact on their commercialization outcomes.

The Program is for companies developing or testing clean technologies intended to avoid emissions of, or recapture, greenhouse gases and/or criteria pollutants, or to enable such avoidance or recapture in the following targeted industry areas:

Chemicals/Advance Materials
Energy Distribution/Storage
Energy Efficiency
Energy Generation
Green Buildings
Transportation
Waste Processing
Water and Agriculture

All applicants must be conducting research between a Technology Readiness Level (“TRL”) 2 (Applied Research) and 7 (Integrated Pilot System Demonstrated). TRL is a method of estimating technology maturity. The TRL scale ranges from 1 (basic principle observed) through 9 (total system used successfully in project operations). See Exhibit A, attached.

Applicants are requested to use the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (“NYSERDA”) Technology and Commercialization Readiness Calculator tool included in the Technical Proposal to determine their TRL score.

Program Overview

The Program has a total budget of $1,500,000 and will award grants of up to $75,000 to support twenty (20) early-stage innovation-based NJ companies that have the potential to impact the targeted industries. Funding is provided by the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities and the the Program will be implemented by CSIT.

Grants will be awarded on a competitive basis, with awards going to the twenty (20) highest scoring applicants, provided each of those highest scoring applicants has met the minimum score of 70.

Applicants can only submit one application for this grant. Multiple application from the same company will NOT be accepted. Recipients of two or more active CSIT Seed or Demonstration Grants are ineligible for this Program.

Eligibility

Each applicant to the Program must meet the following eligibility criteria at the time of application and during the entire review period to be eligible for an award:

Be authorized and in good standing to conduct business in New Jersey as evidenced by a current New Jersey tax clearance certificate addressed to CSIT. All certificates listing another state agency will be rejected.
Have no more than fifty full-time equivalent (“FTE”) workers (FTE calculated on a 35-hour work week) at time of application.
Have a minimum of one full time worker. A worker may be the founder and may be paid or unpaid.
Fifty percent or more of the cumulative hours worked by all workers, founders, and contractors must be conducted in NJ (calculated on an FTE basis of 35 hours per week).
Have less than or equal to five million dollars ($5,000,000) in prior calendar year sales revenue (excluding grant revenue).

Eligible Uses

The grant funding can be utilized for project research and development activities specified in the grantee’s application.

Ineligible Uses

The following expense categories are ineligible for funding by this grant:

Direct services to individuals or organizations;
Manufacturing of products for sale or commercial use;
Real estate rental expenses;
Patient clinical trial expenses;
Construction costs;
Travel, entertainment, and other similar expenses;
Allocations of general overhead expenses;
Any expenditures incurred before the grant agreement is signed by both the grantee and CSIT;
Any expenses for equipment and materials that applicant does not use for the Project during the Project period; or
Fees related to Conferences not associated with the Project

In addition, no more than 30% of the budget proposed for the Project may be spent on:

Marketing and customer discovery specific to the innovation;
IP patent prosecution and licensing-related expenses; and
Registration fees for conferences associated with the Project.

Disbursement of funds

The first disbursement of eighty percent (80%) of the grant award will be disbursed upon execution of the Grant Agreement following the award, and the remaining twenty percent (20%) will be disbursed after the submission of Final Report and Project Completion report to CSIT.

Application Process

All applications to the Program, must include the following documentation:

Completed online application
Budget and Milestone Proposals (Excel template embedded within online application)
Uploaded results from Technology Readiness Level (TRL) Calculator Excel file (The

TRL Template is embedded within online application)

Employee information as appropriate for applicable company structure and staffing -i.e., most recent NJ WR-30 (W2 employees) or 1099 (contractors), shareholder agreement or K- 1 or offer letters. Please note that if a professional employment organization (PEO) is

utilized, the applicant must submit confirmation of PEO-A form issued by the NJ Department of Labor (DOL), These confirmations are issued on an annual basis and are valid for a year. See https://www.nj.gov/labor/ea/employer-services/leasing-companies/ for additional information on PEOs.

Summary of the most recent Internal Payroll (Q4 2023 or Q1 2024) indicating each employee name and number of hours worked per week.
Most recent Company tax filing: Federal 941 and either an NJ-CBT-100 (Schedule A), Form- 1065 or Form -1040 (Schedule C) or whichever is applicable to the organizational form of your business, showing the total Gross Receipts or Sales for the year.
Current NJ tax clearance certificate addressed to CSIT (Tax clearance must be dated November 15, 2023 or after). https://www16.state.nj.us/NJ_PREMIER_EBIZ/jsp/home.jsp. DUE No Later Than February 16, 2024, or application will be declined. NJ certificates may not be immediately available; therefore, these should be applied for well before the February 16, 2024 due date.
If applicable, copy of Woman, Minority and/or Veteran-owned business New Jersey certification https://www.njportal.com/DOR/SBERegistry/Default/ DUE No Later Than February 16, 2024, or relevant bonus points will not be awarded. NJ certificates may not be immediately available; therefore, these should be applied for well before the February 16, 2024 due date.
If applicable, a copy of Executed University License Agreement with University. DUE No Later Than February 16, 2024, or relevant bonus points will not be awarded.
Completed Application Certification
Completed CSIT Legal Debarment Questionnaire
For companies with a dba name (“doing business as”), CSIT requires proof of NJ registration reflecting the same.

Applications to the Program may be submitted using CSIT’s online application Portal at Commission on Science, Innovation and Technology – NJEDA) The online application enables applicants to electronically upload a signed PDF.

The application Portal will be open from Friday, December 12, 2023, at 9AM to Thursday, January 18, 2024 at 5PM EST. All interested applicants must submit their applications by the deadline.
If an applicant prefers not to provide an electronic application certification, they may:
Mail a hard copy of the signed application certification postmarked by the application deadline to CSIT at:

Commission on Science, Innovation and Technology Attn: Judith Sheft (Executive Director)

36 W State Street PO Box 990 Trenton, NJ 08625

AND

Email CSIT with the subject line: “MAILED Application Certification Clean Tech Seed Grant Pilot Program, Round 3,” indicating that the certification document has been mailed. Only signed CSIT Application Certification should be mailed; the rest of the application must be submitted through the online system.
Applications that are postmarked after the application deadline (January 18, 2024 at 5PM EST) will not be considered.

CSIT will host an informational webinar on the Clean Tech Seed Grant Pilot Program, Round 3, on December 7^th, 2023. A recording of the webinar will be posted on CSIT’s webpage. Information on registration for the webinar can be found on CSIT’s webpage.

The following steps detail the application submission and review process:

A document completeness review will be done as applications are received.
Applicants with missing documentation will be notified and given 10 business days to submit missing documents. If the application remains incomplete by the resubmission deadline, it will be rejected.
Only completed applications will be evaluated and scored. Applicants must submit the NJ tax clearance certificate by the start of the application scoring period. Otherwise, the application will be declined. If the documentation for any bonus category is not received by the application scoring period, bonus points will not be applied.
Applicants that have indicated in the application that they are a minority/women/veteran owned business, but that do not submit the NJ state certification at the time of the application, will have up to the start of the application scoring period to submit the document. If the documentation is not received by that point, bonus points will not be applied to the application.
An evaluation committee comprised of CSIT and New Jersey Economic Development Authority (“NJEDA”) staff will review and assign a score to each application after receiving qualitative input from subject matter experts (“SMEs”). As part of the process, all applicants with complete applications will be invited, but are not required, to make a brief presentation about their project and submit it to the evaluation committee and SMEs.
In order to be eligible for funding, an applicant must receive a minimum score of 70 out of the available 100 points on the standard scoring criteria, before allocation of bonus points.

Scoring

Scoring Criteria – Grant awards will go to twenty applicants with the highest scores, until the program funds are expended. All applicants must achieve a minimum score of 70 points to be eligible for a grant.

Innovation (up to 30 points)
- Market Opportunity and Strategy (up to 20 points) (Referred to as “Go-to Market Strategy” and “Market Opportunity and Strategy” scoring criteria in prior rounds)
- Implementation Plan – Budget and Milestones (up to 20 points)
- Economic and Broader impact, such as social, health, education, housing, safety, infrastructure impacts (up to10 points)
- Team (up to 20 points)

Bonus Points – Once the minimum score of 70 points is achieved, bonus points will be awarded to applicants that satisfy the following additional criteria:

Company is using technology initially developed at a New Jersey university, under an executed license agreement with such university (15 points)
NJ certified woman-owned business (10 points)
NJ certified minority-owned business (10 points)
NJ certified veteran-owned business (10 points)
Primary place of business or R&D located within an opportunity zone eligible census tract or government restricted municipality (5 points)
Company has not previously received a CSIT grant or voucher (10 points)

Board Approval

The CSIT Program Committee will review scored applications and make funding recommendations to the CSIT Board. The CSIT Board will make the final decision on grant award winners.

Fees

No application, transaction, or termination fees will be collected by CSIT for this program.

Additional Requirements and Information

Applicants must be in good standing with both the New Jersey Department of Labor (“DOL”) and New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (“DEP”) to be eligible for a grant award.

For three years from the date of the grant agreement, workers and consultants who continue working on the project must conduct at least 50% of their work in a NJ location. Failure to comply will result in the awardee having to make a full re-payment of the grant award.

All grant awardees must report economic impact data to CSIT upon the completion of the project and then every year for the next three years after project completion by submitting an Economic Impact Questionnaire provided by CSIT.

All grant awardees are encouraged to participate in future CSIT/NJEDA/NJBPU alumni activities, such as serving as a panel member or participating in interviews about Program experience.

Confidentiality

Applications will be reviewed only by staff of CSIT, NJEDA and SMEs. All applications are subject to requests for disclosure, including but not limited to, a request pursuant to the Open Public Records Act (“OPRA”), N.J.S.A.47:1A-1 et seq. If the applicant believes that information contained in its proposal merits confidential treatment pursuant to OPRA, any such purportedly confidential information submitted to CSIT must be specifically identified and marked as “confidential” by the applicant.

Additional Information

Comprehensive information about the Clean Tech Research and Development Pilot Seed Grant Program, Round 3 is available at https://www.njeda.gov/csit . Questions concerning this Program and Notice of Funding Availability should be submitted csitcleantech@njeda.gov

Click Here for Full PDF

Attachment A: Technology Readiness Levels (TRL1)

TRL 1

Basic Research: Initial scientific research has been conducted. Principles are qualitatively postulated and observed. Focus is on new discovery rather than applications.

TRL 2

Applied Research: Initial practical applications are identified. Potential of material or process to solve a problem, satisfy a need, or find application is confirmed.

TRL 3

Critical Function or Proof of Concept Established: Applied research advances and early-stage development begins. Studies and laboratory measurements validate analytical predictions of separate elements of the technology.

TRL 4

Lab Testing/Validation of Alpha Prototype Component/Process: Design, development and lab testing of components/processes. Results provide evidence that performance targets may be attainable based on projected or modeled systems.

TRL 5

Laboratory Testing of Integrated/Semi-Integrated System: System Component and/or process validation is achieved in a relevant environment.

TRL 6

Prototype System Verified: System/process prototype demonstration in an operational environment (beta prototype system level).

TRL 7

Integrated Pilot System Demonstrated: System/process prototype demonstration in an operational environment (integrated pilot system level).

TRL 8

System Incorporated in Commercial Design: Actual system/process completed and qualified through test and demonstration (pre-commercial demonstration).

TRL 9

System Proven and Ready for Full Commercial Deployment: Actual system proven through successful operations in operating environment, and ready for full commercial deployment.

Cannabis Equity Grant Program – Seed Equity Grant Product (Product 1)

Notice of Funding Availability

REVISED ON DECEMBER 19TH, 2023, EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY

Revision extends the window to provide missing information related to an application to 10 business days.

The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (“NJEDA” or “Authority”) will begin accepting applications for the Cannabis Equity Grant Program – Seed Equity Grant Product at 10:00 a.m. EST on November 30, 2023. The application can be accessed at https://www.njeda.com/cannabis. Applications will be accepted on a first come, first evaluated basis during a 180-day period starting on November 30, 2023, or until grant funding is exhausted. $4,000,000 has been allocated for the Cannabis Equity Grant Program – Seed Equity Grant Product (“Product 1” in the Cannabis Equity Grant memorandum to the NJEDA Board dated December 21, 2022). Grant awards of up to $150,000 will be made to support cannabis entrepreneurship in New Jersey.

Purpose

In an effort to create new and lasting entrepreneurship opportunities in New Jersey’s legalized cannabis industry, the NJEDA has created the Cannabis Equity Grant Program – Seed Equity Grant Product (“Seed Equity Grant”). This product has an award pool of $8,000,000 and will provide grant awards of up to $150,000 for start-up expenses and operational costs to cannabis businesses that meet the eligibility criteria.

Overview

On July 19, 2019, the New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission (“NJ CRC”) was formed to establish and grow a responsible, regulated medicinal cannabis industry. On February 22, 2021, Governor Phil Murphy signed the “New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory, Enforcement, Assistance, and Marketplace Modernization Act” (“CREAMM Act”), into law as P.L. 2021, c. 16 (N.J.S.A. 24:6I-31, et seq). The CREAMM Act legalizes personal use cannabis for adults, subject to regulation by the NJ CRC and removes marijuana as a Schedule I drug under State law. In June 2022, the Governor signed P.L. 2022, c. 48, amending the CREAMM Act to allow the Authority to award financial incentives for the purpose of providing financial and technical assistance to a prospective or licensed cannabis business that qualifies as a small business under the statute. Five percent of the available funds will be reserved for grantees whose businesses are located or will be located in an Impact Zone, as defined in the CREAMM Act.

The Seed Equity Grant product aims to target Social Equity Businesses that have obtained a conditional license from the NJ CRC and need financial and/or technical assistance in converting their conditional license to an annual license. Upon approval, successful applicants will be required to enroll in a NJEDA technical assistance program.

Grant Amounts and Disbursements

Funds will be distributed from an award pool of $8,000,000 to approved applicants that meet the grant eligibility requirements until funds are exhausted. Approved applicants will be required to demonstrate they have a conditional license and have received a Social Equity Business designation from NJ CRC. A Social Equity Business is defined in N.J.A.C. 17:30-6.6. Five percent of grants will be reserved for Social Equity Businesses that are in an Impact Zone, in accordance with P.L. 2022, c. 48. Successful applicants will be eligible for a grant award of up to $150,000.

The grant will be disbursed incrementally based on the successful applicant meeting the below milestones. In total, four disbursements will be available to successful applicants and expenditure of each prior disbursement must be shown as follows. Compliant documentation for each phase of disbursement is required. All eligible expenses must have been incurred after March 9, 2020.

1) An initial disbursement of up to $37,500 will be made upon the successful applicant completing the fourth week of the NJEDA provided technical assistance program that is required for grantees and approval of eligible expenses. Successful applicants must either: a) provide receipts that they have spent $37,500 in eligible expenses or b) provide a business spending plan detailing how the $37,500 will be spent on eligible expenses

2) The second disbursement of up to $37,500 will be made upon the successful applicant completing the full NJEDA provided technical assistance program that is required for grantees. Additionally, in order to be eligible for this second disbursement, Grantees must also provide evidence that they have spent the previous disbursement on eligible expenses.

3) The third disbursement of up to $37,500 will be made upon the successful applicant obtaining site control and municipal approval to operate and open a physical location for their cannabis business in a New Jersey municipality. Additionally, in order to be eligible for this third disbursement, Grantees must also provide evidence that they have spent the previous disbursement on eligible expenses.

4) The final disbursement of up to $37,500 will be made upon the successful applicant obtaining a NJ CRC issued annual license. In addition, prior to final disbursement, Grantees must provide evidence that they have spent the previous disbursement on eligible expenses and must provide receipts for the final disbursement that they have spent $37,500 in eligible expenses.

Eligibility

Program eligibility is limited to businesses that can demonstrate the following:

1) The business holds a NJ CRC conditional license, in any class, for recreational use. Alternative Treatment Centers certified to operate in adult personal-use market are not eligible for this grant.

2) The business is designated as a Social Equity Business conditional license holder in accordance with NJ CRC rules (N.J.A.C. 17:30-6.6).

3) The business has 50 or fewer full-time employees at the time of application, as evidenced by a WR30, or other documentation acceptable to the NJEDA.

4) The business is in good standing with the NJ CRC, the Division of Taxation (as evidenced by a valid tax clearance certificate), the Department of Environmental Protection, and the Department of Labor and Workforce Development, at the time of application.

5) The business has documents of incorporation (or other formation documents acceptable to NJEDA) showing operations were commenced after the issuance of Executive Order No. 103 (March 9, 2020).

6) The owner or owners of 51 percent or more of the business:

• Have established one non-home-based retail, agricultural, personal services, or manufacturing businesses in any US state or territory; or

• Has two or more years of experience as an owner, manager, executive or supervisor of a retail, agricultural, personal services, or manufacturing business.

7) The owner or owners of 51 percent or more of the business have completed one of the following courses or can demonstrate three years of management experience as set forth below:

• A professional cannabis education course (including but not limited to a course or courses in cannabis business, cannabis law, cannabis operations, cannabis plant science/plant cultivation or economics of cannabis) offered by an accredited higher education institution, a state or local government, or a private provider with at least two years of operations and a minimum of 200 program graduates as verifiable by the institution; or

A small business entrepreneurship training course; or

• Six college credits in business, management, finance, economics, accounting, agricultural sciences, logistics/supply chain management or marketing; or

• Has three or more years of experience as an owner, manager, executive, or supervisor of a retail, agricultural, personal services, or manufacturing business that requires advanced knowledge, skills and/or training to deliver such a service to an individual, business, or manufacturer.

Eligible Uses The program is designed to support start-up expenses and operational costs for cannabis businesses during early-stage operation. Eligible uses may include, but are not limited, to:

• Rental expenses evidenced by a fully executed lease. Up to thirty-six lease payments may be covered after the date that the conditional license is awarded by the NJ CRC.

• Payroll and independent contractor payments as evidenced by a payroll report, WR30, or equivalent payroll documentation and payment documentation for 1099 contractors.

• Regulatory compliance expenses such as those related to all professional and advisory services required to (1) document, analyze, complete, and file a NJ CRC application; and (2) comply with all regulations, rules, controls, statutes, and any other requirements related to the legal operation of a New Jersey licensed cannabis business.

• Legal expenses associated with opening and operating the business.

• External employee training related to preparing staff to accomplish their job duties.

• Professional services including but not limited to accounting, human resources, business planning, security, marketing, website creation, lab services, and any other outside services that may be needed to operate a New Jersey licensed cannabis business or obtain any license or authorization to operate as a New Jersey licensed cannabis business from the NJ CRC.

• Utilities and overhead fees (e.g., expenses that are not directly related to a product or good but are necessary for business operations).

• Commercial mortgage payments.

• Business supply- items needed to operate the eligible business (e.g., office supplies and other supplies needed to maintain normal business operations).

• Business equipment under $2,000, inclusive of installation – Equipment or tangible property that includes machinery, furniture, fixtures, vehicles, computers, electronic devices, and office machines under $2,000.

Grant funds may not be used for:

• Controlled inventory

• Construction

• Equipment and installation costing greater than $2,000

• Purchase of land

• Demolition of an existing structure

• Rolling stock.

All uses and documentation are subject to NJEDA review and approval. All receipts and/or invoices must be dated after March 9, 2020

Grant Amounts

The Seed Equity Grant product will award grants of up to $150,000 per successful applicant. There is a limit of one grant award per EIN. This grant is only open to businesses that have been designated by NJ CRC as a Social Equity Business, which is defined in N.J.A.C. 17:30-6.6. Five percent of the award pool is reserved for Social Equity Businesses with project locations in an Impact Zone.

Application Submission and Review Process

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis subject to the availability of funds. All applications will be reviewed for completeness and evaluated in the order that they are received by the Authority. At the sole discretion of the Authority, staff may ask for any necessary clarifications of the information provided in the application including, but not limited to, responses, documentation, and attachments. Applicants will be given 10 business days to respond to the clarification requests. If at the end of the cure period the applicant is non-responsive, the application will be deemed withdrawn.

Required Application Information

Applicants will be required to provide the following documents:

• New Jersey Certificate of Incorporation or other formation documentation;

• Current New Jersey Tax Clearance Certificate;

• NJ CRC issued recreational conditional cannabis license, as specified in the eligibility criteria;

NJ WR-30 (if applicable) as evidenced through payroll WR30 or other documentation acceptable to the NJEDA.
Completed Legal Questionnaire in accordance with Executive Order 34 (Byrne) and the Authority’s Disqualification/Debarment Regulations (N.J.A.C. 19:30-2.1, et seq.).

For the purposes of the Cannabis Equity Grant Program only, the NJEDA Board has authorized NJEDA staff to:

not disqualify, debar, or suspend applicants convicted of marijuana and hashish related offenses that meet the criteria for a “Social Equity Business” as defined in the Cannabis Regulatory Commission’s rules, specifically N.J.A.C. 17:30-6.6 as administered by CRC, provided the applicant does not have other disqualifying convictions or judgments; and
limit the timeframe for investigation into criminal matters to those where the date of conviction, satisfactory completion of probation or parole, or release from incarceration, whichever is later, occurred five years prior to the date of program application, in accordance with N.J.A.C. 17:30-7.12. This modification to the delegated authority approved by the Board on June 8, 2022, will be consistent with NJ CRC’s timeframe for disqualifying convictions (as stated in N.J.A.C. 17:30-7.12(d)).

Fees

Seed Equity applicants will be granted a fee waiver.

Additional Information

Comprehensive information about the Cannabis Equity Grant Program – Seed Equity Product is available at https://www.njeda.gov/cannabis. Questions concerning this Program and Notice of Funding Availability should be submitted to cannabis@njeda.gov.

The NJEDA is subject to statutes and regulations including but not limited to the following which may impact affiliates: N.J.S.A. 52:32-60.1, et seq., which prevents New Jersey government entities from certain dealings with businesses on the Treasury list of those engaged in prohibited activities in Belarus or Russia; and N.J.S.A. 52:13D-12, et seq., which prohibits a member of the Legislature or a State officer or employee or their partners or a corporation in which they owns or controls more than 1% of the stock to undertake or execute any contract, agreement, sale, or purchase of $25.00 or more, made, entered into, awarded or granted by any State agency, with certain limited exceptions.

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Clean Tech Research and Development (R&D) Voucher Program Pilot, Round 3

Notice of Funding Availability

The New Jersey Commission on Science, Innovation and Technology (CSIT) expects to launch an online application for the Clean Tech Research and Development (R&D) Voucher Program Pilot, Round 3 at 9:00 am on Friday, November 17, 2023 at www.njeda.com/csit. Applications will be reviewed and accepted on a rolling basis as long as program funds are available. No fees will be charged for this program.

Comprehensive information about the Clean Tech R&D Voucher Program Pilot Round 3 is available at https://www.njeda.gov/csit Questions concerning this Program and Notice of Funding Availability should be submitted csitcleantech@njeda.gov .

Purpose

This grant opportunity is issued by the New Jersey Commission on Science, Innovation and Technology (CSIT) in collaboration with the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA), which are seeking applications from qualified applicants for the Clean Tech Research and Development (R&D) Voucher Program Pilot, Round 3 (“Program”) to support early-stage businesses in the State. The goal of the Program is to support New Jersey based early-stage clean tech/clean energy company efforts to accelerate development and innovation of clean technologies to transform new discoveries from the research stage into commercially viable technologies, leading to industry and investor interest in the following target areas:

Chemicals/Advance Materials
Energy Distribution/Storage
Energy Efficiency
Energy Generation
Green Buildings
Transportation
Waste Processing
Water and Agriculture

Overview

Clean Tech Research and Development (R&D) Voucher Program Pilot, Round 3 has a total budget of $300,000 from rollover funding from the FY23 Board of Public Utility (BPU) budget for voucher awards. The Program will be implemented by CSIT and technical support will be provided at participating university/college facilities, federal lab facilities and makerspaces.

The objectives of the Program are to:

improve awareness, access to and utilization of New Jersey’s world-leading equipment, facilities and makerspaces; and
subsidize access to research and development equipment, facilities and makerspaces for small New Jersey-based companies that are developing innovative technologies in the clean energy/clean tech space.

Program Details

The Program will subsidize the cost of access to participating New Jersey facilities and makerspaces for businesses to access equipment, labs, and facilities for clean energy/clean technological research and development. An asset map listing New Jersey university/college and federal laboratory facilities will be available on the CSIT webpage (www.njeda.com/csit).

Each approved voucher will be valid for a period of twelve months, starting from date of the execution of the Voucher Agreement. Any unused approved voucher amounts will be cancelled after the twelve-month period and returned to the Program budget for future use. At CSIT’s sole discretion, a one- time voucher extension of up to three months may be approved if requested in writing.

Provided that funding is available, all complete applications that meet the eligibility criteria and are in compliance with the required documentation are eligible for funding.

Eligibility

To be eligible for the Clean Tech Research and Development (R&D) Voucher Program Pilot, Round 3 applicant companies must:

Be authorized and in good standing to conduct business in NJ, as evidenced by a current NJ Tax Clearance Certificate listing CSIT. All certificates listing another state agency will be rejected.
Have no more than fifty (50) full-time equivalent (“FTE”) workers (FTE calculated on a 35-hour work week) at time of application.
Have a minimum of one (1) full time worker (calculated on a 35-hour work week). A worker may be the founder and may be paid or unpaid.
Have 50% or more of the cumulative hours worked by all workers, founders, and contractors be conducted in NJ (calculated on an FTE basis – 35 hours per week).
Have less than or equal to five million dollars ($5,000,000) in prior calendar year sales revenue (excluding grant revenue).

The applicant company must obtain a signed approval letter from a participating facility

confirming that they are capable and willing to provide the services that will be supported by the voucher.

The applicant company must be developing or testing clean technologies intended to avoid emissions of, or recapture of, greenhouse gases and/or criteria pollutants, or to enable such avoidance or recapture in the following target areas:

Chemicals/Advance Materials
- Energy Distribution/Storage
- Energy Efficiency
- Energy Generation
- Green Buildings
- Transportation
- Waste Processing
- Water and Agriculture.

To participate a facility must:

be in a two or four-year college or university (public, state, or non-profit) located in New Jersey, or a federal lab facility or a makerspace located in New Jersey.
allow outside businesses to utilize research and development facilities on fee-for- service basis; and
provide a contact person to facilitate requests and participate in Clean Tech R&D Voucher Committee meetings.

All applicant projects must be for a minimum technology development level of TRL 1 (Basic research) through a maximum developmental level of TRL 7 (Full- scale, similar (prototypical) system demonstrated in relevant environment). Please see below Attachment A for an explanation of these US Department of Energy definitions.

Eligible Uses

Eligible applicants can receive vouchers of $1,000 up to $40,000 to defray one hundred percent of the costs associated with any of the following services or activities in a participating New Jersey university or federal laboratory facility:

Use of facility equipment and technicians for testing and development.
Training in preparation for independent use of the facility equipment.

The vouchers are intended for specific, early-stage clean tech/clean energy-related development projects. All requests should be specifically related to the particular project for which the voucher is sought. The following uses are ineligible under this Program:

Manufacturing of products for sale or commercial use.
Real estate rental expenses.

Grant Amounts

Eligible applicants can receive vouchers of $1,000 up to $40,000. Each eligible applicant can apply for multiple vouchers up to a cap of $40,000 in the aggregate over any 12-month period.

Voucher award funds will be disbursed by CSIT to the eligible applicant after the completion of the scope of work at the corresponding facility, submission of an approved project completion report, and an expense invoice detailing the costs expended and services provided.

Application Submission and Review Process

The application will open at 9:00 am on Friday, November 17, 2023, at www.njeda.com/csit. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis as long as Program funds are available. All applications to the Clean Tech Research and Development (R&D) Voucher Program Pilot, Round 3 must include the following documentation:

Completed online application via CSIT Portal including the following documents included in the application:
- Signed Application Certification;
- Completed CSIT Legal Debarment Questionnaire; and
- Employee Log – listing all current company employees, work address, and number of hours work.
Summary of the most recent internal applicant company payroll (detailing information on each employee of the company, number of hours worked per week and primary work location).
Current employee information as appropriate for the applicant company’s structure and staffing (i.e., most recent Federal 941, NJ WR-30 (W2 employees) or 1099 (contractors), Shareholder Agreement or K-1).
Current New Jersey Tax Clearance Certificate listing New Jersey Commission on Science, Innovation and Technology. (See https://www16.state.nj.us/NJ_PREMIER_EBIZ/jsp/home.jsp.) All certificates that do not specifically list CSIT or lists another State agency will be rejected.
Approval letter from a participating New Jersey university or federal laboratory facility.

The following steps detail the application submission process:

All companies wishing to apply must begin their application by completing the intake portion of the application. This includes questions concerning the applicant; the proposed scope of work; the type of facilities for which access is being requested; and if known, the university/college, federal lab or non-profit organization at which such facilities are located; and Program eligibility information. CSIT will review the intake information and forward the project technical requirements to the Program’s University and Federal Laboratory Review Committee.
The University and Federal Laboratory Review Committee, consisting of representatives from each participating university, community college and federal laboratory facility, will
review the intake forms of each applicant on a rolling basis and direct the application to the relevant facility which the applicant intends to work with or to the most suitable facility to conduct the work.
Facility staff will contact each applicant to submit a detailed project proposal describing the intended scope of work. The applicant and the participating facility will review the scope of work and, if the participating facility agrees to the work, the applicant will complete the facility’s application process and sign any relevant forms. The facility will then issue an approval letter to
- CSIT detailing the services to be provided and the cost before application of a voucher.
CSIT will provide the applicant a submission code to finalize their application with all required documentation. The application must be completed within six (6) weeks of the receipt of the submission code from CSIT. If the application is not completed the approval will be cancelled and the funds reserved for that applicant returned to the Program budget.
All submitted applications will be reviewed for document completeness and compliance on a rolling basis. Following the completeness review, applicants with missing documentation will receive a resubmission letter from CSIT to supply any missing or incomplete documentation within ten (10) business days. For NJ Tax Clearance Certificates only, applicants will have up to thirty (30) days to submit it.

PLEASE NOTE: The online application will enable applicants to provide an electronic “Application Certification” by uploading a signed PDF. However, if an applicant prefers not to provide an electronic Application Certification, the applicant may:

Mail a hard copy of the signed Application Certification postmarked to CSIT at: Commission on Science, Innovation and Technology Attn: Judith Sheft (Executive Director)

36 W State Street PO Box 990

Trenton, NJ 08625

AND

2. Email CSIT (csitcleantech@njeda.gov) with the subject line: “MAILED Application Certification Clean Tech Research and Development (R&D) Voucher Program Pilot, Round 3 ” indicating that the certification document has been mailed. Only the signed CSIT Application Certification maybe mailed. The rest of the application must be submitted through the online system.

If an applicant chooses to mail a hard copy of the application certification, the application will only be considered complete once the original signed CSIT application certification is received by CSIT.

Applicants that do not submit, on or before the submission deadline, a New Jersey Tax Clearance Certificate listing CSIT will not be considered for a Program voucher.

Fees

No fees will be collected by CSIT for this Program.

Additional Requirements and Information

As part of the review process, CSIT conducts sister agency checks with the New Jersey Department of Labor (DOL) and Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) on all completed applications. To be recommended for an award, applicants must be in good standing with both DOL and DEP.

At the end of the voucher period, the recipient will submit to CSIT:

A completion report detailing how the scope of work was achieved during the voucher period;
Expense invoice detailing the costs expended and services provided;
Completed employee log – listing all current company employees, work address, and number of hours work.
Economic impact report – Yearly report that tracks increase in company size, R&D space, workforce, and follow-on funding.
Employee verification documents – documents that confirms the employment status of employees listed by the applicant (i.e., W2, 1099, offer letter, etc.)
Updated NJ Tax Clearance Certificate; and
Program invoice details – the itemized list of budgetary activities undertaken for the pilot project

For up to two (2) years from the date of the project completion, the voucher recipient’s employees and consultants who continue working on the project must conduct all their work in a New Jersey location.

All voucher recipients must annually report economic impact data to CSIT upon the completion of their project for a period of two (2) years by submitting an Economic Impact Questionnaire provided by CSIT.

All voucher awardees are asked to commit to participate in future CSIT/NJEDA/BPU alumni activities, such as serving as a panel member or participating in interviews about their Program experience.

Once an application has been reviewed and approved, the voucher funds are reserved for twelve

(12) months from the date of the voucher reservation approval letter. During this period, the applicant and CSIT must execute a Voucher Agreement detailing the terms and conditions of the voucher and complete the voucher use at the respective facility. At CSIT’s sole discretion, a voucher reservation may be extended for one three-month period if requested by the voucher recipient in writing prior to expiration of the voucher.

Confidentiality

Applications received will be reviewed only by staff of CSIT, NJEDA and participating university facilities. All applications submitted will be subject to requests for disclosure, including but not limited to, requests pursuant to the Open Public Records Act (“OPRA”)

N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1 et seq. If the applicant believes that information contained in its proposal merits confidential treatment pursuant to OPRA, any such purportedly confidential information submitted to the Authority must be specifically identified and marked as “confidential” by the applicant.

Additional Information

Comprehensive information about the Clean Tech R&D Voucher Program Pilot Round 3 is available at https://www.njeda.gov/csit

Questions concerning this Program and Notice of Funding Availability should be submitted csitcleantech@njeda.gov .

Click here for full PDF

Attachment A: Technology Readiness Level1 (TRL)

TRL 1

Basic Research: Initial scientific research has been conducted. Principles are qualitatively postulated and observed. Focus is on new discovery rather than applications

TRL 2

Applied Research: Initial practical applications are identified. Potential of material or process to solve a problem, satisfy a need, or find application is confirmed

TRL 3

Critical Function or Proof of Concept Established: Applied research advances and early- stage development begins. Studies and laboratory measurements validate analytical predictions of separate elements of the technology

TRL 4

Lab Testing/Validation of Alpha Prototype Component/Process: Design, development and lab testing of components/processes. Results provide evidence that performance targets may be attainable based on projected or modeled systems

TRL 5

Laboratory Testing of Integrated/Semi-Integrated System: System Component and/or process validation is achieved in a relevant environment

TRL 6

Prototype System Verified: System/process prototype demonstration in an operational environment (beta prototype system level)

TRL 7

Integrated Pilot System Demonstrated: System/process prototype demonstration in an operational environment (integrated pilot system level)

TRL 8

System Incorporated in Commercial Design: Actual system/process completed and qualified through test and demonstration (pre-commercial demonstration)

TRL 9

System Proven and Ready for Full Commercial Deployment: Actual system proven through successful operations in operating environment, and ready for full commercial deployment

Catalyst Research and Development (R&D) Voucher Program Pilot, Round 2

Notice of Funding Availability

The New Jersey Commission on Science, Innovation and Technology (CSIT) expects to launch an online application for the Catalyst Research and Development (R&D) Voucher Program Pilot, Round 2 at 9:00 am on Friday, November 17, 2023 at www.njeda.com/csit. Applications will be reviewed and accepted on a rolling basis as long as program funds are available. No fees will be charged for this program.

Comprehensive information about the Catalyst R&D Voucher Program Pilot Round 2 is available at https://www.njeda.gov/csit . Questions concerning this Program and Notice of Funding Availability should be submitted csitcatalyst@njeda.gov .

Purpose

This grant opportunity is issued by the New Jersey Commission on Science, Innovation and Technology (CSIT) in collaboration with the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA), which are seeking applications from qualified applicants for Catalyst Research and Development (R&D) Voucher Program Pilot, Round 2 (“Program”) to support early-stage companies in the State. The goal of the Program is to support New Jersey based early-stage company efforts to accelerate development and innovation of technologies to transform new discoveries from the research stage into commercially viable technologies, leading to industry and investor interest in the following target areas:

Advanced Manufacturing
Advanced Transportation and Logistics
Film and Digital Media
Life Sciences – Therapeutic Drug Development
Life Sciences – Other
Non-Retail Food and Beverage
Professional and Financial Services
Technology

Overview

Catalyst Research and Development (R&D) Voucher Program Pilot, Round 2 has a total budget of

$497,500 for voucher awards. Funding for the Program is provided by rollover funding from the FY23 CSIT budget appropriation. The Program will be implemented by CSIT and technical

support will be provided at participating universities/colleges, federal labs and non-profit organizations.

The objectives of the Program are to:

improve awareness, access to and utilization of New Jersey’s world-leading equipment, facilities, and makerspaces; and
subsidize access to research and development equipment, facilities and makerspaces for small New Jersey based companies that are developing innovative technologies.

Program Details

The Program will subsidize the cost of access to any New Jersey participating university/college, non- profit organization and federal lab for early-stage companies to access equipment and facilities for technological research and development. An asset map listing participating facilities will be available on the CSIT webpage (www.njeda.com/csit).

Each approved voucher will be valid for a period of 12 months (starting from date of the execution of the voucher agreement). Any unused approved voucher amounts will be cancelled after the twelve (12) month period and returned to the Program budget for future use. At CSIT’s sole discretion, a voucher reservation may be extended for one three-month period if requested in writing prior to expiration.

Provided that funding is available, all complete applications that meet the eligibility criteria and are in compliance with the required documentation are eligible for funding.

Eligibility

To be eligible for the Catalyst Research and Development (R&D) Voucher Program Pilot, Round 2, the applicant company must:

Be authorized and in good standing to conduct business in NJ as evidenced by a current NJ Tax Clearance Certificate listing CSIT. All certificates listing another state agency will be rejected.
Have no more than fifty (50) full-time equivalent (“FTE”) workers (FTE calculated on a 35- hour work week) at time of application.
Have a minimum of one (1) full time worker (calculated on a 35-hour work week). A worker may be the founder and may be paid or unpaid.
Have 50% or more of the cumulative hours worked by all workers, founders, and contractors be conducted in NJ (calculated on an FTE of 35 hours per week).
Have less than or equal to five million dollars ($5,000,000) in prior calendar year sales revenue (excluding grant revenue).

The applicant company must obtain a signed approval letter from a participating university/college, federal lab or non-profit organization confirming that the facility is

capable of and willing to provide the services that will be supported by the voucher.

The applicant company must be developing or testing technologies in the following target areas:

Advanced Manufacturing
- Advanced Transportation and Logistics
- Film and Digital Media
- Life Sciences
- Non-Retail Food and Beverage
- Professional and Financial Services
- Technology.

To participate, a facility must:

be in a two or four-year college or university (public, state, or non-profit) located in New Jersey, or a federal or non-profit organization located in New Jersey;
allow outside businesses to utilize research and development facilities on a fee-for-service basis; and
provide a contact person to facilitate requests and participate in Catalyst Voucher core research facility partner meetings.

Eligible Uses

Eligible applicants can receive vouchers to defray the costs associated with any of the following services or activities in participating facilities:

Access to core lab facilities, equipment, makerspaces and technology centers;
Use of facility equipment and technicians for testing and development; and
Training in preparation for independent use of the facility equipment or makerspaces.

The vouchers are intended for specific, early-stage development projects (Projects). All requests should be specifically related to the particular Project for which the voucher is sought. The following uses are ineligible under the Program:

manufacturing of products for sale or commercial use;
real estate rental expenses; and
patient clinical trial expenses.

Grant Amounts

Eligible applicants can receive vouchers of $1,000 up to $40,000. Each eligible applicant can apply for multiple vouchers up to a cap of $40,000 in the aggregate over any 12-month period.

Application Submission and Review Process

The application will open at 9:00 am on Friday, November 17, 2023 at www.njeda.com/csit. Applications will be reviewed and accepted on a rolling basis as long as Program funds are available. All applications to the Program must include the following documentation:

Completed online application via CSIT Portal including the following documents included in the application,
- Signed Application Certification;
- Completed CSIT Legal Debarment Questionnaire; and
- Employee Log – listing all current company employees, work address, and number of hours work.
Summary of the most recent internal applicant company payroll (detailing information on each employee of the company, number of hours worked per week and primary work location).
Current employee information as appropriate for the applicant company’s structure and staffing (i.e., most recent Federal 941, NJ WR-30 (W2 employees) or 1099 (contractors), Shareholder Agreement or K-1).
Current New Jersey tax clearance certificate listing New Jersey Commission on Science, Innovation and Technology. (See https://www16.state.nj.us/NJ_PREMIER_EBIZ/jsp/home.jsp.) All certificates that do not specifically list CSIT or lists another State agency will be rejected.
Approval letter from a participating New Jersey university or federal laboratory facility.

The following steps detail the application submission process:

All companies must begin their application by completing the intake portion of the application. This includes questions concerning the applicant; the proposed scope of work; the type of facilities for which access is being requested; and if known, the university/college, federal lab or non-profit organization at which such facilities are located; and program eligibility information. CSIT will review the intake information and forward the project technical requirements to the Program’s University and Federal Laboratory Review Committee.
The University and Federal Laboratory Review Committee, consisting of representatives from each participating university, community college and federal laboratory facility, will review the intake forms of each applicant on a rolling basis and direct the application to the relevant facility that the applicant intends to work with or to the most suitable facility to conduct the work.
Facility staff will contact each applicant, which must submit a detailed Project proposal describing the intended scope of work. The applicant and the participating facility will review the scope of work and, if the participating facility agrees to the work, the applicant will complete the facility’s application process and sign any relevant forms. The facility will then issue an approval letter to CSIT detailing the services to be provided and the cost before application of a voucher. Applicant must obtain a signed approval letter from a participating facility/makerspace confirming that the facility/makerspace is capable and willing to provide the services that will be supported by the voucher.
CSIT will provide the applicant with a submission code to finalize their application with all required documentation. The application must be completed within six (6) weeks of the receipt of the submission code from CSIT. If the application is not completed, the approval will be cancelled, and the funds reserved for that applicant returned to the Program budget.
All submitted applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis by CSIT for document completeness and compliance. Following the completeness review, applicants with missing documentation will receive a resubmission letter from CSIT to supply any missing or incomplete documentation within ten (10) business days. For NJ Tax Clearance Certificates only, applicants will have thirty (30) days to submit.

Mail a hard copy of the signed Application Certification to CSIT at: Commission on Science, Innovation and Technology

Attn: Judith Sheft (Executive Director) 36 W State Street

PO Box 990

Trenton, NJ 08625

AND

Email CSIT (csitcatalyst@njeda.com) with the subject line: “MAILED Application Certification Catalyst Research and Development (R&D) Voucher Program Pilot, Round 2” indicating that the certification document has been mailed. Only the signed CSIT Application Certification may be mailed. The rest of the application must be submitted through the online system.

If an applicant chooses to mail a hard copy of the Application Certification, the application will only be considered complete once the original signed CSIT Application Certification is received by CSIT.

Applicants that do not submit, on or before the submission deadline, a New Jersey Tax Clearance Certificate that lists CSIT will not be considered for a Program voucher.

Fees

No fees will be collected by CSIT for this Program.

Additional Requirements and Information

At the end of the voucher period, the recipient will submit to CSIT:

A completion report detailing how the scope of work was achieved during the voucher period; and
Expense invoice detailing the costs expended and services provided;
Completed employee log – listing all current company employees, work address, and number of hours work.
Economic impact report – yearly report that tracks increase in company size, R&D space, workforce, and follow-on funding.
Employee verification documents – documents that confirms the employment status of employees listed by the applicant (i.e., w2, 1099, offer letter, etc.)
Updated NJ Tax Clearance Certificate; and
Program invoice details – the itemized list of budgetary activities undertaken for the pilot project

For up to two years from the date of the project completion, the voucher recipient’s employees and consultants who continue working on the project must conduct all their work in a New Jersey location.

All voucher recipients must report economic impact data to CSIT for a period of two years from the completion of the project by submitting an Economic Impact Questionnaire provided by CSIT.

All voucher awardees must commit to participate in future CSIT/NJEDA alumni activities, such as serving as a panel member or participating in interviews about their Program experience.

Once an application has been reviewed and approved, the voucher funds are reserved for twelve (12) months from the date of the voucher reservation approval letter. During this period, the applicant and CSIT must execute a Voucher Agreement detailing the terms and conditions of the voucher, and use the voucher at the respective facility. At CSIT’s sole discretion, a voucher reservation may be extended for one three-month period if requested by the voucher recipient in writing prior to expiration of the voucher.

Confidentiality

Applications received will be reviewed only by staff of CSIT, NJEDA and participating universities/colleges, federal labs and non-profit organizations. However, all applications submitted will be subject to requests for disclosure, including but not limited to, requests pursuant to the Open Public Records Act (“OPRA”) N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1 et seq. If the applicant believes that information contained in its proposal merits confidential treatment pursuant to OPRA, any such purportedly confidential information submitted to the Authority must be specifically identified and marked as “confidential” by the applicant.

Additional Information

Comprehensive information about the Catalyst R&D Voucher Program Pilot Round 2 is available at https://www.njeda.gov/csit .

Questions concerning this Program and Notice of Funding Availability should be submitted csitcatalyst@njeda.gov .

Click here for full PDF

Round 5 SBIR/STTR Direct Financial Assistance

Notice of Funding Availability

The New Jersey Commission on Science, Innovation and Technology (CSIT) will launch an online application for the Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer (SBIR/STTR) Direct Financial Assistance Grant (“Grant Program”) at 9:00am EST on November 17, 2023, at https://www.njeda.gov/csit.

Comprehensive information about the Round 5 SBIR/STTR Direct Financial Assistance Grant is available at https://www.njeda.gov/csit. Questions concerning this Program and Notice of Funding Availability should be submitted csitsbir@njeda.gov.

1. Direct Funding for twenty (20) SBIR/STTR Phase I, Fast Track or Direct to Phase II award/contract winners (“Direct Funding Grant”). Each Direct Funding Grant is for $25,000.
2. Bridge Funding for ten (10) SBIR/STTR Phase II applicants (“Bridge Funding Grant”). Each Bridge Funding Grant is for $50,000

This Grant Program is for businesses that are participating in or applying for the SBIR and STTR Federal programs. The Grant Program has a total budget of $875,500 and will offer two types of grants:

1. Direct Funding for twenty (20) SBIR/STTR Phase I, Fast Track or Direct to Phase II award/contract winners (“Direct Funding Grant”). Each Direct Funding Grant is for $25,000.

2. Bridge Funding for ten (10) SBIR/STTR Phase II applicants (“Bridge Funding Grant”). Each Bridge Funding Grant is for $50,000.

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until program funds are exhausted. If applicants meet all eligibility criteria and funding is available, an award will be made. No fees will be charged to apply for this program.

Applicants can only apply for one grant component (either the Direct Funding Grant or the Bridge Funding Grant). CSIT may reallocate funds between the two types of grants.

Purpose

CSIT has established this SBIR/STTR support program in New Jersey to enhance the State’s innovative economy by providing technical and financial support to small businesses participating in, or seeking to participate in, the Federal SBIR/STTR programs. SBIR/STTR

are highly competitive three-phase award programs which provide qualified small businesses with opportunities to propose innovative ideas that meet the specific research and development needs of the Federal government. The goals of the programs are to:

Stimulate technological innovation;
- Meet Federal research and development needs;
- Foster and encourage participation in innovation and entrepreneurship by women and socially or economically disadvantaged populations; and
Increase private-sector commercialization of innovations derived from Federal research and development funding.

Program Overview and Eligible Uses

The Grant Program has three objectives; all of which help grow the innovation economy in NJ:

Increase the success rate of NJ grant applications seeking Federal funding for SBIR/STTR programs
Reduce the financial burden for small NJ companies that have won Phase 1, a SBIR/STTR Fast Track or a Direct to Phase II award of the Federal SBIR/STTR program
Increase success and maximize growth of small NJ companies in moving from Phase I to Phase II of the SBIR/STTR Federal program

This SBIR/STTR Direct Financial Assistance Grant Program funding can be used to maintain project activities, support research and development, and cover general operating costs.

Grants will be awarded on a rolling basis as long as Grant Program funds are available.

Direct Funding Grant for SBIR/STTR Phase I, Fast Track, or Direct to Phase II Federal Applicants:

Phase I of the Federal SBIR/STTR program is intended to establish technical merit, feasibility, and commercial potential of the proposed R&D efforts. Federal Phase I awards normally do not exceed $150,000 total costs for six (6) months. CSIT will provide a Direct Funding Grant of

$25,000 to eligible NJ small businesses that have received a Phase I, Fast Track or Direct to Phase II Federal award/contract. The CSIT Direct Funding Grant can help to increase the intensity of their research, strengthen commercialization plans, reduce the financial burden on these growing small businesses by covering operational expenses and become more competitive for the Federal Phase II funding.

Bridge Funding Grant for Phase II Federal Applicants:

The gap between application and award notice for Phase II of the Federal SBIR/STTR program can be up to six (6) months, and it is during this period that small businesses often struggle to secure funding and maintain operations. CSIT will offer grants of $50,000 to NJ small businesses that have successfully completed Phase I of Federal SBIR/STTR program and have submitted a

Phase II SBIR/STTR application but have not yet received a Federal response onto their Phase II application. The funding is intended to enable NJ small businesses to maintain operations while waiting on Phase II awards.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for this Grant Program, the applicant must meet the following eligibility criteria, as specified per grant, at the time of submission and throughout the application review period. Applicants must send a notification to csitsbir@njeda.gov if there are any changes to their eligibility status after submission of an application and prior to any award notification.

Eligibility requirements must also be maintained during the 12-month term of the grant agreement.

Direct Funding Grant – Eligibility Criteria (for Phase I, Fast Track or Direct to Phase II )

Applicants for this type of grant must:

Be a recipient of a federal SBIR/STTR Phase I, Fast Track or Direct to Phase II grant or contract award no earlier than two (2) years prior to the issuance of this Notice of Funding Availability (November 9, 2023).
Be authorized and in good standing to conduct business in NJ, as evidenced by a current NJ Tax Clearance Certificate listing CSIT. All certificates listing another State agency will be rejected.
Be in good standing with both the New Jersey Department of Labor (DOL) and Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). As part of the review process, CSIT conducts sister agency checks with the DOL and DEP on all completed applications.
Have a minimum of one (1) full time worker (calculated on a 35-hour work week). A worker may be the founder, and may be paid or unpaid.
Show that 50% or more of the cumulative hours worked by all workers, founders, and contractors is conducted in NJ (calculated on an FTE (Full Time Equivalent) basis – 35 hrs. per week).
Show that the primary place of performance on the Federal SBIR/STTR grant or contract award is a NJ address.
Not have been awarded more than five (5) Federal SBIR/STTR grants or contracts (Phase I, Fast-track, Direct to Phase II combined) throughout the lifetime of the company.

Bridge Funding Grant – Eligibility Criteria (for Phase II Applicants):

Applicants for this type of grant must:

Be a previous federal SBIR/STTR Phase I grant or contract award recipient no earlier than two (2) years of the issuance of this Notice of Funding Availability (November 9, 2023) that has successfully completed a Phase I Federal SBIR/STTR program; applicant must have submitted a Phase II SBIR/STTR application but not yet received a Federal response to it.
Be authorized and in good standing to conduct business in NJ, as evidenced by a current NJ Tax Clearance Certificate listing CSIT. All certificates listing another State agency will be rejected.
Have a minimum of one (1) full time worker (calculated on a 35-hour work week). A worker may be the founder and may be paid or unpaid.

Show that 50% or more of the cumulative hours worked by all workers, founders, and contractors is conducted in NJ (calculated on an FTE (Full Time Equivalent) basis – 35 hrs. per week).
Show that the primary place of performance on the Federal Phase II SBIR/STTR project submission is located in New Jersey.
Be in good standing with both the New Jersey Department of Labor (DOL) and Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). As part of the review process, CSIT conducts sister agency checks with the DOL and DEP on all completed applications.
Not have been awarded more than five (5) Federal SBIR/STTR grants or contracts (Phase I, Fast-track or Direct to Phase II combined) and four (4) Federal Phase II SBIR/STTR grants or contracts throughout the lifetime of the company.

Grant Award Amounts and Term

Eligible applicants can receive grant awards of $25,000 for the Direct Funding Grant and

$50,000 for Bridge Funding Grant. Grants will be awarded on a rolling basis as long as Grant Program funds are available. Grant recipients must execute a grant agreement that will have a term of 12 months (starting from date of the signed agreement).

Required Documents

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis and awards will be made until funds are expended.

In addition to the online application form, Direct Funding Grant applications for Phase I, Fast Track and Direct to Phase II winners must include the following documentation:

Copy of Federal Phase I, Fast Track or Direct to Phase II Award Letter/Contract from a participating Federal agency dated within the past two (2) years of the issuance of this Notice of Funding Availability.

Copy of the accepted Phase I, Fast Track or Direct to Phase II proposal submitted to participating Federal agency in response to a specific Federal solicitation.
Employee information as appropriate for applicable company structure and staffing (i.e., most recent New Jersey WR-30 (W2 employees) or 1099 (contractors)), Shareholder Agreement or K-1, or offer letters. Please note that if a Professional Employment Organization (PEO) is utilized, the applicant must submit confirmation of PEO-A form issued by the New Jersey Department of Labor. These confirmations are issued on an annual basis and are valid for a year. See https://www.nj.gov/labor/ea/employer- services/leasing-companies/ for additional information on PEOs.
Summary of most recent internal payroll indicating each employee name and number of hours worked per week.
Current New Jersey Tax Clearance Certificate (listing New Jersey Commission on Science, Innovation and Technology). See

https://www16.state.nj.us/NJ_PREMIER_EBIZ/jsp/home.jsp. All certificates listing another state agency will be rejected.

Completed Application Certifications.
Completed CSIT Legal Debarment Questionnaire.

In addition to the online application form, Bridge Funding for Phase II applications must include the following documentation:

Copy of Federal Phase I SBIR/STTR Award/Contract from a participating Federal Agency dated within the past two (2) years of the issuance of this Notice of Funding Availability.

Copy of the Phase I final report and confirmation of Agency acceptance.
Proof of Federal Phase II SBIR/STTR application submission and receipt by the participating Federal agency. Example:
- A copy of the Phase II SBIR/STTR proposal submitted to sponsoring Agency; and
- Written or electronic notification from the Agency confirming date of proposal receipt.
Employee information as appropriate for applicable company structure and staffing (i.e., most recent New Jersey WR-30 (W2 employees) or 1099 (contractors), Shareholder Agreement or K-1, or offer letters. Please note that if a Professional Employment Organization (PEO) is utilized, the applicant must submit confirmation of PEO-A form issued by the New Jersey Department of Labor. These confirmations are issued on an annual basis and are valid for a year. See https://www.nj.gov/labor/ea/employer- services/leasing-companies/ for additional information on PEOs.
Summary of most recent internal payroll (Q22023 or Q32023) indicating each employee name and number of hours worked per week.
Current New Jersey Tax Clearance Certificate (listing New Jersey Commission on Science, Innovation and Technology). See https://www16.state.nj.us/NJ_PREMIER_EBIZ/jsp/home.jsp. All certificates listing another state agency will be rejected.
Completed Application Certifications.
Completed CSIT Legal Debarment Questionnaire.

Application Process and Approval

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis.
A completeness review will be done as applications are received.
Following the completeness review, applicants with missing documentation will receive a resubmission letter from CSIT to supply any missing or incomplete documentation within ten (10) business days. Applicants will be given thirty (30) business days from the issuance of the resubmission letter to submit a valid tax clearance certificate.
Only complete applications will be considered for funding. Applications that remain incomplete after the resubmission deadline will not receive grant funding.
Grants will be awarded to eligible applicants on a first come, first served basis, subject to funding availability.

Fees

No application fees will be collected by CSIT for this Grant Program.

Additional Requirements and Information

Grant awardees must certify that its employees, founders and contractors will conduct at least 50% of the company’s work (calculated on a full-time equivalent basis) in New Jersey for a period of two (2) years from the effective date of the grant agreement. Failure to comply will trigger a requirement that the applicant make full re-payment of the grant award, as will be included as a term in the Grant Agreement.

All grant awardees must report economic impact data to CSIT for a period of two years from the completion of the project by submitting an Economic Impact Questionnaire provided by CSIT.

All grant awardees are asked to commit to participate in future CSIT/NJEDA alumni activities, such as serving as a panel member or participating in interviews about program experience.

Confidentiality

Applications received will be reviewed only by staff of CSIT, NJEDA, and participating universities/colleges, federal labs, and non-profit organizations. All applications submitted will be subject to requests for disclosure, including but not limited to requests pursuant to the Open Public Records Act (“OPRA”), N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1 et seq. If the applicant believes that information contained in its proposal merits confidential treatment pursuant to OPRA, then any such purportedly confidential information submitted must be specifically identified and marked by the applicant as such.

Additional Information

Information about the Round 5 SBIR/STTR Direct Financial Assistance Grant is available at https://www.njeda.gov/csit.

Questions concerning this Program and Notice of Funding Availability should be submitted csitsbir@njeda.gov.

Click here for full PDF

Notice of Funding Availability

The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (“NJEDA” or “Authority”) will begin accepting applications for the New Jersey Asset Activation Planning Grant Program at 10:00 a.m. EST August 15, 2023. The application can be accessed at: https://www.njeda.com/asset-activation-planning-grant. Applications will be accepted on a first come, first served basis during a 90-day period ending on November 13, 2023, or until grant funding is exhausted. The Program has been allocated an additional $500,000 in funding for a new round of grant awards, which may be up to $50,000 for individual qualifying applications.
Further detailed information is available in the Asset Activation Planning Grant Program specifications.

Purpose

In an effort to revitalize underutilized or distressed assets in New Jersey, the NJEDA has created the Asset Activation Planning Grant Program. This program will provide grants for pre-development planning work to demonstrate viability and prepare implementation of projects that will activate public assets and contribute to the revitalization of local communities and the regional economy.

Overview

Shifting economic and development context in New Jersey has left an array of underutilized properties and infrastructure throughout the state in urban, suburban, and rural communities alike. Former assets which are now liabilities require innovative development to activate their potential and contribute to the State’s economy.

On March 9, 2022, the NJEDA Board approved the creation of the pilot New Jersey Asset Activation Planning Grant Program, and provided $400,000 of Economic Recovery Fund resources, to establish the pilot New Jersey Asset Activation Planning Grant Program to fund projects up to $50,000 to plan for activation of underutilized or unutilized public properties.

This program invests in communities and makes government work better – two major economic development priorities adopted by the NJEDA Board and laid out in Governor Murphy’s Economic Plan. The NJEDA began accepting applications for the Asset Activation Grant in July 2022, and subsequently awarded grants to ten planning projects throughout the State. On April 12, 2023, the NJEDA Board approved additional funding of $500,000 for a new round of grants.

Eligibility

Qualified applicants for the New Jersey Asset Activation Planning Grant include municipalities, counties, redevelopment agencies, independent authorities, non-profit entities, and private for-profit entities that meet additional criteria and hold a valid New Jersey tax clearance certificate.

Applicants may add strategic partners whose experience, knowledge, skills, and ability may augment the capabilities of the proposed planning project team.

Applications must include a letter of approval from the executive of the public entities that hold ownership of the subject property or have the development oversight and authority to close the property. Assets owned by the State of New Jersey are not eligible. Assets owned by independent authorities, commissions, boards, or other entities of the State of New Jersey are eligible when accompanied by a letter of approval from the body’s executive with development oversight and authority, as discussed above.

An award of grant funding does not imply approval of planning, analysis, use, sale, or divestment of any assets or property.

Eligible Uses

Planning projects may include, but are not limited to:

Conceptual Design
Feasibility Study
Land-use Planning
Economic Analysis
Market Analysis
Legal Analysis

Grant Amounts

The maximum grant amount is $50,000.

Application Submission and Review Process (including Scoring)
Applications for the New Jersey Asset Activation Planning Grant Program will be accepted during a 90-day window or until grant funding is exhausted. To apply, an applicant must register, or log into the online application portal, complete all required application questions fully, and upload all required PDF document attachments. NJEDA staff will review applications in the order they are received for completeness and may ask for any necessary rectifications to the application, including but not limited to responses, documentation, and attachments. The applicant will have 5 business days to respond to cure any deficiencies. If at the end of the cure period, the applicant is non-responsive, the application will not be advancing to be scored and will be deemed withdrawn.

Each application must contain the following documents:

A. Required Application Information:

A fully completed online application
New Jersey Tax Clearance Certificate
Religious Activities questionnaire (if applicable)
Signed Letter of Approval from the chief executive of the entity holding ownership of the subject property or asset must be digitally attached with the application
Completed Legal Questionnaire
Application Fee or fee waiver request

B. Required Proposal Components of Application

Public Asset Description
Planning Project Details, including:
- Planning Activities
- Project Milestones
- Roles
- Public Engagement
- Grant need and budget
Asset Activation Merits, including:
- Asset challenges and considerations
- Regional market constraints and considerations
- Future uses, development, or activities at the site
- Connection to the State’s economic and development objectives
Background & Experience
Strategic Partners Memorandum of Understanding or written agreement (if applicable)

Note: Applications must include plans for specific deliverables that can be fully completed (with copies provided to EDA) by six months after execution of the grant agreement. Upon written request for an extension (up to two months) of the plan’s final delivery, the NJEDA has the sole discretion to authorize the extension.

Applications deemed complete will be reviewed and scored by a committee of NJEDA staff on a scale of 0 – 100. As further detailed in the Asset Activation Planning Grant Program specifications, applications will be evaluated and scored based on the following scoring criteria:

Their “Asset Impact,” which demonstrates the magnitude of improved utilization a project will have on a public asset, the local community, and regional economy. (0 – 40 points)
The project’s purpose and merits, which address locality-specific needs and challenges that have precluded prior development of the asset, and a plan for long term viability of a project. (0 – 20 points)
The demonstration of the applicant’s previous experience with similar planning projects. (0 – 20 points)
Community Engagement aspects of the proposed planning work. (0 – 10 points)
Municipal Revitalization Index Score, which ranks New Jersey’s municipalities according to eight separate indicators that measure diverse aspects of social, economic, physical, and fiscal conditions in each locality. (0 – 10 points)

Applications that meet a minimum score of 65 will be recommended to the NJEDA Board for grant funding in the order in which applications were submitted.

Disbursements
Grant funds will only be disbursed to the lead role entity, who will also be responsible for:

(1) assuring that any strategic partners and/or subcontractors are in compliance with all terms and conditions of the grant agreement; and

(2) any payments due to any municipal, county, or strategic partners.

Fees

A $1000 fee is required at the time of application submission.

Additional Information

Comprehensive information about the Asset Activation Grant Program is available at https://www.njeda.com/asset-activation-planning-grant

Questions concerning this Program and Notice of Funding Availability should be submitted NJAAP@njeda.gov.

The NJEDA is subject to State and Federal statutes including but not limited to the following which may impact affiliates: N.J.S.A. 52:32-60.1, et seq., which prevents the New Jersey government entities from certain dealings with businesses on the Treasury list of those engaged in prohibited activities in Belarus or Russia; N.J.S.A. 24:6I-49 which provides that the following are not eligible for most State or local economic incentives (a) a person or entity issued a license to operate as a cannabis cultivator, manufacturer, wholesaler, distributor, retailer, or delivery service, or that employs a certified personal use cannabis handler to perform work for or on behalf of a cannabis establishment, distributor, or delivery service; and (b) a property owner, developer, or operator of a project to be used, in whole or in part, by or to benefit a cannabis cultivator, manufacturer, wholesaler, distributor, retailer, or delivery service, or to employ a certified personal use cannabis handler to perform work for or on behalf of a cannabis establishment, distributor, or delivery service; and N.J.S.A. 52:13D-12, et seq., which prohibits a member of the Legislature or a State officer or employee or their partners or a corporation in which they owns or controls more than 1% of the stock to undertake or execute any contract, agreement, sale, or purchase of $25.00 or more, made, entered into, awarded or granted by any State agency, with certain limited exceptions.

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Cannabis Equity Grant Program: Joint Ventures

Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA)

The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (“NJEDA” or “Authority”) will begin accepting applications for the Cannabis Equity Grant Program-Joint Ventures product at 9:00 a.m. EST on April 20, 2023.The application can be accessed at https://www.njeda.gov/cannabis. Applications will be accepted on a first come, first reviewed basis during a 180-day period starting on April 20, 2023, or until grant funding is exhausted. $6,000,000 has been allocated for the Cannabis Equity Grant Program – Joint Ventures product. Grant awards of $250,000 will be made to support cannabis entrepreneurship in New Jersey.

Purpose

The Cannabis Equity Grant Program-Joint Ventures Grant (“Joint Ventures Grant”) product has an award pool of $6,000,000 and will provide grant awards of $250,000 to eligible entities for start-up expenses and operational costs related directly to cannabis businesses that qualify under the grant’s eligibility criteria.

Overview

On July 19, 2019, the New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission (“NJ CRC”) was formed to establish and grow a responsible, regulated medicinal cannabis industry. On February 22, 2021, Governor Phil Murphy signed the “New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory, Enforcement, Assistance, and Marketplace Modernization Act” (“CREAMM Act”), which legalizes personal use cannabis for certain adults, subject to regulation by the Cannabis Regulatory Commission and removes marijuana as a State Schedule I drug, into law as P.L. 2021, c. 16. In June 2022, the Governor signed legislation to allow the Authority to award financial incentives for the purpose of providing financial and technical assistance to a prospective or licensed cannabis business that qualifies as a small business under the statute. See P.L. 2022, c. 48. The legislation requires either that (1) a portion of program funds made available be reserved for businesses operating within an Impact Zone, as defined in the CREAMM Act or (2) the program include funds from the Social Equity Excise Fee and such funding be limited to businesses operating within an Impact Zone. As none of the current program funding is from the Social Equity Excise Fee, staff proposes to ensure that a minimum of 5% of all available funds will be reserved for grantees whose project location is in an Impact Zone.

In June 2021, the Governor signed into law P.L. 2021, c.115, which provided a $25 million supplemental SFY2021 appropriation to the Authority to establish the Startup Business and Nonprofit Assistance Program (“Chapter 115”). Chapter 115 authorized the Authority to provide grants to support the creation and development of new businesses and nonprofit organizations following the COVID-19 pandemic. The legislation requires the Authority to: (1) establish eligibility criteria for the program, provided that grants shall be made available to eligible new businesses and nonprofit organizations located in all areas of the State; (2) provide for rolling application periods and appropriate application submission deadlines; (3) designate limitations on the maximum award of grants, which limitations shall be sufficiently high so as to meaningfully support the creation and development of new businesses and nonprofit organizations; (4) designate permitted uses of grant financing, which uses shall be reasonably flexible to accommodate unanticipated startup expenses; and (5) establish criteria for the approval of program applicants consistent with Chapter 115. Additionally, Chapter 115 requires the Authority to “prioritize new businesses and nonprofit organizations that physically occupy commercial properties, including retail storefronts, that have become vacant or under-utilized during the COVID-19 pandemic.”

The Joint Ventures Grant product targets businesses that are farther along in the licensing process and have carrying costs and capital issues associated with opening their cannabis business. These applicants must have secured site control over their property and municipal approvals to operate and open a physical location within a New Jersey municipality. An award pool of $6,000,000 will be distributed to all applicants that meet or exceed the grant eligibility requirements until funds are exhausted. Grantees will be required to prove they have a conditional or annual license, have obtained site control over their real estate, and have obtained all municipal approvals to open a cannabis business in their New Jersey municipality. 40% of slots will be reserved for social equity applicants. Grantees will be eligible for a grant award of $250,000. The grant will be disbursed incrementally based on the grantee’s ability to meet certain milestones. In total, two disbursements will be available to the grantee.

An initial disbursement of $100,000 will be distributed upon grant approval and:
- Verification that the grant awardee has a NJ CRC issued conditional or annual license.
- Demonstrates site control over the property they will use to start their cannabis business.
- Obtained municipal approvals to operate and open a physical location within a New Jersey municipality; and
- Provide receipts proving the entity has spent $100,000 on eligible expenses or a spending plan or budget showing projected spending of at least $100,000 in eligible expenses.
The final disbursement of $150,000 will be made upon the grantee obtaining a NJ CRC issued annual license. Grantees must provide evidence that they have spent the previous disbursement on eligible expenses in order to be eligible for the final disbursement.

Eligibility

Grant eligibility is limited to entities who can demonstrate following:

Entity holds a NJ CRC conditional or annual license, in any class, for recreational use. Alternative Treatment Centers certified to operate in adult personal-use market are not eligible for this grant.
In accordance with Chapter 115, the entity has 50 or fewer full time employees at the time of application, as evidenced through a payroll documentation WR30 or other valid documentation.
- “Full-time employee” means a person:
  - Who is employed by a business for consideration for at least 35 hours a week and whose wages are subject to withholding as provided in the New Jersey Gross Income Tax Act, N.J.S.A. 54A:1-1 et seq.; or
  - Who is employed by a professional employer organization pursuant to an employee leasing agreement between the business and the professional employer organization for at least 35 hours a week and whose wages are subject to withholding as provided in the New Jersey Gross Income Tax Act, N.J.S.A. 54A:1-1 et seq.; or
  - Who is a partner of a business who works for the partnership for at least 35 hours a week and whose distributive share of income, gain, loss, or deduction, or whose guaranteed payments, or any combination thereof, is subject to the payment of estimated taxes, as provided in the New Jersey Gross Income Tax Act, N.J.S.A. 54A:1-1 et seq.; or
  - Who is a resident of another state and would be eligible under subsections a, b, or c above, but whose income is not subject to the New Jersey Gross Income Tax Act, N.J.S.A. 54A:1-1 et seq., due to a reciprocity agreement with the other state.
- “Full-time employee” shall not include any person who works for the business as an independent contractor or on a consulting basis.
Entity is in good standing with the NJ CRC, Division of Taxation as evidenced by a valid tax clearance certificate, the Department of Environmental Protection, and the Department of Labor and Workforce Development, at the time of application.
In accordance with Chapter 115, entity has documents of incorporation (or other formation documents) showing the entity commenced operations after the issuance of Executive Order No. 103 of 2020 (March 9, 2020).
Owner or owners of 51% or more of the entity have established:
- One non-home-based retail, personal services, or manufacturing businesses in any US state or territory; or
- Has two (2) or more years of experience as an owner, manager, executive or supervisor of a retail, agricultural, personal services, or manufacturing business.
Owner or owners of 51% or more of the entity have enrolled and completed one of the following:
- A professional cannabis education course (course or courses in cannabis business, cannabis law, cannabis operations, cannabis plant science/plant cultivation or economics of cannabis) offered by an accredited higher education institution, state or local government, or private provider with at least two years operations and a minimum of 200 program graduates verifiable by the institution, enrolled and completed a small business entrepreneurship training course; or
- Completed six college credits in business, management, finance, economics, accounting, agricultural sciences, logistics/supply chain management or marketing: or
- Has three (3) or more years of as an owner, manager, executive or supervisor of a retail, agricultural, personal services such as intellectual or technical or manual services that require advanced knowledge, skills and/or training to deliver a service to an individual or business, or manufacturing business.
Entity has secured municipal approval. Municipal approval is defined as the following:
- Resolution adopted by the municipality’s governing body or, where a municipality has no governing body, a written letter of support from the municipality’s executive; and
- All land use/planning/zoning approvals required from the municipality.
Entity has secured site control, proven by documentation showing control by the applying entity of real property in a New Jersey municipality to be used for the operation of a licensed New Jersey recreational cannabis facility as listed in the application.
- Documentation demonstrating site control may include but is not limited to property deeds, leases, tax records, mortgages, and executed bills of sale and Binding Letters of Intent (“BLOI”) . BLOIs may be submitted as proof of site control with the entity’s approval for an NJ CRC annual recreational license. Only annual licensees are eligible to present BLOIs. Upon grant approval, the entity will have a time period of 30 calendar days to execute their lease to maintain their grant eligibility. Extensions will not be granted.

Eligible Uses

The grant is designed to support start-up expenses and operational costs for cannabis businesses during early-stage operation. Eligible uses may include but are not limited to:

Rental expenses – evidenced by a fully executed lease. Thirty-six lease payments may be covered after date that conditional license has been awarded.
Payroll and Independent Contractor Payments as evidenced by a payroll report, WR30, or equivalent payroll documentation and payment documentation for 1099 contractors.
Regulatory Compliance expenses such as those (1) expenses related to all professional and advisory services required to document, analyze, complete and file a New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission application and (2) expenses related to all professional and advisory services required to comply with any and all regulations, rules, controls, statutes and any other requirements related to the legal operation of a NJ cannabis licensee.
Legal expenses associated with the business
Employee training
Professional Services – including but not limited to accounting, human resources, business planning, transportation, security, marketing, website creation, lab services and any other outside services that may be needed to operate cannabis business or obtain any license or authorization to operate from the NJ CRC.
Utilities and overhead fees
Commercial mortgage payments
Business supplies
Business equipment under $2,000

Funds may not be used for:

Controlled inventory
Construction
Equipment and installation costing greater than $2,000
Purchase of land
Demolition of an existing structure
Rolling stock

All uses and documentation are subject to NJEDA review and approval. All receipts and/or invoices submitted must be dated after March 9, 2020.

Grant Amounts

The “Joint Ventures Grant” product will award grants in the amount of $250,000 per grantee. There is a limit of one grant award per EIN. 40% of the award pool is reserved for businesses that have obtained a NJ CRC social equity designation, which is defined as business that have more than 50 percent of the ownership interest of the license applicant or license holder owned by people who have lived in an Economically Disadvantaged Area of the state or who have convictions for cannabis-related offenses (expunged or not). 5% of award pool is reserved for entities with project locations in an Impact Zone.

Application Process

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis or until funds are exhausted. Applications will be evaluated on a first come-first evaluated basis. Application award decisions are based on non-discretionary criteria.

Application will include questions and required documentation related to the entity’s ownership including names, ownership share, place and length of residency, owners’ resumes, management team’s resumes, planned place of operation, site address, lot and block numbers, and other information staff may deem necessary to evaluate the application.

Required Application Information

Applicants will also be required to include, but are not limited to, the following documents:

New Jersey Certificate of Incorporation or other formation document
New Jersey Tax Clearance Certificate
NJ CRC issued recreational conditional or annual cannabis license, as specified in the eligibility criteria
New Jersey WR-30 or equivalent document filed within 180 days of application
Documentation evidencing site control
Documentation evidencing municipal approvals
Completed Legal Questionnaire to begin EDA legal reviews in accordance with Executive Order 34 (Byrne) and the Authority’s Disqualification/Debarment Regulations (N.J.A.C. 19:30-2.1, et seq.) to ensure that applicants demonstrate and maintain the highest standards of responsibility and moral integrity.

For the purposes of the Cannabis Grant Program only, EDA staff has received authority to:

decide not to disqualify, debar, or suspend applicants and affiliates convicted of marijuana- and hashish-related offenses that meet the criteria for a “social equity business” as defined in the Cannabis Regulatory Commission’s rules (specifically N.J.A.C. 17:30-6.6 and as administered by CRC, provided the applicant does not have other disqualifying convictions or judgments); and
limit the timeframe for investigation into criminal matters, to those where the date of conviction, satisfactory completion of probation or parole, or release from incarceration, whichever is later, occurred five (5) years prior to the date of application, in accordance with N.J.A.C. 17:30-7.12. This modification to the delegated authority approved by the Board on June 8, 2022, will be consistent with NJ CRC’s timeframe for disqualifying convictions (as stated in N.J.A.C. 17:30-7.12(d)).
Application fee or fee waiver request upon finalization of completeness and eligibility staff review.

Applicants will also be required to show proof of the following:

In accordance with Chapter 115, the entity must have documents of incorporation (or other formation documents) showing the entity commenced operations after the issuance of Executive Order No. 103 of 2020 (March 9, 2020).
Owner or owners of 51% or more of the entity must have:
- established at least one non-home-based retail, personal services, or manufacturing businesses in any US state or territory; or
- two (2) or more years of experience as an owner, manager, executive or supervisor of a retail, agricultural, personal services, or manufacturing business
Owner or owners of 51% or more of the entity have enrolled and completed one of the following:
- A professional cannabis education course (course or courses in cannabis business, cannabis law, cannabis operations, cannabis plant science/plant cultivation or economics of cannabis) offered by an:
  - accredited higher education institution, or
  - state or local government, or
- A private provider with at least two years of operations and a minimum of 200 program graduates verifiable by the institution, or
- Enrolled or completed a small business entrepreneurship training course, or
- Completed six college credits in business, management, finance, economics, accounting, agricultural sciences, logistics/supply chain management or marketing, OR
- Have three (3) or more years of as an owner, manager, executive or supervisor of a retail, agricultural, personal services, or manufacturing business

All applications will be reviewed for completeness in the order that they are received by the Authority. At the sole discretion of the Authority, staff may ask for clarification of the information included on the application including, but not limited to, responses, documentation, and attachments at any time prior to the grant award. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis and proceed based on their completeness.

Fees

A $1000 nonrefundable application fee is required to complete the application. Fees will not be accepted until the application has been reviewed for completeness and eligibility by program staff and senior management. Applicants who do not meet program eligibility and completeness standards will be advised it is likely that the application will be declined. Applicants will be notified they are able to submit regardless of staff advisory.

Additional Information

Comprehensive information about the Cannabis Equity Grant program is available at https://www.njeda.gov/cannabis

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New Jersey Clean Energy Loans (“NJ CELs”)

Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA)

The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (“NJEDA” or “Authority”) will begin accepting applications for the New Jersey Clean Energy Loans (“NJ CELs”) program on Wednesday, April 19, 2023 at 10:00AM EST. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis. The application can be accessed at https://www.njeda.gov/njcels/. A non-refundable application fee of $1,000 is due at time of application.

español (Spanish)

ATENCIÓN: si habla español los servicios de asistencia lingüística, gratuitos, están disponibles para usted enviando un correo electrónico a languagehelp@njeda.com.

اللغة (Arabic)

تنبيه: إذا كنت تتحدث اللغة العربية، فإن خدمات المساعدة اللغوية مجانية متاحة لك عبر إرسال بريد إلكتروني إلى
languagehelp@njeda.com.

粵語 Traditional Chinese (Cantonese Chinese)

注意：如果您說粵語，可以透過傳送電子郵件至 languagehelp@njeda.com 免費獲取語言協助服務。

普通语 Simplified Chinese (Mandarin Chinese)

注意：如果您说普通语，可以通过发送电子邮件至 languagehelp@njeda.com 免费获取语言协助服务。

ગુજરાતી (Gujarati)

ધ્યાન આપો: જો તમે ગુજરાતી બોલતા હોય તો, તમારા માટે languagehelp@njeda.com પર ઈ-મેઈલ કરવાથી ભાષા સહાય સેવાઓ મફતામાં ઉપલબ્ધ છે.

हिंदी (Hindi)

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italiano (Italian)

ATTENZIONE: se parla italiano, può usufruire gratuitamente di servizi di assistenza linguistica scrivendo all’indirizzo languagehelp@njeda.com

한국어 (Korean)

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po polsku (Polish)

UWAGA: Jeśli mówisz po polsku, możesz uzyskać pomoc tłumacza bezpłatnie wysyłając e-mail pod adres languagehelp@njeda.com.

português (Portuguese)

ATENÇÃO: se você falar português, oferecemos serviços de apoio de idioma gratuitos. Envie um e-mail para languagehelp@njeda.com.

Tagalog

ATTENTION: Kung nagsasalita ka ng Tagalog, magagamit mo ang libreng mga serbisyong tulong sa wika sa pamamagitan ng pag-email sa languagehelp@njeda.com.

Purpose

The purpose of NJ CELs is to unlock capital for small businesses and start-ups seeking financing for clean energy projects, and to catalyze the deployment of clean energy in New Jersey (“NJ”).

Overview

NJ CELs is a co-lending program that offers term loans to small businesses seeking to finance eligible clean energy projects in NJ. NJ CELs is utilizing $80 million of NJ’s allocation of funds from the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s SSBCI. The Authority will either originate companion loans directly to borrowers in parallel with one or more financial institutions, or purchase participation in loans that financial institutions extend to borrowers. In all cases, the NJEDA will only finance up to 50% of the total loan amount requested for the clean energy project.

Program Details

The NJEDA’s loans will be between $250,000 and $10 million, for projects with a total principal amount of $500,000 to $20 million.

Eligible clean energy projects for NJ CELs include, but are not limited to, those involving the development, commercialization, manufacturing of products and services, and implementation of technologies that support renewable energy generation and distributed energy resources, grid modernization, energy efficiency and zero-carbon building development, and transport system electrification.

Examples of clean energy technologies include solar power, onshore and offshore wind, electric battery storage, fuel-cell-based storage, carbon capture technologies, non-combustion waste-to- energy technologies, wave energy, water use minimization technologies, carbon-reducing materials, nuclear energy, heat pumps and geothermal, run of river hydroelectric, and other innovative recycling technologies and processes. This list also includes firms that manufacture either finished or interim advanced technologies or components.

Excluded from this list are distribution or transmission utilities, conventional landfill operations, combustion-based waste-to-energy projects, and natural gas projects.

Eligibility

In order to be eligible for NJ CELs, applicants must:

Meet the eligibility criteria for the program, as defined below, and
Score a minimum of 50 out of 100 points on the scoring criteria.

To be eligible for NJ CELs, an applicant organization must:

Have fewer than 750 full-time equivalent (“FTE”) employees¹;
Be in good standing with the NJ Department of Labor and Workforce Development and NJ Department of Environmental Protection;
Have a valid New Jersey tax clearance certificate no older than 180 days at time of approval for financing;
Be located in New Jersey;
Be seeking to finance a clean energy project (see “Program Details” above);
Use a clean energy technology that has already been demonstrated in the US or internationally²;
Be economically feasible; as demonstrated by a realistic and sustainable business model. A sustainable model will create and retain the new employees as long-term or permanent as forecasted, and the loan amount requested, together with the other debt and equity investment, cash incentives and other sources of funding, is adequate to achieve the stated purpose of the project;
Requesting a total loan minimum of $500,000 up to $20 million maximum for the project. This includes the NJEDA portion plus private financing portion;
Be requesting 50% or less of the total loan amount from NJEDA ($250,000-$10 million); and
Not be enrolled in any other SSBCI program.

Applicants must also provide a term sheet (or letter of intent, draft agreement, commitment letter, or similar document) from a financial institution that is:

On the NJEDA Premier Lender list or NJEDA’s CDFI Premier Lender list; or
A private equity fund, bank, pension fund, insurance company, hedge fund, mezzanine fund, original equipment manufacturer (OEM), developer, family office, specialty finance company, or such other entity that has originated, maintained, and serviced more than $5 million in clean energy loans over a three-year period.

NJ CELs scoring criteria includes:

Direct jobs forecast to be created, relative to dollar amount of aggregate lending;
Strength of management team and partnering entities;
Benefits to NJ overburdened communities;
Being a NJ Certified Minority-, Woman-, and/or Veteran-Owned Business;
Current number of employees at the time of application;
Aggregate principal amount of project; and
Initial ratio of private financing to NJEDA funds for the proposed project.

The full scoring criteria and available points can be viewed here: https://www.njeda.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Scoring-Criteria_3.6.2023.pdf

Loan proceeds may be used for business purposes only, including but not limited to start-up costs; working capital; acquisition of equipment, inventory, or services used in the production, manufacturing, or delivery of a business’s goods or services; or the purchase, construction, renovation, or tenant improvements of an eligible place of business that is not for passive real estate investment purposes.

Any and all construction contracts awarded in NJ that require payment of prevailing wage must provide proof of valid Construction Contractor Registration Certification. Construction may be subject to Federal and/or State environmental requirements including but not limited to the National Environmental Protection Act and New Jersey Executive Order 215 (Kean).

Notwithstanding the above, funds may not be used to:

With certain limited exceptions, acquire or hold passive investments in real estate such as when the proceeds of the loan are used to invest in real estate acquired and held primarily for sale, lease, or investment;
Repay delinquent federal or state income taxes;
Repay taxes held in trust or escrow (e.g., payroll or sales taxes);
Reimburse funds owed to any owner, including any equity investment or investment of capital for the business’s continuance;
Purchase any portion of the ownership interest of any owner of the business, except for the purchase of an interest in an employee stock ownership plan qualifying under section 401 of Internal Revenue Code, worker cooperative, or related vehicle, provided that the transaction results in the employee stock ownership plan or other employee-owned entity holding a majority interest (on a fully diluted basis) in the business; or
Support a business in an illegal activity, pyramid scheme, or any unethical business.

Loan Terms and Rates

The NJEDA will only finance up to 50% of the overall loan amount for a project. At least half of the total loan for the project must be financed by one or more financial institutions that meet the criteria listed above.

NJEDA loan terms:

Between $250,000 and $10 million (for projects with a total loan amount of $500,000-$20 million)
For terms between 1 and 25 years
Interest rate: 3% below the financial institution’s rate
Secured, but subordinate to the private lender in collateral.

Special terms: Minority-, woman-, or veteran-owned businesses, as well as businesses whose projects are located in an overburdened community, are eligible for:

Additional 1% interest rate reduction each; and
10% loan forgiveness, if the project results in at least 1 job being created per $100,000 of aggregate lending for the project at the end of the loan term or after 5 years, whichever is sooner.

Application Process:

The NJ CELs application will open at 10:00 AM Eastern on Wednesday, April 19, 2023. The application, once live, can be accessed at https://www.njeda.gov/njcels/.

Complete applications will be reviewed by the Authority on a rolling basis. NJEDA staff will verify basic eligibility criteria, including meeting the minimum SSBCI requirements, and conduct an overall evaluation using the standardized scoring criteria. NJEDA may also request the findings from the financial institution’s underwriting, including ability-to-pay (credit) analysis. Applicants who submitted incomplete applications will be provided the opportunity to submit missing information within ten business days.

Fees:

NJEDA will charge applicants the following fees:

Application fee: non-refundable $1,000 fee for applying to NJ CELs
Commitment fee: non-refundable fee of 0.875% of the loan amount paid prior to NJEDA issuing a commitment letter
Closing fee of 0.875% of the loan amount (non-refundable) paid:
- at closing in cases where NJEDA is originating a companion loan; or
- at the time NJEDA purchases participation in a loan originated by a financial institution.

Additional Information:

Additional information on NJ CELs may be found at https://www.njeda.gov/njcels/.

Questions concerning this Notice of Funding Availability should be submitted via email to njcels@njeda.com.

Click Here for Full PDF

Full-time equivalent (FTE) definition: One full-time employee with a minimum of 40 hours of work per week, or a combined number of 40 part-time and seasonal employee hours per week.

A business’s total number of employees includes the business’s full-time equivalent employees (FTEs) as well as the FTEs of its affiliates, rounded to the nearest whole number.

2. “Demonstrated” means that, at a minimum, a prototype has been verified in an operational environmental, either in the U.S. or abroad.

NJ ZIP Pilot Voucher Program for Medium- and Heavy-Duty Zero Emission Vehicles

Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA)

The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (“NJEDA” or “Authority”) will begin accepting applications from potential vehicle purchasers for the second phase of the New Jersey Zero-Emission Incentive Program (“NJ ZIP)” pilot at 10:00 AM Eastern on Tuesday, April 18, 2023.

The application will remain open until all the voucher funds are reserved, on a first come, first served basis, with set asides by location, business type, and use case. The application can be assessed at www.njeda.gov/njzip. A fee of $1,000 is due at time of application.

Please note:

This NOFA is for New Jersey businesses and institutions (“Purchaser Applicants”) to apply for voucher funding to support the purchase of zero-emission vehicles (“ZEV”) only. NJ ZIP vehicle dealers and manufacturers (“Vendor Applicants”) are not eligible and had the opportunity to apply between October 18 -November 22, 2022 for consideration as approved vendors eligible for selection by purchasers in the NJ ZIP pilot for Phase 2.

Purpose

The purpose of NJ ZIP is to help New Jersey-based companies accelerate adoption of medium- and heavy-duty ZEVs by reducing the upfront capital cost through the provision of vouchers. The adoption of ZEV will help reduce emissions statewide. Additionally, this second phase of the NJ ZIP pilot will allow NJEDA to stimulate and assess market-readiness as well as determine and foster the economic impact of ZEV adoption moving forward.

Overview

This second phase of the NJ ZIP pilot will ultimately approve and reserve voucher funding to support Purchaser Applicants who meet a set of eligibility criteria, and whose selected vehicles, approved vehicle vendors, and vehicle use case qualify. This second phase of the pilot is for commercial, industrial, or institutional organizations with vehicle operations in the state of New Jersey purchasing medium- and heavy-duty ZEVs.

Program Details

The NJ ZIP pilot is a first-come, first-serve voucher program focused on incentivizing the use of ZEVs by New Jersey businesses and institutions. The Authority’s expenditure of this funding is aligned with its core mission, to foster sustainable and equitable economic growth – in this case, in the commercial-use ZEV ecosystem and value chain within the State. In line with Governor Phil Murphy’s recent pledge to convert to 100 percent zero-emission vehicles statewide by 2035, NJ ZIP aims to expedite the adoption and use of clean-energy vehicles for business owners, reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions, and bolster the state’s clean energy economy.

Eligibility

As noted above, this NOFA is for NJ ZIP pilot Purchaser Applicants only.

To be eligible for the second phase of NJ ZIP pilot, a Purchaser Applicant must:

Be a commercial, industrial, or institutional organization registered to do business in New Jersey. As defined in the Global Warming Solutions Fund regulation (N.J.A.C. 7:27D-1.2), “institutional” means serving a non-profit or public purpose such as a library, hospital, public school, institution of higher education, municipal utility, public recreation or cultural facility, or government entity. The term “government entity” includes local and municipal government entities, but for the purposes of this pilot, State government entities are not eligible.
Provide a valid New Jersey Tax Clearance Certificate to demonstrate business registration or ability to conduct operations in New Jersey.
Be in good standing with the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development (DOL), the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), and the New Jersey Division of Taxation.
Satisfy the Authority’s debarment/disqualification review, not be in default under any Authority program, and not have any outstanding obligations to the Authority.
Be the prospective vehicle owner at time of application, and be the vehicle owner throughout the compliance period.

To be eligible for the second phase of NJ ZIP pilot, the Purchaser Applicant’s proposed vehicle(s) must be:

A new zero-emission Class 2b – Class 8 (GVWR 8,501 lbs. – 33,000+ lbs.) vehicle, used for commercial, industrial, or institutional purposes. Retrofits and repowers of pre-owned vehicles are not eligible.
- All ZEVs, defined as “a vehicle that emits no tailpipe pollutants from the onboard source of power, such as particulates, hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, ozone, lead, and various oxides of nitrogen”, are eligible for vouchers. This includes, but is not limited to, battery-electric (BEV) and hydrogen fuel cell-electric (FCEV) vehicles.
Purchased, delivered, and registered in compliance with the New Jersey Motor Vehicles Commission (“NJMVC”) within 12 months of receipt of the voucher approval letter. Proof of intent to purchase at time of application is required for eligibility. An extension for up to an additional six months may be permitted, as described below.
Not the subject of any other State or federal funding for the same vehicle(s).
Procured from an approved vendor (detailed in the following section).

Note: Vehicle scrappage is not mandated by this program EXCEPT in the case that the new vehicle is replacing a vehicle model year 2009 or earlier. For consistency with prior State programs, “scrappage” is defined within the DEP’s Volkswagen (“VW”) Settlement funded grant program as rendering the vehicle inoperable and available for recycle; at a minimum, to cut a 3-inch hole in the engine block and disable the chassis by cutting the vehicle’s frame rails complete in half. Vehicles that are not replacements (i.e., ZEV purchased are for new use cases or to expand a fleet) or are replacing a model year 2010 or later DO NOT have to comply with scrappage requirements. Information on any vehicle replacements will be requested within the application to determine scrappage requirements and support Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (“RGGI”)-metric reporting on avoided emissions.

Approved vehicle vendors for the second phase of NJ ZIP pilot must:

Provide proof of a minimum of 12 months of experience selling or manufacturing eligible zero-emission vehicles.
Be registered to conduct business in New Jersey, as demonstrated by a valid New Jersey Tax Clearance Certificate.

Be in good standing with the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development (DOL), the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), and the New Jersey Division of Taxation.
Satisfy the Authority’s debarment/disqualification review, not be in default under any Authority program, and not have any outstanding obligations to the Authority.
Offer at least one eligible vehicle and provide required vehicle-associated documentation, including but not limited to:
- Listing information related to the vehicles, such as via vendor website, inclusive of vehicle images, descriptions, and sale cost.
  - A specification sheet outlining all major components, corroborating vehicle capabilities, charging/fueling needs, design appropriate to proposed use, and eligibility.
  - Certification from the manufacturer that the vehicle complies with all applicable state and federal requirements for operation, including the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) issued by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) found in Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR).
  - Standard warranty for the eligible vehicle(s), indicating at least three years or 50,000 miles of coverage, whichever comes first, covering parts (at a minimum, motor, drive train, and batteries, hydrogen fuel cells, etc.) and labor. May be updated on a per-purchaser basis.
  - Typical delivery plan and timeline, updated on a per-purchaser basis.
  - Proof of intent to purchase eligible vehicle(s) on a per-purchaser basis
  - In-state servicing plan for maintenance of vehicles aligned with industry norms and current best practices implemented before vehicle delivery. May be updated on a per-purchaser basis.
  - Standard charging or fueling plan development methodology, updated on a per-purchaser basis to address such purchaser’s needs, providing clarity on, but not limited to, the anticipated count, type, capacity, and location of chargers/fueling stations necessary for the vehicle(s).
  - Agree to accept the program’s terms and conditions as laid out in the grant agreement, including but not limited to:
    - Accept the program’s voucher towards Purchaser Applicants’ vehicle payments, deducting the vehicle’s voucher amount from the upfront cost.
      - Engage with EDA’s selected technical assistance provider, potentially including in-person events when mutually agreed to.

Other terms and conditions: By accepting the voucher funding, Purchaser Applicants will also agree to the following terms:

Purchaser Applicant will register the vehicle in the State of New Jersey for a minimum of the three continuous years.
Purchaser Applicant will annually operate at least 75 percent of vehicle miles traveled (“VMT”) in the State of the New Jersey.
NJEDA’s right to audit and verify compliance with eligibility requirements post-voucher redemption, and agree to provide responses and data upon request to support such audits and verifications. For example, to verify VMT miles traveled within the eligible overburdened communities, NJEDA may require data such as but not limited to telematics, route maps, delivery histories, etc.
Permit the use of NJEDA Purchaser Applicant information, Vendor Applicant information, and vehicle data and information provided in the application and audit process that is not otherwise prohibited by law, for case studies and to support the development of future programs.
Purchaser Applicant will commit to displaying a visual indication on the commercial vehicle that it is a ZEV and that its purchase was subsidized through this program, as materially provided by NJEDA (e.g., a bumper sticker, placard, etc.).

Pilot Program Voucher Funding Levels

Voucher funding amounts are based on Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (“GVWR”) laid out in the table below:

Table 1: Voucher Amounts

Vehicle GVWR	Vehicle Class	Voucher amount
8,501 – 10,000 lbs.	Class 2b	$20,000
10,0001 – 14,000 lbs.	Class 3	$50,000
14,001 – 16,000 lbs.	Class 4	$65,000
16,001 – 19,500 lbs.	Class 5	$75,000
19,501 – 26,000 lbs.	Class 6	$90,000
26,001 – 33,000 lbs.	Class 7	$135,000
33,001+ lbs.	Class 8	$175,000

These voucher amounts are based on industry research with subject matter experts through procured consultant, Guidehouse, benchmarked against other states’ current, prior, and proposed programs, and verified with outreach from stakeholders. These values represent, based on current range of estimated ZEV costs, approximately 75 – 110 percent of the incremental cost of ZEV compared to similar internal combustion engine vehicles, bringing the ZEV closer to or at upfront cost parity for trucks. Through the same research, ZEV buses were identified as having a much larger upfront cost compared to diesel bus alternatives. These base voucher amounts would not meet the incremental cost of a ZEV bus, thus the need for additional voucher funding.

In order to address stakeholder-identified barriers and to further incentivize activity aligned with the Authority’s mission, Purchaser Applicants may be eligible and apply for increased per-vehicle voucher bonuses through documentation of any of the following:

Certified woman-, minority-, or veteran-owned business bonus: A four percent increase in the base voucher amount per vehicle per qualifying New Jersey State woman-, minority-, or veteran-owned business certification
Small business bonus: A 25 percent increase of the base voucher amount per vehicle.
- For the purposes of this program, a small business is defined as having 25 or fewer full time employees in total OR less than $5 million in annual revenue.
- New Jersey manufacturing bonus: A 25 percent increase of base voucher amount per vehicle will be available if the Vendor Applicant can document (for example, but not limited to, through price sheets and hourly rates) that 25 percent of the cost of the vehicle is spent in New Jersey on labor for vehicle design, assembly, and/or manufacturing or cost of components produced in New Jersey.
- Environmental justice bonus: A ten percent increase of base voucher amount per vehicle to small business applicants or municipalities who commit to driving in environmentally overburdened communities. To be eligible, Purchaser Applicants must demonstrate in a manner acceptable to the Authority, annual operation of 50 percent or more of VMT OR registration and domicile within an overburdened community census tract for a minimum of three continuous years from the date of registration.
- School Bus bonus: A 25 percent increase in base voucher amount per vehicle if the Purchaser Applicant is purchasing a school bus. Those receiving a benefit under P.L. 2022, c. 86 are not eligible under this program.

These bonuses may be stacked, and the Applicant may be eligible for multiple bonuses.

Purchaser Applicants may apply for more than one vehicle voucher within the same application. The total funding per vehicle may equal but may not exceed the cost of the vehicle. The total funding reserved for a Purchaser Applicant (as determined by EIN) through vouchers inclusive of any qualifying bonuses, cannot exceed $3,000,000, to ensure equitable distribution of resources.

Of the total NJ ZIP pilot program budget, $45,000,000 will be reserved to fund vouchers, utilizing the following allocations:

$15,000,000 will be set-aside for small businesses
$15,000,000 will be set-aside for overburdened community applications.

The remainder of voucher funding will be un-allocated. All disbursements will be subject to availability of funding.

Application Process:

The Purchaser Application will open at 10:00 AM Eastern on Tuesday, April18, 2022. There is not a deadline for applying; the portal will remain open until all the voucher funds are reserved, on a first come, first served basis, with set asides by location, business type, and use case. The application, once live, can be accessed at www.njeda.gov/njzip.

As a duplication of benefits (“DOB”) is prohibited, Purchaser Applicants shall disclose and certify as to receipt of funding or financial assistance from multiple sources for the same ZEV at time of disbursement. This will be verified by NJEDA.

A DOB occurs when someone receives funding or financial assistance from multiple sources for the same purpose/expense and the total assistance received exceeds their need for that type of assistance. Other funding sources that are considered in determining whether a duplication of benefits exists are other State or Federal grant-style programs, such as the NJ DEP’s Volkswagen Settlement funds or the US EPA’s Clean School Bus Rebate Program, which have the same purpose. So, the combined value of the NJ ZIP grant and other funding sources may not exceed the purchase price for the vehicle.

Federal tax credits and State sales tax exemptions are not considered duplication of benefits, as their purpose is not designed to reduce upfront cost.

Chargers and related infrastructure are not eligible for NJ ZIP voucher funding and therefore may be covered by utility, State, Federal, or other grant funding.

Fees: Applicants will be assessed an application fee of $1,000 per application.

If the fee creates an undue financial hardship on your business, you may apply for a fee waiver which, if approved by NJEDA, would reduce your fee by half ($500).

Additional Information:

Additional information on the NJ ZIP may be found at https://www.njeda.gov/njzip

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Main Street Micro Business Loan Program

Notice of Funding Availability

The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) expects to launch an online application for the Main Street Micro Business Loan Program at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, October 6^th at https://www.njeda.gov/microbusinessloan/. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis (first-come, first-served as applications are completed) until all funds are committed or program expires (three years). An application fee of $100 will be due at time of application and a $400 closing fee will be due after signing of the commitment letter.

Purpose

The Main Street Micro Business Loan will provide low-cost financing to New Jersey micro businesses in need of working capital to support future business operating expenses. This new pilot replaces the Micro Business Loan Program established in 2019.

Overview

On November 14, 2019, the NJEDA Board approved the creation of the Micro Business Loan Program as a pilot program utilizing $1 million from the NJEDA Economic Recovery Fund to make available loans of up to $50,000 to businesses that are: legally registered to do business in New Jersey and have a commercial location in New Jersey (no home-based businesses), with annual gross revenues of no more than $1.5 million (as demonstrated in the most recently filed federal tax return), and no more than 10 full-time employees at both time of application and three months prior. Under the Micro Business Loan Program, startup businesses were eligible, but were required to demonstrate either completion of an entrepreneurship training program or Small Business Development Center counseling sessions.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and financial hardships affecting New Jersey micro business owners, NJEDA staff recommended enhancements to the program which the NJEDA Board approved on June 9, 2020. Such enhancements included the elimination of fees and the inclusion of a loan forgiveness component to the program for forgiveness of 10 percent of the loan. On January 7, 2021, Governor Phil Murphy signed the New Jersey Economic Recovery Act of 2020 (ERA), P.L. 2021, c. 156, into law. The ERA presents a strong recovery and reform package that addresses the ongoing economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. The ERA positions New Jersey to build a stronger and fairer economy that invests in innovation, in our communities, and in our small businesses, along with the protections and oversight taxpayers deserve.

On July 2, 2021, Governor Murphy signed P.L. 2021 c.160 further improving the programs established under the New Jersey Economic Recovery Act of 2020. One of the programs under the ERA is the Main Street Recovery Finance Program, a small business support program under which individual financial assistance products are created. All of the individual financial assistance products share a common purpose of supporting the growth and success of small businesses in New Jersey. As of today, $150 million has been appropriated for the Main Street Recovery Fund, which funds products in the Main Street Recovery Finance Program. On August 11, 2021, the NJEDA Board approved the creation of special adopted rules creating the Main Street Recovery Finance Program.

Given the feedback from the business community and stakeholders as well as the effects of COVID-19 on micro businesses across New Jersey, staff requested to close the original Micro Business Loan pilot program and to introduce the Main Street Micro Business Loan, an enhanced pilot product within the Main Street Recovery Finance Program, with broadened eligibility and more flexible terms and enhanced forgiveness to support even more micro businesses.

Program Details

The Main Street Micro Business Loan will offer financing of up to $50,000 to micro businesses whose annual gross revenues are $1,500,000 or less and have 10 or fewer full-time employees at the time of application and three months prior to the date of application.

Eligible applicants include for-profit, nonprofit, and home-based businesses registered to do business in New Jersey with a business location (including a home office) in New Jersey. Entities must have been formed at least six months prior to the date of application, as evidenced by the date the business was formed in New Jersey. . The product offers a generous forgiveness option and does not require any collateral. The Main Street Micro Business Loan is a product of the Main Street Recovery Finance Program and is currently funded with a $20 million appropriation. Of the total funding amount, 40 percent will be reserved for micro businesses located in eligible Opportunity Zone census tracts (For information regarding Opportunity Zone census tracts go to: https://njeda.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=334118d138354b0d95763260aa8c55eb).

Eligibility

The following entities are eligible for financing under the Main Street Micro Business Loan:

For-profit businesses, non-profits, and home-based businesses with a business location in New Jersey formed for at least six months prior to the date of application. NJEDA will conduct a New Jersey Business Entity Search Report.
No real estate holding companies are eligible for this product.

All entities must meet the following requirements to be eligible under the Micro Business Loan:

Must have annual gross revenues of $1,500,000 or less, according to the most recent federal tax return that the applicant was required to file. If an applicant has filed for an extension with the IRS on their 2021 federal tax return, it must be provided at time of application along with their last three previous tax returns. If an applicant hasn’t filed their federal tax return due to their length of operations, the NJEDA may request the applicant to provide additional information like financial reports or P&L reports to determine that revenue will not exceed $1.5 million for the year.
At time of application and three months prior to application, the entity cannot have more than 10 full-time employees in total. All employees must work in New Jersey as evidenced by WR-30 filings. There is no minimum employee number and sole proprietors are eligible.
Employer Identification Number (EIN). The program permits one loan per business entity. A business entity with multiple locations (that is, all locations operate under only one EIN) will be limited to one application.
Must provide a current Tax Clearance Certification prior to receiving EDA approval. Directions for securing your tax clearance certificate (https://acrobat.adobe.com/link/track?uri=urn:aaid:scds:US:2aa0669b-b679-38c4-a4a8-9a4a5b9c1b1e) and please email BusinessAssistanceTC.Taxation@treas.nj.gov with issues or concerns.
Be in substantial good standing with the Department of Labor and Workforce Development, the Department of Environmental Protection, and the Department of Treasury.
Complete a legal debarment questionnaire and not be subject to disqualification based on that questionnaire.
Applicants and recipients of the original Micro Business Loan are eligible for this loan if they meet all eligibility requirements.

For for-profit businesses, the financial information provided will be utilized to verify annual revenue to determine an applicant’s eligibility and ownership. It will not be used to determine the applicant’s ability to repay this loan.

If otherwise eligible, staff will have a specialty hard credit report pulled specific for small businesses from CoreLogic Credco. At least one owner must have a credit score of 600 and above in at least one of the three data sources provided in the credit report: Equifax (Beacon 5.0), Experian (FICO II), and TransUnion (FICO Classic 04).

Non-profits will be required to meet a minimum Debt Service Coverage Ratio (DSCR) of 1.00x based on the most recent tax return or financial statements. Finally, prohibited businesses include, but are not limited to: gambling or gaming activities; the conduct or purveyance of “adult” (i.e., pornographic, lewd, prurient, obscene or otherwise similarly disreputable) activities, services, products or materials (including nude or semi-nude performances or the sale of sexual aids or devices); any auction or bankruptcy or fire or “lost-our-lease” or “going-out-of-business” or similar sales; sales by transient merchants, Christmas tree sales or other outdoor storage; any activity constituting a nuisance; or any illegal purposes.

Eligible Uses

Under the Main Street Micro Business Loan Program, funding shall be used to pay for future operating expenses. Eligible uses include future operating expenses which may be held as working capital to fund such future operating expenses, future inventory expenses, and future purchases of equipment (that does not require installation or construction work totaling more than $1,999.99). Home-based businesses cannot use loan for any residential costs (i.e., home mortgage/lease payments).

Ineligible Uses

Examples for which the Main Street Micro Business Loan funds cannot be used are the payment of personal, non-business obligations or costs incurred by related entities; construction to commercial or home-based businesses; equipment requiring installation or construction costs in excess of $1,999; rolling stock (such as cars, trucks, or vans).

Loan Amounts

The maximum loan amount is $50,000.

Standard 10-year term.
Two percent interest rate, set at approval.
No payments or interest will accrue during the first year after closing. Payments of principal and interest will commence at the beginning of year two.
No payment term amendments are allowed prior to end of fifth year. All other modifications unrelated to the payment terms may be permitted throughout the term of the loan.
If after the fifth year any payment terms are modified, the entity will no longer be eligible for forgiveness.
Applicants must continue to make their loan payments until forgiveness is awarded by NJEDA.
At the end of year five, the applicant may be eligible for the loan balance to be forgiven if the applicant has: (1) made their loan payments as identified in their loan agreement with no delinquency of more than 90 days, (2) has no current default, (3) is still open and operating, and (4) has used the loan proceeds for approved purposes only.
The applicant will be required to submit a certification form (included in their closing documents) at least 60 days prior to the end of the fifth year to certify that they have met the requirements for loan forgiveness.
Applicants may still qualify for loan forgiveness if the certification form is received after the anniversary of year five, however, loan payments will continue to be required until the certification form is provided to and eligibility is verified by NJEDA.
If, after submission of the form, NJEDA can verify eligibility, NJEDA will forgive the balance of the loan remaining either at the end of year five (if submitted 60 days prior to the end of the fifth year) or at the time the form is verified if submitted later.
Should an applicant not be eligible for forgiveness or does not request forgiveness by submitting the certification form to NJEDA, the applicant will be required to continue making their payments as defined in their loan agreement.

Application Process

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis (first-come, first-served as applications are completed) until all funds are committed or program expires (three years).

Fees

The Main Street Micro Business Loan Program will include a partial waiver of EDA’s standard application and closing fees because of the drastic negative impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on micro businesses. The non-refundable application fee due at the time of application is $100 and the closing fee is $400.

Additional Information

Comprehensive information about the Main Street Micro Business Loan Program is available at https://www.njeda.gov/microbusinessloan/.

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Main Street Lenders Grant
Notice of Funding Availability

The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) will begin accepting applications for the Main Street Lenders Grant at 10:00 a.m. on May 25,2022. The application can be accessed at https://www.njeda.gov/main-street-lenders-grant/ applications will be reviewed on a first come, first served basis. A $1,000 application fee is required at time of application.

Please be advised that the Main Street Lenders Grant is a grant program for organizations that lend to micro businesses, and is NOT a direct grant to micro businesses.

Purpose

The Main Street Lenders Grant – a pilot product under the Main Street Recovery Finance Program, N.J.S.A. 34:1B-351 et seq- is offering lending grants of up to $1,000,000 to be used by eligible micro business lenders to create new or supplement existing micro business loan products. Lenders may also be eligible for an additional technical assistance grant equal to 50 percent of the lending grant request to better prepare micro businesses to qualify for these or other loan products. The Main Street Lenders Grant will be available to Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs); Minority Depository Institutions (MDIs); and other eligible lenders, as defined in N.J.S.A. 34:1B-353.

Grants will be disbursed at time of closing. All lending and technical assistance funds must be disbursed within three years from the NJEDA grant closing date.

Overview

On August 11, 2021, NJEDA’s Board approved the creation of the Main Street Recovery Finance Program – one of over 15 programs under the New Jersey Economic Recovery Act of 2020, P.L. 2020, c. 156 as amended by P.L. 2021, c. 160. On November 13, 2021, NJEDA’s board approved the creation of the Main Street Lenders Grant under the Main Street Recovery Finance Program, N.J.S.A. 34:1B-351 et seq. Beyond meeting the statutory definition, the Authority will require that any entity applying for the lending grant have a demonstrated history of 10 years experience serving small and micro businesses. Furthermore, any entity applying for the technical assistance grant must demonstrate two years experience providing technical assistance to micro businesses either directly, or in collaboration with a technical assistance partner. The intent is for these grants to enable lending entities to provide micro businesses with technical assistance, and then to be able to offer a loan product to the micro business upon completion of the technical assistance.

Program Details

The Main Street Lenders Grant will offer two types of grants to eligible entities. The first type of grant is a lending grant used as funding for new micro business lending products or as supplemental funding for existing micro business lending products. The maximum lending grant that can be awarded to each entity is $1 million. The second type of grant, available as a complement to the lending grant, is a technical assistance grant. The technical assistance grant will support eligible entities with the costs associated with providing technical assistance to micro businesses to best prepare and position these micro businesses to qualify for micro business loans. The maximum technical assistance grant an eligible lending entity may receive is 50 percent of the lending grant request amount (not to exceed $500,000). Only lenders that receive a lending grant are eligible for the technical assistance grant.

Currently, the program has $15 million in funding; it may be expanded as additional funds become available. Forty percent of all funding is set-aside for businesses located in eligible New Jersey Opportunity Zone census tracts.

Eligibility

To be eligible for the grant, applicants must have at least 10 years of small and micro business lending experience. These lending entities may be based outside of New Jersey but must use funds to service eligible New Jersey-based businesses only. If applying for the technical assistance grant, the lending entity must also demonstrate two years of experience providing technical assistance to micro businesses.

Applicants must be one of the following:

Community Development Finance Institutions (CDFIs) as defined NJAC 19:315.2; a community development financial institution certified by the U.S. Department of the Treasury.
Minority Depository Institutions (MDIs) as recognized by the FDIC;
Entities defined as “other eligible lenders” under NJSA 34:1B-353(b), which includes: “a zone development corporation as defined in section 3 of P.L. 1983, c. 303 (C.52:27H-62) that is located in a municipality with a population greater than 100,000 or a nonprofit lender with at least 10 years’ experience lending to micro and small businesses.

As part of the evaluation of each organization’s grant application, the applicant must:

Demonstrate the applicant has 10 years of lending experience to micro and small businesses.
Provide a recap of portfolio activity in the last 10 years from the date of application demonstrating growth in capacity and lending efforts in the last year. For the previous year the applicant must provide a breakout of percentage of micro businesses served (using NJEDA’s definition of a micro business defined as a business in New Jersey with ten or fewer full-time employees and no greater than $1.5 million in annual revenues). This percentage of micro businesses served in the last year must be at least 20% to be eligible.
Provide detailed information related to the new product that will be created with these funds, or existing loan programs that will be leveraged with these funds, and that these products will meet Main Street Lender Grant product specifications for flexible loan products. A product term sheet must be provided as part of application and highlight eligibility criteria, loan terms, fees, and any other necessary criteria.
Explain the applicant’s policy or plan for serving communities and business segments underserved by the banking sector and other financial institutions and show significant experience complying with such policy or plan.

Provide a detailed marketing plan on how this product will be marketed to attract new micro businesses owners. The plan should highlight what steps will be taken to ensure the product will serve all micro business owners. Demonstrate how the target of closing 40 percent of loans in eligible Opportunity Zone Census Tracts will be achieved. Applicants must offer their product information in other languages, identifying the specific languages.
Demonstrate at least two years experience providing technical assistance to small and micro business owners. Applicant-lender must be able to document direct technical assistance experience or document an association with a for-profit or non-profit entity that will be providing such eligible technical assistance activities to micro businesses looking to pursue the lending product. The applicant must provide the number of businesses served within the two years experience and the direct services provided, and indicate how the businesses served leveraged this support.
Complete an online grant application to include a 1-3 page narrative proposal detailing how grant funding will be used and disclose financial metrics, such as the availability of capital, to demonstrate the applicant lender’s ability to offer loan products.
Be in substantial good standing with the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development (DOL), the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), and the New Jersey Department of Treasury at the time of application. A current tax clearance certification must be provided prior to approval, unless the applicant is not required to register with the Division of Taxation.

After execution of the grant agreement, the receiving entity must:

Adhere to quarterly reporting requirements specified and provided by NJEDA.
Fully disburse all NJEDA grant funds within three years from NJEDA grant agreement closing date to eligible micro businesses.
Close 40 percent of loans funded by the grant to businesses that are in Opportunity Zone Census Tracts by the end of the three years grant period.

Failure to abide by the terms of the grant agreement may result in recapture of the grant funds. If grant funds are not used for eligible reasons as identified, then the lending entity is responsible for repayment to NJEDA. Any portion of the grant funds that remain unused three years from the NJEDA grant closing date must be returned to NJEDA.

Eligible Uses

Main Street Lenders Grant funding can only by used to create or supplement an existing lending product. The product must provide term working capital loans to qualified micro businesses offering the following features:

The micro businesses must have less than 10 full time employees at the time of application and have less than $1.5 million in annual revenue (based on their last federal tax return required to be filed).
The micro businesses must have a commercial location in New Jersey, which can be a home-based business.
The loans may be used by the micro businesses for any purpose except restructuring existing debts or financing, any construction, reconstruction, demolition, alteration, repair work, maintenance work, or construction related to installation of equipment where such activity exceeds $1,999.99. Additionally, home-based businesses are not permitted to use the working capital loans for rent, mortgage, property tax payments, utilities, or for the purchase of equipment that attaches to the property. Examples of permitted uses are equipment purchases, rolling stock, and operating expenses such as payroll, marketing, inventory, rent, mortgage/property tax payments, utilities, or any other expenses that are applicable to the daily operation of the business.
Home-based businesses, non-profit organizations, for-profit entities, sole proprietors, and/or startups may be eligible to participate.
Lending entities are required to collect a current New Jersey Business Tax Clearance Certificate from micro business applicants, if applicable.
The minimum credit score required of the micro business to qualify for the loan must be under 650.
Terms of the loan to applicants can go up to a 10-year term.
Upon loan closing, a payment moratorium period of at least 12 months must be provided to the micro businesses.
The loan product offered must be fully amortizing to avoid balloon payments.
Interest rates cannot exceed five percent on each loan.
Loan amounts must be no greater than $100,000 and no lower than $10,000.
The product must allow for a minimum Debt Service Coverage Ratio on this program of 1.0, but the personal cash flow of the micro business owners who are personal guarantors may be considered.
Application fees may be charged, but shall not exceed one percent of the loan amount.
No prepayment penalty may be charged to the micro businesses.
Collateral and personal guarantees are optional, as determined by lending entity.
The program can allow for loan modifications as determined by entity.
The lending entity must lend and disburse 40 percent of the total lending grant to micro businesses located in Opportunity Zone Census Tracts.
Lenders shall not provide any financial assistance to micro businesses that are engaged in any of the following: the conduct or purveyance of “adult” (i.e., pornographic, lewd, prurient, obscene or otherwise similarly disreputable) activities, services, products or materials (including nude or seminude performances or the sale of sexual aids or devices); any auction, bankruptcy, fire, “lost-our-lease,” “going-out of business,” or similar sale; sales by transient merchants, Christmas tree sales, or other outdoor storage; or any activity constituting a nuisance.

Applicants applying for the lending grant can also apply for a technical assistance grant. This grant is for micro businesses to be able to pursue or prepare to apply for a loan. The applicant must have the required two years of experience or use a partner to that has the required experienced and services micro businesses. The eligible uses for the technical assistance grant are:

Technical assistance services may only be offered to micro businesses that meet the definition of a micro business and are pursuing financing. The technical assistance services offered by the lender that this grant can support may include, but are not limited to:

Loan packaging assistance to applicants (for example, hiring new staff to directly serve those NJ-based micro businesses applying for new or existing loan products funded by the lending grant).
Credit repair services that may be offered to help loan applicants repair their credit score to be eligible for new or existing loan products funded by the lending grant.
Business plan preparation services.
Projection preparation assistance for entities that need such information for their loan application.
QuickBooks and Excel training services to help micro business owners better track their business operations.
Online and social media specific marketing to help a micro business grow their operations and customer base.
E-commerce services to help micro business owners pivot into better servicing their customer through a website (either creating or updating a current website) or to set up an e- commerce platform and pay for subscription fees.

Grant Amounts

The Lending Grant can be up to a $1 million request and the technical assistance grant can be up to 50 percent of the lending grant request but cannot exceed $500,000. Total grant award cannot be more than $1.5 million per applicant.

Application Process

Online applications will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis based upon the date the NJEDA receives a completed application submission. The application can be accessed at https://www.njeda.gov/main-street-lenders-grant/

Fees

A $1,000 non-refundable application fee per application is required at time of application.

Additional Information

Comprehensive information about the Main Street Lenders Grant is available at https://www.njeda.gov/main-street-lenders-grant/

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NEW JERSEY COMMISSION ON SCIENCE, INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY (CSIT)
NOTICE OF FUNDING AVAILABILITY
Clean Tech Research and Development (R&D) Voucher Pilot Program – Round 2

The New Jersey Commission on Science, Innovation and Technology (CSIT) expects to launch an online application for the Clean Tech Research and Development (R&D) Voucher Pilot Program – Round 2 at 9:00 am on May 2, 2022 at www.njeda.gov/csit. Applications will be reviewed and accepted on a rolling basis as long as program funds are available. No fees will be charged for this program.

Purpose

This grant opportunity is issued by the New Jersey Commission on Science, Innovation and Technology (CSIT) in collaboration with the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA), seeking applications from qualified applicants for the Clean Tech Research and Development (R&D) Voucher Pilot Program, Round 2 to support early-stage businesses in the State. The goal of the program is to support New Jersey based early-stage clean tech/clean energy company efforts to accelerate development and innovation of clean technologies to transform new discoveries from research stage into commercially viable technologies, leading to industry and investor interest in the following target areas:

Chemicals/Advance Materials
Energy Distribution/Storage
Energy Efficiency
Energy Generation
Green Buildings
Transportation
Waste Processing
Water and Agriculture.

Overview

The Clean Tech R&D Voucher Pilot Program, Round 2 has a total budget of $375,000 for voucher awards. Funding for the program is provided by the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU). The program will be implemented by CSIT and NJEDA, and technical support will be provided at participating university/college facilities, federal lab facilities and makerspaces.

The objectives of the program are to:

improve awareness, access to and utilization of New Jersey’s world-leading equipment, facilities and makerspaces; and
subsidize access to research and development equipment, facilities and makerspaces for small New Jersey-based companies that are developing innovative technologies in the clean energy/clean tech space.

Program Details

The program will subsidize the cost of access to participating New Jersey facilities and makerspaces for businesses to access equipment, labs, and facilities for clean energy/clean technological research and development. An asset map listing New Jersey university/college and federal laboratory facilities will be available on the CSIT webpage (www.njeda.gov/csit).

Each approved voucher will be valid for a period of six months, starting from date of the execution of the Voucher Agreement. Any unused approved voucher amounts will be cancelled after the six month period and returned to the program budget for future use. At CSIT’s sole discretion, a one-time voucher extension of up to three months may be approved if requested in writing.

Provided that funding is available, all complete applications that meet the eligibility criteria and are in compliance with the required documentation are eligible for funding.

Eligibility

To be eligible for the Clean Tech R&D Voucher Pilot Program, Round 2, applicant companies must:

Be registered to conduct business in New Jersey at the time of application.
- Have no more than 25 full-time employees (FTE calculated on a 35 hour work week) at time of application.
- One hundred percent of project work for which the voucher is being sought must be conducted in New Jersey.
- A minimum of one full-time employee must be working in New Jersey at time of application, during the review process and throughout the voucher duration (FTE calculated on a 35-hour work week).
- Fifty percent or more of the total work of the applicant company’s employees, including founders, and contractors must be conducted in New Jersey (FTE calculated on a 35-hour work week).
- The applicant company must obtain a signed approval letter from a participating facility confirming that they are capable and willing to provide the services that will be supported by the voucher.
- The applicant company must be developing or testing clean technologies intended to avoid emissions of, or recapture of, greenhouse gases and/or criteria pollutants, or to enable such avoidance or recapture in the following target areas:
  - Chemicals/Advance Materials
  - Energy Distribution/Storage
  - Energy Efficiency
  - Energy Generation
  - Green Buildings
  - Transportation
  - Waste Processing
  - Water and Agriculture.

Applicant companies must have 25 or fewer full-time employees (FTE calculated on a 35 hour work week) to receive a voucher to cover the cost of the service or access to a participating facility.

To participate a facility must:

All applicant projects must be for a minimum technology development level of TRL 1 (Basic research) through a maximum developmental level of TRL 7 (Full- scale, similar (prototypical) system demonstrated in relevant environment). Please consult Attachment A for an explanation of these US Department of Energy definitions.

Eligible Uses

Eligible applicants can receive vouchers of $1,000 up to $25,000 to defray one hundred percent the costs associated with any of the following services or activities in a participating New Jersey university or federal laboratory facility:

Use of facility equipment and technicians for testing and development.
Training in preparation for independent use of the facility equipment.

Manufacturing of products for sale or commercial use.
Real estate rental expenses.

Grant Amounts

Eligible applicants can receive vouchers of $1,00 up to $25,000. Each eligible applicant can apply for multiple vouchers up to a cap of $25,000 in the aggregate over any 12-month period.

Application Process

The application will open at 9:00 am on May 2, 2022 at www.njeda.gov/csit. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis as long as program funds are available. All applications to the Clean Tech R&D Voucher Pilot Program must include the following documentation:

Completed online application via CSIT Portal including a
- Signed Application Certification and
- Completed CSIT Legal Debarment Questionnaire.
Summary of the most recent internal applicant company payroll (detailing information on each employee of the company, number of hours worked per week and primary work location).
Current employee information as appropriate for the applicant company’s structure and staffing (i.e., most recent Federal 941, NJ WR-30 (W2 employees) or 1099 (contractors), Shareholder Agreement or K-1).
Current New Jersey tax clearance certificate listing New Jersey Commission on Science, Innovation and Technology. (See https://www16.state.nj.us/NJ_PREMIER_EBIZ/jsp/home.jsp.) All certificates that do not specifically list CSIT will be rejected.
Approval letter from a participating New Jersey university or federal laboratory facility.
Copy of a signed agreement between the applicant and facility.

The following steps detail the application submission process:

All companies wishing to apply must begin their application by completing the intake portion of the application. This includes questions concerning the applicant; the proposed scope of work; the type of facilities for which access is being requested; and if known, the New Jersey university or federal laboratory at which such facilities are located; and program eligibility information. CSIT will review the intake information and forward the project technical requirements to the Clean Tech Research and Development (R&D) Voucher Pilot Program university/college and federal laboratory review committee
The university/college and federal laboratory review committee (consisting of representatives from each participating university/college and federal laboratory facility) will review the intake forms of each applicant on a rolling basis and direct the application to the relevant facility where the applicant intends to work or the most suitable facility to conduct work
Facility staff will contact each applicant to submit a detailed project proposal describing the intended scope of work. The applicant and the participating facility will review the scope of work and, if the participating facility agrees to the work, the applicant will complete the facility’s application process and sign any relevant forms with the university/college or federal laboratory. The facility will then issue an approval letter to the applicant for the CSIT program detailing the services to be provided and the full cost before application of a voucher.
CSIT will provide the applicant a submission code to finalize their application with all required documentation, including the approval letter and a copy of any facility agreements from the participating facility. The application must be completed within six weeks of the receipt of the submission code from CSIT. If the application is not completed, the approval will be cancelled, and the reserved funds returned to the program budget.
All submitted applications will be reviewed by CSIT for document completeness and compliance on a rolling basis. Following the completeness review, applicants with missing documentation will receive an email notification from CSIT to re-submit any missing or incomplete required documentation.
Once an application has been reviewed and approved, the voucher funds will be reserved for six months from the date of the voucher reservation approval letter. During this period, the applicant and CSIT must execute a Voucher Agreement detailing the terms and conditions of the voucher and complete the voucher use at the respective facility. At CSIT’s sole discretion, a voucher reservation may be extended for one three-month period if requested in writing prior to expiration.
At the end of the voucher period, the applicant will submit to CSIT a completion report detailing the scope of work achieved during the voucher and an expense invoice detailing the costs expended and services provided.

PLEASE NOTE: The online application will enable applicants to provide an electronic Application Certification by uploading a signed PDF. However, if an applicant prefers not to provide an electronic Application Certification, the applicant may:

i. Mail a hard copy of the signed Application Certification postmarked to CSIT at:

Commission on Science, Innovation and Technology Attn: Judith Sheft (Executive Director)

36 W State Street PO Box 990

Trenton, NJ 08625

AND

ii. Email CSIT (csitcleantech@njeda.com) with the subject line: “MAILED Application Certification Clean Tech R&D Voucher Pilot Program – Round 2” indicating that the certification document has been mailed. Only the signed CSIT Application Certification maybe mailed. The rest of the application must be submitted through the online system.

PLEASE NOTE: Due to COVID-19, it may take longer than usual for applicants to obtain certain State documentation, such as the New Jersey Tax Clearance Certificate. If an applicant has attempted to obtain but has not received documentation, the applicant must provide CSIT with correspondence or receipts that demonstrate the attempt to obtain the documentation.

Fees

No fees will be collected by CSIT for this program.

Additional Information

Other Terms and Conditions

For two years from the date of the Voucher Agreement, employees and consultants who continue working on the project must conduct all of their work in a New Jersey location. Failure to comply will trigger a requirement that the applicant make full re-payment of the grant award.

All Voucher awardees must annually report economic impact data to CSIT upon the completion of the project for a period of two years, as will be outlined in the Voucher Agreement and by submitting an Economic Impact Questionnaire provided by CSIT.

All voucher awardees are asked to commit to participate in future CSIT/NJEDA/BPU alumni activities, such as serving as a panel member or participating in interviews.

Confidentiality

Attachment A: Technology Readiness Level[1] (TRL)

TRL 1
Basic Research: Initial scientific research has been conducted. Principles are qualitatively postulated and observed. Focus is on new discovery rather than applications

TRL 2
Applied Research: Initial practical applications are identified. Potential of material or process to solve a problem, satisfy a need, or find application is confirmed

TRL 3
Critical Function or Proof of Concept Established: Applied research advances and early-stage development begins. Studies and laboratory measurements validate analytical predictions of separate elements of the technology

TRL 4
Lab Testing/Validation of Alpha Prototype Component/Process: Design, development and lab testing of components/processes. Results provide evidence that performance targets may be attainable based on projected or modeled systems

TRL 5
Laboratory Testing of Integrated/Semi-Integrated System: System Component and/or process validation is achieved in a relevant environment

TRL 6
Prototype System Verified: System/process prototype demonstration in an operational environment (beta prototype system level)

TRL 7
Integrated Pilot System Demonstrated: System/process prototype demonstration in an operational environment (integrated pilot system level)

TRL 8
System Incorporated in Commercial Design: Actual system/process completed and qualified through test and demonstration (pre-commercial demonstration)

TRL 9
System Proven and Ready for Full Commercial Deployment: Actual system proven through successful operations in operating environment, and ready for full commercial deployment

[1] TRL levels summarized from Department of Energy (DOE) Report

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NEW JERSEY COMMISSION ON SCIENCE, INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY (CSIT)
NOTICE OF FUNDING AVAILABILITY
Catalyst Research and Development (R&D) Voucher Pilot Program

The New Jersey Commission on Science, Innovation and Technology (CSIT) expects to launch an online application for the Catalyst Research and Development (R&D) Voucher Pilot Program at 9:00 am on May 2, 2022 at www.njeda.gov/csit. Applications will be reviewed and accepted on a rolling basis as long as program funds are available. No fees will be charged for this program.

Purpose

This grant opportunity is issued by the New Jersey Commission on Science, Innovation and Technology (CSIT) in collaboration with the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA), seeking applications from qualified applicants for Catalyst Research and Development (R&D) Voucher Pilot Program to support early-stage companies in the State. The goal of the program is to support New Jersey based early-stage company efforts to accelerate development and innovation of technologies to transform new discoveries from research stage into commercially viable technologies, leading to industry and investor interest in the following target areas:

Advanced Manufacturing
Advanced Transportation and Logistics
Film and Digital Media
Life Sciences – Therapeutic Drug Development
Life Sciences – Other
Non-Retail Food and Beverage
Professional and Financial Services
Technology.

Overview

Catalyst R&D Voucher Pilot Program has a total budget of $275,000 for voucher awards. Funding for the program is provided by funds from CSIT’s FY2023 budget appropriation. The program will be implemented by CSIT and technical support will be provided at participating universities/colleges, federal labs and non-profit organizations.

The objectives of the program are to:

improve awareness, access to and utilization of New Jersey’s world-leading equipment, facilities, and makerspaces; and
subsidize access to research and development equipment, facilities and makerspaces for small New Jersey based companies that are developing innovative technologies.

Program Details

The program will subsidize the cost of access to any New Jersey participating university/college, non-profit organization and federal lab for early-stage companies to access equipment and facilities for technological research and development. An asset map listing participating facilities will be available on the CSIT webpage (www.njeda.gov/csit).

Each approved voucher will be valid for a period of 12 months (starting from date of the execution of the voucher agreement). Any unused approved voucher amounts will be cancelled after the twelve (12) month period and returned to the program budget for future use. At CSIT’s sole discretion, a voucher reservation may be extended for one three-month period if requested in writing prior to expiration.

Provided that funding is available, all complete applications that meet the eligibility criteria and are in compliance with the required documentation are eligible for funding.

Eligibility

To be eligible for the Catalyst R&D Voucher Pilot Program, the applicant company must:

Be registered to conduct business in New Jersey at the time of application.
Have no more than 25 full-time employees (FTE calculated on a 35 hour work week) at time of application, until the voucher is awarded and throughout the voucher duration.
One hundred percent of project work for which the voucher is being sought must be conducted in New Jersey.
A minimum of one full-time employee must be working in New Jersey at the time of application, until the voucher is awarded and throughout the voucher duration (FTE calculated on a 35 hour work week).
Fifty percent or more of the total work of the applicant company’s employees and contractors must be conducted in New Jersey (FTE calculated on a 35 hour work week).
The applicant company must obtain a signed approval letter from a participating university/college, federal lab or non-profit organization confirming that the facility is capable of and willing to provide the services that will be supported by the voucher.
The applicant company must be developing or testing technologies in the following target areas:
- Advanced Manufacturing
- Advanced Transportation and Logistics
- Film and Digital Media
- Life Sciences – Therapeutic Drug Development
- Life Sciences – Other
- Non-Retail Food and Beverage
- Professional and Financial Services
- Technology.

Applicant companies must have 25 full-time employees (FTE calculated on a 35 hour work week) or less to receive a voucher to cover the cost of the service and facility access.

To participate a facility must:

be in a two or four-year college or university (public, state, or non-profit) located in New Jersey, or a federal or non-profit organization located in New Jersey,
allow outside businesses to utilize research and development facilities on a fee-for-service basis, and
provide a contact person to facilitate requests and participate in Catalyst Voucher Committee meetings.

Eligible Uses

Eligible applicants can receive vouchers to defray the costs associated with any of the following services or activities in participating facilities:

Access to core lab facilities, equipment, makerspaces and technology centers.
Use of facility equipment and technicians for testing and development.
Training in preparation for independent use of the facility equipment or makerspaces.

manufacturing of products for sale or commercial use,
real estate rental expenses, and
patient clinical trial expense.

Grant Amounts

Eligible applicants can receive vouchers of $1,000 up to $25,000 . Each eligible applicant can apply for multiple vouchers up to a cap of $25,000 in the aggregate over any 12-month period.

Application Process

The application will open at 9:00 am on May 2, 2022 at www.njeda.gov/csit. Applications will be reviewed and accepted on a rolling basis as long as program funds are available. All applications to the Catalyst R&D Voucher Pilot Program must include the following documentation:

Completed online application via CSIT Portal including a
- Signed Application Certification and
- Completed CSIT Legal Debarment Questionnaire.
Summary of the most recent internal applicant company payroll (detailing information on each employee of the company, number of hours worked per week and primary work location).
Current employee information as appropriate for the applicant company’s structure and staffing (i.e., most recent Federal 941, NJ WR-30 (W2 employees) or 1099 (contractors), Shareholder Agreement or K-1).
Current New Jersey tax clearance certificate listing New Jersey Commission on Science, Innovation and Technology. (See https://www16.state.nj.us/NJ_PREMIER_EBIZ/jsp/home.jsp.) All certificates that do not specifically list CSIT will be rejected.
Approval letter from a participating facility.
Copy of a signed facility agreement between the applicant and facility.

The following steps detail the application submission process:

All companies must begin their application by completing the intake portion of the application. This includes questions concerning the applicant; the proposed scope of work; the type of facilities for which access is being requested; and if known, the university/college, federal lab or non-profit organization at which such facilities are located; and program eligibility information. CSIT will review the intake information and forward the project technical requirements to the Catalyst R&D Voucher Pilot Program facility review committee.
The facility review committee (consisting of representatives from each participating university/college, federal lab or non-profit organization) will review the intake forms of each applicant on a rolling basis and direct the application to the facility the applicant intends to work with or the most suitable facility to conduct the work.
Facility staff will contact each applicant to submit a detailed Project proposal describing the intended scope of work. The applicant and the participating facility will review the scope of work and, if the participating facility agrees to the work, the applicant will complete the facility’s application process and sign any relevant forms. The facility will then issue an approval letter to the applicant for the program detailing the services to be provided and the full cost before application of a voucher.
CSIT will provide the applicant a submission code to finalize their application with all required documentation including the approval letter and a copy of any facility agreements from the participating facility. The application must be completed within six weeks of the receipt of the submission code from CSIT. If the application is not completed, the approval will be cancelled, and the reserved funds returned to the program budget.
All submitted applications will be reviewed by CSIT for document completeness and compliance on a rolling basis. Following the completeness review, applicants with missing documentation will receive an email notification from CSIT to re-submit any missing or incomplete required documentation.
Once an application has been reviewed and approved, the voucher funds will be reserved for 12 months from the date of the voucher reservation approval letter. During this period, the applicant and CSIT must execute a voucher agreement detailing the terms and conditions of the voucher and complete the voucher use at the respective facility. At CSIT’s sole discretion, a voucher reservation may be extended for one three-month period if requested in writing prior to expiration.
At the end of the voucher period, the applicant will submit to CSIT a completion report detailing the scope of work achieved with the voucher and an expense invoice detailing the costs expended and services provided.

i. Mail a hard copy of the signed Application Certification to CSIT at:

Commission on Science, Innovation and Technology

Attn: Judith Sheft (Executive Director)

36 W State Street PO Box 990

Trenton, NJ 08625

AND

ii. Email CSIT (csitcatalyst@njeda.com) with the subject line: “MAILED Application Certification Catalyst Research and Development (R&D) Voucher Pilot Program” indicating that the certification document has been mailed. Only the signed CSIT Application Certification may be mailed. The rest of the application must be submitted through the online system.

PLEASE NOTE: Due to COVID-19, it may take longer than usual for applicants to obtain certain documentation, such as the New Jersey Tax Clearance Certificate. If an applicant has attempted to obtain but has not received documentation, the applicant must provide CSIT with correspondence or receipts that demonstrate the attempt to obtain the documentation.

All New Jersey Tax Clearance Certificates MUST be submitted before any recommendation of an award will be made with respect to that applicant

Fees

No fees will be collected by CSIT for this program.

Additional Information

Other Terms & Conditions

All voucher awardees must report economic impact data to CSIT upon the completion of the project for a period of two years, as will be outlined in the Voucher Agreement, and by submitting an Economic Impact Questionnaire provided by CSIT.

All voucher awardees must commit to participate in future CSIT/NJEDA alumni activities, such as serving as a panel member or participating in interviews about Program experience.

Confidentiality

Applications received will be reviewed only by staff of CSIT, NJEDA and participating universities/colleges, federal labs and non-profit organizations. All applications submitted will be subject to requests for disclosure, including but not limited to, requests pursuant to the Open Public Records Act (“OPRA”) N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1 et seq. If the applicant believes that information contained in its proposal merits confidential treatment pursuant to OPRA, any such purportedly confidential information submitted to the Authority must be specifically identified and marked by the applicant as such.

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Small Business Improvement Grant Program
Notice of Funding Availability
Español (Spanish)

The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) will begin accepting applications for the Small Business Improvement Grant Program at 10:00 a.m. EST on Thursday, February 10, 2022. The application can be accessed at https://www.njeda.gov/small-business-improvement-grant/. Applications will be reviewed on a first come, first served basis. A $100 approval fee is required after the application has been reviewed and prior to execution of a grant agreement.

Purpose

The Small Business Improvement Grant Program offers reimbursement to small businesses for costs associated with making building improvements or purchasing new furniture, fixtures and equipment. This grant will reimburse a small business for 50 percent of total eligible project costs incurred after March 9, 2020, but no more than 2 years prior to the application date.

Overview

On August 11, 2021, NJEDA’s Board approved the creation of the Main Street Recovery Finance Program, which established the Small Business Lease Grant and the Small Business Improvement Grant to support eligible small business with facility improvements. The NJEDA began accepting applications for the Small Business Lease Grant in October 2021.

Program Details

The Small Business Improvement Grant Program will provide grants of up to $50,000 to New Jersey-based small businesses and nonprofits to reimburse business owners for costs associated with making interior or exterior building improvements or purchasing and installing new furniture, fixtures and equipment. The grant will reimburse a small business eligible for assistance from the United States Small Business Administration (SBA) for 50 percent of eligible total project costs incurred after March 9, 2020, but no more than 2 years prior to the application date. Additional eligibility criteria apply. Currently, the program has $15 million in funding; it may be expanded as additional funds become available. Forty percent of all funding is set-aside for businesses located in eligible NJ Opportunity Zone census tracts.

Eligibility

The Small Business Improvement Grant is reimbursement based. A business must have completed the capital improvements or purchased and/or installed the new furniture, fixtures and equipment.

To be eligible under the program, applicants must:

Rent or own and operate from the facility. Landlords are not eligible under this program.
Meet SBAs definition of Small Business based on the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS).
Have a total project cost of at least $5,000, and have incurred that cost on or after March 9, 2020, with the capital improvement work having commenced no more 2 years prior to date of application.
Provide a WR-30 or equivalent payroll documentation.
Provide a current tax clearance certificate prior to approval.
Be in good standing with the Department of Labor.
Be in good standing with the Department of Environmental Protection.
Certify at application that they are not in default with any other EDA or State assistance.
Certify that all the information and documentation provided to the NJEDA is true and accurate.

Businesses defined as “home-based businesses” may only receive reimbursement for new equipment purchased and/or installed. Home-based businesses are not eligible for reimbursement for renovation or improvement projects. Non-profits and for-profit businesses are eligible to apply. Applicants are eligible to receive a Small Business Lease Grant and Small Business Improvement Grant for the same location. Applicants are limited to one application per Employer Identification Number (EIN). Applicants operating from multiple locations under a single EIN are limited to one application under the sole EIN, but may pool project costs from multiple locations into a single application.

After execution of the grant agreement, the receiving entity must:

Commit to paying each full-time and part-time employee not less than $15 per hour or 120 percent of the minimum wage, whichever is higher. For tipped employees, the small business shall not pay less than 120 percent of the minimum wage. Businesses that receive grant funding of up to $25,000 must comply with these wage requirements for two years. Businesses that receive grant funding of greater than $25,000 must comply with these wage requirements for four years. Non-compliance with these wage requirements will result in repayment of the grant to the NJEDA.
Remain in the location for a period of time based on the amount of the grant. For grants of up to $25,000, the entity must remain in the location for at least two years. For grants of greater than $25,000, the entity must remain in the location for at least four years. Non-compliance with this requirement will result in repayment of the grant to the NJEDA.

Additional eligibility requirements may apply to ensure that the applicant is eligible. This may include, but is not limited to:

An acknowledgement and agreement that grant proceeds be applied to eligible uses only.
Projects with costs over $50,000 must comply with Green Building Standards for lighting and mechanical work.
Affirmative action standards apply to contractors with four or more employees.

Finally, prohibited businesses include, but are not limited to: gambling or gaming activities; the conduct or purveyance of “adult” (i.e., pornographic, lewd, prurient, obscene or otherwise similarly disreputable) activities, services, products or materials (including nude or semi-nude performances or the sale of sexual aids or devices); any auction or bankruptcy or fire or “lost-our-lease” or “going-out-of-business” or similar sales; sales by transient merchants, Christmas tree sales or other outdoor storage; any activity constituting a nuisance; or any illegal purposes.

Eligible Uses

Under the Small Business Improvement Grant, funding can only be used to reimburse business owners forcosts associated with making interior or exterior building improvements or purchasing and installing new furniture, fixtures and equipment. Home-based businesses may only receive reimbursement for new equipment purchases and/or installation. Home-based businesses are not eligible for reimbursement for renovation or improvement projects.

Grant Amounts

The minimum project cost is $5,000 and the maximum grant amount is $50,000.

Application Process

Online applications will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis based upon the date the NJEDA receives a completed application submission.

Fees

A $100 approval fee is required after the application has been reviewed and prior to execution of a grant agreement.

Additional Information

Comprehensive information about the Small Business Improvement Grant Program is available at https://www.njeda.gov/small-business-improvement-grant/.

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The Brownfield Impact Fund
Notice of Funding Availability

The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) hereby announces the availability of grant and loan funding under The Brownfield Impact Fund. This program is supported by funding received from a United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Brownfield Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) grant. The Brownfield Impact Fund is designed to provide grants to units of local government and non-profit entities and loans to units of local government, non-profit entities, and for-profit organizations. Funding received under this program is to be used for carrying out cleanup activities at brownfield sites, assisting with the return of these vacant and underutilized properties to public benefit.

This application will open on the NJEDA website on January 20, 2022, and remain open for as long as sufficient program funds are available. Funds will be awarded on a first come, first served basis upon receipt of the nonrefundable application fee, unless waived, and completed application with supporting documentation. The link to the online application for the Brownfields Impact Fund will be available on the NJEDA webpage: https://www.njeda.gov/brownfieldsimpactfund/

Overview

Brownfields are former commercial or industrial sites that are vacant or underutilized and are suspected or known to be contaminated. The remediation of brownfield properties can transform communities, providing benefits to the local and regional economies including fostering the development of medium, small, and microbusinesses, increasing employment opportunities, and increasing tax revenue. Brownfield remediation projects can also have an overall positive effect on the community such as increased safety, community pride, and health and wellness.

The Brownfields Impact Fund is an important program that will facilitate the redevelopment of brownfields by addressing funding gaps to make the remediation phase of the project financially viable, after which construction financing can be more readily obtained by the developer. This program can increase the economic impact of the State’s investment, reactivating long-stalled sites and encouraging job creation through remediation, redevelopment, and productive reuse of the property. An additional outcome of the program is to minimize the negative environmental impacts of developing current green spaces for commercial and industrial use. The Brownfields Impact Fund will accomplish this by focusing on the reuse of distressed, abandoned brownfields properties, which are often located in sought after areas within the community. Revitalization of brownfield properties allows for economic development in key locations which often have existing access to a potential workforce, infrastructure, and redevelopment opportunities in our communities.

Purpose

Under the Brownfields Impact Fund, the NJEDA will make grant funding available to non-profit organizations and units of local governments and will make low-interest loans available to for-profit organizations, non-profit organizations, and units of local government. For-profit organizations will not be eligible to apply for grant funding. Funds will be awarded on a first come, first serve basis upon receipt of a completed application.

These loans and grants will assist with cleanup and other pre-construction activities at brownfield sites throughout the state, particularly those within the States’ Community Collaborative Initiative (CCI) cities. Eligible uses of the loan and/or grant funding include remediation activities necessary to clean up the release or mitigate the threatened release of hazardous materials and other activities approved by the EPA and outlined in the program specifications.

Funding Amounts

The minimum loan amount will be $50,000, with a maximum loan amount of up to $350,000.

The minimum grant amount will be $25,000, with a maximum grant amount of up to $350,000.

Eligible entities may apply for both a loan and a grant under this program.

Funding Disbursement

Disbursements will be based on a reimbursement structure for actual eligible costs incurred. Funds are to be disbursed upon receipt and review of approved invoices.

Eligible Applicants

For the first three months (90 calendar days) of the program from the date the NJEDA begins accepting applications, eligibility will be limited to designated CCI communities.[1] After the 90-day period, the NJEDA will begin accepting applications from projects located in areas outside of the twelve defined CCI communities, subject to the availability of funding.

As part of eligibility for the Brownfields Impact Fund, entities applying for a loan must be able to demonstrate site control or a path to site control of a brownfield property at time of application. For non-profit organizations and units of local government applying for grant funding, the entity must own the brownfield property at the time of the application and retain ownership of the term of the grant.

Furthermore, all applicants for either the loan or grant must be accompanied by a letter of support from the mayor or, if the position of mayor does not exist, from the governing body of the municipality in which the brownfield site is located. The letter of support must indicate that the project aligns with the master land use plan or the local redevelopment plan. If there is no master plan or local redevelopment plan that includes the project site, the support letter must indicate that neither of these documents exist.

All applicants must have a redevelopment plan for the contaminated property.

Applicants must be in good standing with the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (as determined by each Department). If a compliance issue exists, the eligible entity may have an agreement with the respective department that includes a practical corrective action plan, as applicable. Applicants will also be required to provide a valid tax clearance certificate from the New Jersey Division of Taxation within the New Jersey Department of Treasury.

Entities applying to the Brownfield Impact Fund will be required to complete a legal questionnaire.

Exclusionary Criteria

Loans or grants cannot be provided to entities who are considered liable or potentially liable for the environmental contamination under the federal Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) § 107. Specifically, this program excludes:

individuals or entities responsible for, or individuals or entities who have common ownership or control with entities responsible for, any existing environmental contamination at the site, pursuant to CERCLA.

Eligible Uses

The Brownfield Impact Fund provides low-interest loans and/or grants for eligible brownfield cleanups.

Eligible Activities may include, but are not limited to:

Preparation of Remedial Action Workplans;
Remediation of hazardous substances that are part of a structure (to include lead-based paint and asbestos);
Construction of a site’s engineered remediation cap which could include foundations/roadways;
Demolition of structures to the extent that the demolition is integral to enabling access to contamination needing remediation (must be pre-approved by U. S. EPA);
Actions necessary to clean up the release or mitigate the threatened release of hazardous materials such as:
- provide fences, warning signs or other site control precautions;
- drainage controls;
- capping of contaminated soils;
- excavation, consolidation, or removal of highly contaminated soils;
- removal of containers that may contain hazardous substances;
- use of chemicals to retard the spread of hazardous substances;
- containment, treatment, disposal, or incineration of hazardous materials.
Purchase of environmental insurance;
Site monitoring, including sampling and analysis, required during the cleanup process;
Monitoring and data collection which are required as a component of the cleanup action (including payment of the annual NJDEP remediation permit fees, if approved by U. S. EPA);
Installation of engineering and/or institutional controls to fulfill cleanup requirements.
Others uses will be considered upon request from borrower / grantee, and approval by U. S. EPA.

Ineligible Activities include, but are not limited to:

Pre-cleanup assessment, identification, and characterization;
Cleanup of a naturally occurring substances;
Payment of a penalty or fine;
Construction, demolition, and development activities that are not integral to cleanup actions;
Public or private drinking water supplies that have deteriorated through ordinary use;
Monitoring and data collection necessary to apply for, or comply with, environmental permits under other federal and state laws, unless such a permit is required as a component of the cleanup action;
Other activities unrelated to the cleanup;
Properties already listed as Superfund sites;
Any cost incurred prior to loan or grant approval;
Any use not approved by NJEDA or U.S. EPA.

Approval Process

Potential applicants will be asked to complete a pre-application screening form prior to applying. The Brownfields & Sustainable Systems team will review applications for eligibility and appropriateness based on the U.S. EPA guidelines. The approval process will also include a technical review which will vet projects for readiness. The factors for the technical review include, but are not limited to, completion of the environmental assessment, existence of a draft remedial action workplan, engineer’s cost estimate for remediation, and permits.

Interest Rate and Terms

The NJEDA has structured these loans with an up to 20-year term and 2% interest rate (with an option for interest rate reductions to a floor of 1 percent based on the achievement of NJEDA’s policy goals). Principal and interest will be deferred until the end of Year 4. During this period, interest will accrue and capitalize.

Labor Compliance

The Davis-Bacon Act and New Jersey Prevailing Wage requirements, and associated U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) regulations, apply to all construction, alteration, and repair contracts and subcontracts awarded with funds provided under this program.

Fees

For the Brownfield Impact Fund, there will be a nonrefundable application fee for loans and grants of $1,000. For grant applications, the NJEDA will waive the application fee upon demonstration by the applicant that the imposition of the fee would impose an undue financial hardship. Undue financial hardship is determined based on NJEDA established objective criteria provided in the Program application and in accordance with program policies and procedures. The program policies and procedures include a provision that the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA) Municipal Revitalization Index (MRI), which demonstrates municipal distress, will be utilized to evaluate hardship for municipalities. The program policies and procedures also include a provision for non-profits that the hardship will be evaluated based on their annual operating budget.

For loans specifically, there will be a commitment fee of 0.875% of the loan amount, a closing fee of 0.875 percent of the loan amount. For any modifications needed on a loan, there will be a loan modification fee of $1,000.

Additional Information

Additional information on the Brownfields Impact Fund may be found on the NJEDA webpage: https://www.njeda.gov/brownfieldsimpactfund/

Click here for full PDF

NJ ZIP Pilot Voucher Program for Medium Duty Zero Emission Vehicle
Notice of Funding Availability

The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) is seeking applications from qualified applicants and vendors for a pilot vehicle voucher program to support the purchase of zero emission medium duty vehicles that operate in overburdened communities.

Name of Program: NJ ZIP Pilot Voucher Program for Medium Duty Zero Emission Vehicles

Purpose: The NJ ZIP Pilot Voucher Program had an initial budget of $15,000,000 for voucher awards through funding allocated from New Jersey’s Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) auction proceeds, as outlined in the RGGI Strategic Funding Plan, to be implemented and administered by the NJEDA. This fund was expanded by $9,250,000 in September 2021. This Notice is intended to announce the addition of $20,000,000 to this voucher award budget as of December 1, 2021 at 9AM Eastern. Applications for this funding can be filed through NJEDA’s online portal at www.njeda.gov/njzip (click “Apply Here” button) and will be reviewed on a first come, first serve basis until the funds are exhausted. In addition to this formal notice, announcement of this expansion was provided on November 10, 2021 as part of a press release issued by Governor Murphy’s Office and outlined on the NJ ZIP webpage as of November 18, 2021.

The goal of the program is to help New Jersey-based companies accelerate adoption of zero emission medium duty vehicles by reducing their upfront capital cost through the provision of vouchers. This adoption is anticipated to reduce emissions within the pilot communities, and to allow NJEDA to stimulate and assess market-readiness and determine and foster the economic impact of adoption moving forward. The pilot communities were previously defined as the greater Camden and greater Newark areas, with the addition of the greater New Brunswick area in September 2021; this Notice is also intended to announce the addition of the Greater Shore Area as an eligible community on December 1, 2021.

The pilot program is for commercial, industrial, or institutional organizations with vehicle operations in the greater Camden, greater Newark, greater New Brunswick, and/or greater Shore areas of New Jersey that are purchasing medium duty zero emission vehicles, and for the vendors of such products.

Eligibility Criteria: To be eligible, a business/institution purchasing a vehicle (applicant) must:

Be a commercial, industrial, or institutional organization in New Jersey. As defined in the Global Warming Solutions Fund, N.J.A.C. 7:27D-1.2, “institutional” means serving a non-profit or public purpose, such as a library, hospital, public school, institution of higher education, municipal utility, public recreation or cultural facility, or government entity. The term “government entity” includes local and municipal government entities, but for the purposes of this pilot, State government entities are not eligible.
If a for-profit business, be registered to conduct business in New Jersey (as demonstrated with a business registration certificate). Non-profit businesses or institutions may be required to provide a business registration certificate or other documentation, as applicable, to demonstrate their New Jersey operations and non-profit or institutional status.
Provide a Tax Clearance Certificate (with the application or prior to closing).
Be in good standing with the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development and New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.

To be eligible, applicant’s proposed vehicle(s) must be:

A new zero emission vehicle Class 2b – Class 6 (GVWR 8,501 lbs. – 26,000 lbs.) (ZEV), used for commercial, industrial, or institutional purposes. Retrofits and repowers of pre-owned vehicles are not eligible.
- All zero emission vehicles, defined as “a vehicle that emits no tailpipe pollutants from the onboard source of power, such as particulates, hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, ozone, lead, and various oxides of nitrogen,” are eligible for vouchers. This includes, but is not limited to, battery-electric (BEV) and hydrogen fuel cell-electric (FCEV) vehicles.
Purchased and registered within six months of receipt of voucher approval letter, with proof of such intent to purchase required for eligibility. An extension for up to an additional six months may be permitted on a case-by-case basis.
Not a subject of Volkswagen (VW) Settlement funding or any other State funding for the same vehicle(s).
Procured from a Vendor that meets program eligibility requirements (detailed in the following section).

Note: Vehicle scrappage is not mandated by this program, except in the case that the new vehicle is replacing a vehicle model year 2009 or earlier. For consistency with prior State programs, scrappage is defined within the DEP’s VW Settlement funded grant program as “rendering the vehicle inoperable and available for recycle; at a minimum, to cut a 3-inch hole in the engine block and disable the chassis by cutting the vehicle’s frame rails complete in half.” Vehicles that are not replacements (that is, ZEV purchased are for new use cases or to expand a fleet) or are replacing a model year 2010 or later do not have to comply with scrappage requirements. If the applicant is defined as a small business, they can receive a bonus incentive on a per-vehicle basis for scrappage.

To be eligible, vehicle manufacturer or seller (vendor) must:

Provide proof of a minimum of 12 months of experience selling or manufacturing eligible vehicles.
Be registered, or register to conduct business in New Jersey prior to executing an agreement with the NJEDA.
Be in good standing with the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development and New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.
Provide a Tax Clearance Certificate.
On a per-applicant basis, provide additional documentation, including, but not limited to:
- A link to vendor website that indicates eligible vehicles available for sale, and their related specifications;
- A specification sheet or, if custom vehicle, specification sheets for all major components, corroborating vehicle capabilities, charging/fueling needs, design appropriate to applicant’s planned use, and eligibility; and
- Timeline and process/plans by which vendor intends to comply with the terms of the voucher (for example, delivery of vehicle, development of charging/fueling plans, implementation of maintenance plan, etc.) prior to expiration of voucher.
Agree to accept the program’s voucher as a portion of the final vehicle payment, deducting the full voucher(s) amount from the upfront cost to the applicant.

Voucher amounts and expiration: To reserve voucher funding, eligible applicants can propose purchase of eligible zero emission vehicle(s) from an eligible vendor, indicating intent to purchase and register vehicle within six months, and to use vehicle as prescribed in program terms for the three-year compliance term. An extension for up to an additional six months to purchase and register the vehicle may be permitted and will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Voucher funding amounts are based on GVWR laid out below:

Vehicle GVWR	Vehicle Class	Voucher Amount
8,501 – 10,000 lbs.	Class 2b	$25,000
10,0001 – 14,000 lbs.	Class 3	$55,000
14,001 – 16,000 lbs.	Class 4	$75,000
16,001 – 19,500 lbs.	Class 5	$85,000
19,501 – 26,000 lbs.	Class 6	$100,000

Eligible applicants may receive increased per-vehicle voucher bonuses through documentation of any of the following:

Small business vehicle scrappage bonus: $2,000 per vehicle scrapped and replaced with a NJ ZIP voucher-funded ZEV.
Certified woman-, minority-, or veteran-owned business bonus: $4,000 per vehicle.
Small business bonus: A 25 percent increase of the base voucher amount per vehicle.
New Jersey manufacturing bonus: A 25 percent increase of base voucher amount per vehicle will be available if the vendor can formally document (for example, but not limited to, through price sheets and hourly rates) that 25 percent of the cost of the vehicle is spent in New Jersey on labor for vehicle design, assembly, and/or manufacturing or cost of components produced in New Jersey.
Driver readiness and education bonus: $2,000 per vehicle; available if the vendor provides two public training sessions (in-person, but may be web-based contingent on COVID-19 safety recommendations) per quarter in the year following applicant voucher(s) approval, for a total of eight sessions, including at least an overview of the technology, operation, and safety (associated with, for example, operation, charging, and/or maintenance) on two separate days, given by subject matter experts. In addition, vendor must provide a once per quarterly opportunity in the year following applicant voucher(s) approval for publicly available vehicle test drive or in-person vehicle viewing and demonstration within one or more of the selected pilot communities. In the case that the voucher funds have been disbursed prior to completion of this commitment, NJEDA will verify satisfactory completion of commitment and, if vendor does not complete its obligation, vendor may be required to refund the bonus funds to the voucher pool.

These bonuses may be stacked, with applicant eligible for multiple bonus criteria. The total funding per vehicle may equal but may not exceed the cost of the vehicle.

Maximum funding reserved for a single applicant business (as determined by EIN) through vouchers inclusive of any qualifying bonuses may not exceed $1,500,000, to ensure equitable distribution of resources.

Required Documentation: All applications to the NJ ZIP pilot program must include the following documentation:

Completed and signed online application (applicant and vendor);
Completed Legal Debarment Questionnaire (applicant and vendor);
Vehicle specification sheets (vendor);
Timeline and process/plans by which vendor intends to comply with the terms of the voucher (for example, delivery of vehicle, development of charging/fueling plans, implementation of maintenance plan, etc.) prior to expiration of voucher (vendor);
Details on the vehicle being replaced (applicant, if applicable);
Current New Jersey Tax Clearance Certificate listing New Jersey Economic Development Authority. All certificates listing another State agency will be rejected (applicant and vendor); and
If not demonstrated through New Jersey Tax Clearance Certificate, a New Jersey Business Registration Certificate or, if non-profit or institution, other documentation, as applicable, to demonstrate New Jersey operations and status.

And, as applicable, if applying for additional bonuses:

If applicant applying as a small business, employee information, as appropriate, for applicable company structure and staffing, for example, most recent New Jersey WR-30 (W-2 employees)
If applicant applying as a small business, most recent company tax filing; Federal 941 and either an NJ-CBT-100 (Schedule A), Form-1065, or Form-1040 (Schedule C), or whichever is applicable to the organizational form of business, showing the total gross receipts or sales for the year;
If applicant applying as a women-, minority-, or veteran-owned business, a copy of women-, minority-, and/or veteran-owned business New Jersey Certification;
If vehicle is manufactured in the State of New Jersey, price sheets for materials, hourly labor rates and payroll, Federal 941, formally documenting that 25 percent of the cost of the vehicle is spent in New Jersey on labor for vehicle design, assembly, and/or manufacturing or cost of components produced in New Jersey (vendor).
If applying for driver readiness and education bonus, proposed agendas, timelines, and methodology for public training sessions and vehicle demonstrations (vendor).

Application and Evaluation Process: Applications to the program from both applicants and vendors shall be submitted using NJEDA’s online application portal. The application portal has been open since April 6, 2021, until all funds are committed, on a first-come, first-served basis. The funding pool, initially $15,000,000, was expanded in September 2021 by $9,250,000, adding the greater New Brunswick area, and expanded as of December 1, 2021 by an additional $20,000,000, adding the greater Shore area. The portal for applicants and vendors is open simultaneously, allowing each to complete and submit their respective applications or portions of applications, including proof of eligibility. An applicant’s place in line will be determined based on the date and time that the completed application, inclusive of eligible vendor and vehicle details, is received by NJEDA, including any missing documentation.

NJEDA staff will review each application against the basic and bonus eligibility criteria outlined previously. All submitted applications will be reviewed for document completeness and eligibility on a rolling basis. Following the completeness review, applicants with missing documentation will receive an email notification from NJEDA to submit or re-submit any missing or incomplete required documentation by 5:00 P.M. on the 10th business day following the day on which it receives such notification (Extension Time).

After the applicant’s Extension Time, any application that does not include all of the documents specified or contain documents that have not been completed will be considered incomplete and will not be further reviewed for eligibility. Only complete applications will be reviewed for voucher eligibility.

Note: Due to COVID-19, it may take longer than usual for applicants to obtain certain New Jersey State documents, such as New Jersey Business Registration Certificate, Tax Clearance Certificate, and Women-, Minority-, or Veteran-Owned Business Certification. If an applicant has attempted to obtain the missing New Jersey State documents and has not received them by the extension time, the applicant may provide correspondence or receipts that demonstrate the attempt to obtain the missing documents to extend the extension time. The required missing documentation must be submitted before any approval of funds reservation will be made with respect to that applicant.

Once an application is reviewed and approved, the voucher funds are reserved for six months from the date of the voucher reservation approval letter. During this time, applicants and vendors will be required to execute an agreement outlining the voucher amount, terms, and conditions of the funding. Voucher funds will not be disbursed until the execution of such agreement by the applicant, vendor, and NJEDA. An extension for up to an additional six months to purchase and register the vehicle may be permitted and will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Once vehicle is delivered to and registered by the applicant, with documentation of same provided to NJEDA, and all other relevant program agreements are met, including vehicle scrappage, as applicable, applicant’s voucher(s) may be redeemed by vendor.

Post-closing, staff will conduct periodic audits to confirm that applicant and vendor self-certifications are accurate, and commitments are upheld. In such cases where the audit reveals that the self-certification was not accurate or commitments were not upheld and this impacts eligibility, NJEDA may require, as remedy, that the funds be returned from either the applicant or the vendor and/or may refer these organizations to the relevant State agency for further investigation. Any intentional inaccuracies by an applicant or vendor in the self-certifications or failure to uphold relevant commitments by applicant or vendor may be considered by the Board in disqualifying the applicant or vendor from future contracting with or financial assistance from the NJEDA.

Other Terms and Conditions: By accepting the voucher funding, applicants and vendors will also agree to the following terms:

Applicant will register the vehicle in the State of New Jersey for a minimum of the three initial, continuous years; and
- Annually operate at least 75 percent of vehicle miles traveled (VMT) in the State of New Jersey and annually operate 50 percent or more of VMT within either the greater Camden, greater Newark, greater New Brunswick, or greater Shore areas for a minimum of three continuous years from date of registration; or
- Annually operate at least 75 percent of vehicle miles traveled (VMT) in the State of New Jersey and have a registration address and domicile the vehicle within either the greater Camden, greater Newark, greater New Brunswick, or greater Shore areas for a minimum of three continuous years from date of registration.
Vendors will provide:
- Certification from the vendor that the vehicle complies with all applicable State and Federal requirements for operation, including the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) issued by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), found in Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR).
- Warranty to applicant for the eligible vehicle, indicating at least three years or 50,000 miles of coverage, whichever comes first, covering, parts (at a minimum, motor, drive train, and batteries, hydrogen fuel cells, etc.) and labor.
- In-State servicing plan for maintenance of applicant’s vehicle(s) aligned with industry norms and current best practices implemented by or before vehicle delivery.
- Charging or fueling needs and plans to address such needs, as applicable, to the technology, indicating if the applicant intends to use already available infrastructure (public or private) or including, if available, details on anticipated count, type, capacity, and location of chargers necessary for vehicle.

NJEDA’s right to audit and verify compliance with eligibility requirements (both for general eligibility and bonus-criteria eligibility) post-voucher redemption and agree to provide responses and data upon request to support such audits and verifications. For example, to verify vehicle miles traveled within the eligible pilot communities, NJEDA may request data such as, but not limited to, telematics, route maps, delivery histories, etc.
Permit the use by NJEDA of applicant, vendor, and vehicle data and information that is provided in the application and audit process, and that is not otherwise prohibited by law, for case studies and to support the development of future versions of this program, or future alternative programs.
Commit to displaying a visual indication on the commercial vehicle that it is a ZEV and that its purchase was subsidized through this program, meeting minimum standards or as materially provided by NJEDA (for example, a bumper sticker, placard, etc.).

Inquiries: NJEDA will host informational webinar(s) on the NJ ZIP Pilot Program and a recording of the webinar(s) will be posted on the NJEDA’s webpage. Information on registration for the webinar(s) can be found on NJEDA’s webpage.

Questions and inquiries concerning this notice of funding will be accepted through the application deadline and should be submitted via email to njzip@njeda.com. The subject line of the email should state: “NJZIP Notice of Funding Question – [Organization Name].” Phone calls and/or faxes shall not be accepted.

All questions received and answers provided in response to this notice of funding will be answered in the form of a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document, which will be posted and continuously updated on NJEDA’s website.

Confidentiality: Applications received will be reviewed only by staff of NJEDA, with good standing checks by sister agencies on applicants and vendors. All proposals submitted will be subject to requests for disclosure, including, but not limited to, a request pursuant to the Open Public Records Act (OPRA), N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1 et seq. If the applicant believes that information contained in its proposal merits confidential treatment pursuant to OPRA, any such purportedly confidential information submitted shall be specifically identified and marked by the applicant.

Click here for a PDF version

The NJEDA issued a press release on September 15, 2021 advising of the date on which applications for the Small Business Lease Grant would open.
Further information about the Small Business Lease Grant was posted to the website on August 19, 2021, and can be found here.

The Brownfield Impact Fund
Notice of Funding Availability

Overview

Purpose

Funding Amounts

The minimum loan amount will be $50,000, with a maximum loan amount of up to $350,000.

The minimum grant amount will be $25,000, with a maximum grant amount of up to $350,000.

Eligible entities may apply for both a loan and a grant under this program.

Funding Disbursement

Disbursements will be based on a reimbursement structure for actual eligible costs incurred. Funds are to be disbursed upon receipt and review of approved invoices.

Eligible Applicants

All applicants must have a redevelopment plan for the contaminated property.

Entities applying to the Brownfield Impact Fund will be required to complete a legal questionnaire.

Exclusionary Criteria

Eligible Uses

The Brownfield Impact Fund provides low-interest loans and/or grants for eligible brownfield cleanups.

Eligible Activities may include, but are not limited to:

Preparation of Remedial Action Workplans;
Remediation of hazardous substances that are part of a structure (to include lead-based paint and asbestos);
Construction of a site’s engineered remediation cap which could include foundations/roadways;
Demolition of structures to the extent that the demolition is integral to enabling access to contamination needing remediation (must be pre-approved by U. S. EPA);
Actions necessary to clean up the release or mitigate the threatened release of hazardous materials such as:
- provide fences, warning signs or other site control precautions;
- drainage controls;
- capping of contaminated soils;
- excavation, consolidation, or removal of highly contaminated soils;
- removal of containers that may contain hazardous substances;
- use of chemicals to retard the spread of hazardous substances;
- containment, treatment, disposal, or incineration of hazardous materials.
Purchase of environmental insurance;
Site monitoring, including sampling and analysis, required during the cleanup process;
Monitoring and data collection which are required as a component of the cleanup action (including payment of the annual NJDEP remediation permit fees, if approved by U. S. EPA);
Installation of engineering and/or institutional controls to fulfill cleanup requirements.
Others uses will be considered upon request from borrower / grantee, and approval by U. S. EPA.

Ineligible Activities include, but are not limited to:

Pre-cleanup assessment, identification, and characterization;
Cleanup of a naturally occurring substances;
Payment of a penalty or fine;
Construction, demolition, and development activities that are not integral to cleanup actions;
Public or private drinking water supplies that have deteriorated through ordinary use;
Monitoring and data collection necessary to apply for, or comply with, environmental permits under other federal and state laws, unless such a permit is required as a component of the cleanup action;
Other activities unrelated to the cleanup;
Properties already listed as Superfund sites;
Any cost incurred prior to loan or grant approval;
Any use not approved by NJEDA or U.S. EPA.

Approval Process

Interest Rate and Terms

Labor Compliance

Fees

Additional Information

Additional information on the Brownfields Impact Fund may be found on the NJEDA webpage: https://www.njeda.gov/brownfieldsimpactfund/

Click here for full PDF

NJ ZIP Pilot Voucher Program for Medium Duty Zero Emission Vehicle
Notice of Funding Availability

Name of Program: NJ ZIP Pilot Voucher Program for Medium Duty Zero Emission Vehicles

Eligibility Criteria: To be eligible, a business/institution purchasing a vehicle (applicant) must:

Be a commercial, industrial, or institutional organization in New Jersey. As defined in the Global Warming Solutions Fund, N.J.A.C. 7:27D-1.2, “institutional” means serving a non-profit or public purpose, such as a library, hospital, public school, institution of higher education, municipal utility, public recreation or cultural facility, or government entity. The term “government entity” includes local and municipal government entities, but for the purposes of this pilot, State government entities are not eligible.
If a for-profit business, be registered to conduct business in New Jersey (as demonstrated with a business registration certificate). Non-profit businesses or institutions may be required to provide a business registration certificate or other documentation, as applicable, to demonstrate their New Jersey operations and non-profit or institutional status.
Provide a Tax Clearance Certificate (with the application or prior to closing).
Be in good standing with the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development and New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.

To be eligible, applicant’s proposed vehicle(s) must be:

A new zero emission vehicle Class 2b – Class 6 (GVWR 8,501 lbs. – 26,000 lbs.) (ZEV), used for commercial, industrial, or institutional purposes. Retrofits and repowers of pre-owned vehicles are not eligible.
- All zero emission vehicles, defined as “a vehicle that emits no tailpipe pollutants from the onboard source of power, such as particulates, hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, ozone, lead, and various oxides of nitrogen,” are eligible for vouchers. This includes, but is not limited to, battery-electric (BEV) and hydrogen fuel cell-electric (FCEV) vehicles.
Purchased and registered within six months of receipt of voucher approval letter, with proof of such intent to purchase required for eligibility. An extension for up to an additional six months may be permitted on a case-by-case basis.
Not a subject of Volkswagen (VW) Settlement funding or any other State funding for the same vehicle(s).
Procured from a Vendor that meets program eligibility requirements (detailed in the following section).

To be eligible, vehicle manufacturer or seller (vendor) must:

Provide proof of a minimum of 12 months of experience selling or manufacturing eligible vehicles.
Be registered, or register to conduct business in New Jersey prior to executing an agreement with the NJEDA.
Be in good standing with the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development and New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.
Provide a Tax Clearance Certificate.
On a per-applicant basis, provide additional documentation, including, but not limited to:
- A link to vendor website that indicates eligible vehicles available for sale, and their related specifications;
- A specification sheet or, if custom vehicle, specification sheets for all major components, corroborating vehicle capabilities, charging/fueling needs, design appropriate to applicant’s planned use, and eligibility; and
- Timeline and process/plans by which vendor intends to comply with the terms of the voucher (for example, delivery of vehicle, development of charging/fueling plans, implementation of maintenance plan, etc.) prior to expiration of voucher.
Agree to accept the program’s voucher as a portion of the final vehicle payment, deducting the full voucher(s) amount from the upfront cost to the applicant.

Voucher funding amounts are based on GVWR laid out below:

Vehicle GVWR	Vehicle Class	Voucher Amount
8,501 – 10,000 lbs.	Class 2b	$25,000
10,0001 – 14,000 lbs.	Class 3	$55,000
14,001 – 16,000 lbs.	Class 4	$75,000
16,001 – 19,500 lbs.	Class 5	$85,000
19,501 – 26,000 lbs.	Class 6	$100,000

Eligible applicants may receive increased per-vehicle voucher bonuses through documentation of any of the following:

Small business vehicle scrappage bonus: $2,000 per vehicle scrapped and replaced with a NJ ZIP voucher-funded ZEV.
Certified woman-, minority-, or veteran-owned business bonus: $4,000 per vehicle.
Small business bonus: A 25 percent increase of the base voucher amount per vehicle.
New Jersey manufacturing bonus: A 25 percent increase of base voucher amount per vehicle will be available if the vendor can formally document (for example, but not limited to, through price sheets and hourly rates) that 25 percent of the cost of the vehicle is spent in New Jersey on labor for vehicle design, assembly, and/or manufacturing or cost of components produced in New Jersey.
Driver readiness and education bonus: $2,000 per vehicle; available if the vendor provides two public training sessions (in-person, but may be web-based contingent on COVID-19 safety recommendations) per quarter in the year following applicant voucher(s) approval, for a total of eight sessions, including at least an overview of the technology, operation, and safety (associated with, for example, operation, charging, and/or maintenance) on two separate days, given by subject matter experts. In addition, vendor must provide a once per quarterly opportunity in the year following applicant voucher(s) approval for publicly available vehicle test drive or in-person vehicle viewing and demonstration within one or more of the selected pilot communities. In the case that the voucher funds have been disbursed prior to completion of this commitment, NJEDA will verify satisfactory completion of commitment and, if vendor does not complete its obligation, vendor may be required to refund the bonus funds to the voucher pool.

These bonuses may be stacked, with applicant eligible for multiple bonus criteria. The total funding per vehicle may equal but may not exceed the cost of the vehicle.

Required Documentation: All applications to the NJ ZIP pilot program must include the following documentation:

Completed and signed online application (applicant and vendor);
Completed Legal Debarment Questionnaire (applicant and vendor);
Vehicle specification sheets (vendor);
Timeline and process/plans by which vendor intends to comply with the terms of the voucher (for example, delivery of vehicle, development of charging/fueling plans, implementation of maintenance plan, etc.) prior to expiration of voucher (vendor);
Details on the vehicle being replaced (applicant, if applicable);
Current New Jersey Tax Clearance Certificate listing New Jersey Economic Development Authority. All certificates listing another State agency will be rejected (applicant and vendor); and
If not demonstrated through New Jersey Tax Clearance Certificate, a New Jersey Business Registration Certificate or, if non-profit or institution, other documentation, as applicable, to demonstrate New Jersey operations and status.

And, as applicable, if applying for additional bonuses:

If applicant applying as a small business, employee information, as appropriate, for applicable company structure and staffing, for example, most recent New Jersey WR-30 (W-2 employees)
If applicant applying as a small business, most recent company tax filing; Federal 941 and either an NJ-CBT-100 (Schedule A), Form-1065, or Form-1040 (Schedule C), or whichever is applicable to the organizational form of business, showing the total gross receipts or sales for the year;
If applicant applying as a women-, minority-, or veteran-owned business, a copy of women-, minority-, and/or veteran-owned business New Jersey Certification;
If vehicle is manufactured in the State of New Jersey, price sheets for materials, hourly labor rates and payroll, Federal 941, formally documenting that 25 percent of the cost of the vehicle is spent in New Jersey on labor for vehicle design, assembly, and/or manufacturing or cost of components produced in New Jersey (vendor).
If applying for driver readiness and education bonus, proposed agendas, timelines, and methodology for public training sessions and vehicle demonstrations (vendor).

Other Terms and Conditions: By accepting the voucher funding, applicants and vendors will also agree to the following terms:

Applicant will register the vehicle in the State of New Jersey for a minimum of the three initial, continuous years; and
- Annually operate at least 75 percent of vehicle miles traveled (VMT) in the State of New Jersey and annually operate 50 percent or more of VMT within either the greater Camden, greater Newark, greater New Brunswick, or greater Shore areas for a minimum of three continuous years from date of registration; or
- Annually operate at least 75 percent of vehicle miles traveled (VMT) in the State of New Jersey and have a registration address and domicile the vehicle within either the greater Camden, greater Newark, greater New Brunswick, or greater Shore areas for a minimum of three continuous years from date of registration.

Vendors will provide:
- Certification from the vendor that the vehicle complies with all applicable State and Federal requirements for operation, including the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) issued by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), found in Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR).
- Warranty to applicant for the eligible vehicle, indicating at least three years or 50,000 miles of coverage, whichever comes first, covering, parts (at a minimum, motor, drive train, and batteries, hydrogen fuel cells, etc.) and labor.
- In-State servicing plan for maintenance of applicant’s vehicle(s) aligned with industry norms and current best practices implemented by or before vehicle delivery.
- Charging or fueling needs and plans to address such needs, as applicable, to the technology, indicating if the applicant intends to use already available infrastructure (public or private) or including, if available, details on anticipated count, type, capacity, and location of chargers necessary for vehicle.

NJEDA’s right to audit and verify compliance with eligibility requirements (both for general eligibility and bonus-criteria eligibility) post-voucher redemption and agree to provide responses and data upon request to support such audits and verifications. For example, to verify vehicle miles traveled within the eligible pilot communities, NJEDA may request data such as, but not limited to, telematics, route maps, delivery histories, etc.
Permit the use by NJEDA of applicant, vendor, and vehicle data and information that is provided in the application and audit process, and that is not otherwise prohibited by law, for case studies and to support the development of future versions of this program, or future alternative programs.
Commit to displaying a visual indication on the commercial vehicle that it is a ZEV and that its purchase was subsidized through this program, meeting minimum standards or as materially provided by NJEDA (for example, a bumper sticker, placard, etc.).

Click here for a PDF version

Small Business Improvement Grant Program
Notice of Funding Availability
Español (Spanish)

Purpose

Overview

Program Details

Eligibility

The Small Business Improvement Grant is reimbursement based. A business must have completed the capital improvements or purchased and/or installed the new furniture, fixtures and equipment.

To be eligible under the program, applicants must:

Rent or own and operate from the facility. Landlords are not eligible under this program.
Meet SBAs definition of Small Business based on the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS).
Have a total project cost of at least $5,000, and have incurred that cost on or after March 9, 2020, with the capital improvement work having commenced no more 2 years prior to date of application.
Provide a WR-30 or equivalent payroll documentation.
Provide a current tax clearance certificate prior to approval.
Be in good standing with the Department of Labor.
Be in good standing with the Department of Environmental Protection.
Certify at application that they are not in default with any other EDA or State assistance.
Certify that all the information and documentation provided to the NJEDA is true and accurate.

After execution of the grant agreement, the receiving entity must:

Commit to paying each full-time and part-time employee not less than $15 per hour or 120 percent of the minimum wage, whichever is higher. For tipped employees, the small business shall not pay less than 120 percent of the minimum wage. Businesses that receive grant funding of up to $25,000 must comply with these wage requirements for two years. Businesses that receive grant funding of greater than $25,000 must comply with these wage requirements for four years. Non-compliance with these wage requirements will result in repayment of the grant to the NJEDA.
Remain in the location for a period of time based on the amount of the grant. For grants of up to $25,000, the entity must remain in the location for at least two years. For grants of greater than $25,000, the entity must remain in the location for at least four years. Non-compliance with this requirement will result in repayment of the grant to the NJEDA.

Additional eligibility requirements may apply to ensure that the applicant is eligible. This may include, but is not limited to:

An acknowledgement and agreement that grant proceeds be applied to eligible uses only.
Projects with costs over $50,000 must comply with Green Building Standards for lighting and mechanical work.
Affirmative action standards apply to contractors with four or more employees.

Eligible Uses

Grant Amounts

The minimum project cost is $5,000 and the maximum grant amount is $50,000.

Application Process

Online applications will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis based upon the date the NJEDA receives a completed application submission.

Fees

A $100 approval fee is required after the application has been reviewed and prior to execution of a grant agreement.

Additional Information

Comprehensive information about the Small Business Improvement Grant Program is available at https://www.njeda.gov/small-business-improvement-grant/.

Click here for full PDF
Español (Spanish)

New Jersey Indoor Amusement Park Program
Notice of Funding Availability

The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (“NJEDA” or “Authority”) will begin accepting applications for the New Jersey Indoor Amusement Park Program on Wednesday, September 20, 2023, at 10:00AM EST. Applications will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis as of the date and time in which the Authority receives the application and will close on November 1, 2023, at 5:00PM EST. A non-refundable application fee of $1,000 is due at time of application for each product.

The application can be accessed at New Jersey Indoor (NJ) Amusement Park Grant Program – NJEDA.

Purpose

The New Jersey Indoor Amusement Park Grant Program (“Program”) will provide eligible applicants with up to $550,000 if the project is located in an Opportunity Zone eligible census tract and up to $500,000 for projects not located in an Opportunity Zone eligible census tract to offset losses incurred due to decreased business as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Background

This Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) modifies the prior NOFA posted on June 8, 2023 here: Public Information – NJEDA.

As COVID-19 restrictions prohibited or restricted public gatherings, this public safety measure resulted in a significant reduction in indoor amusement park and arcade attendance and usage, leading to significant loss of revenue to establishments that rely on admission fees to support operations. On June 30, 2022, Governor Murphy signed S2023, the Fiscal Year 2023 Appropriations Act (“FY2023 Act”), into law as P.L. 2022, c.49. The FY2023 Act allocates significant State funding for numerous strategic economic development investments to support key industries, continue to bolster

recovery for New Jersey (“NJ”) businesses, and assist with statewide growth. One of the specific strategic reinvestments in the FY2023 Act is an appropriation of $5 million to support NJ indoor amusement parks impacted by COVID-19. This funding is specific to NJ businesses primarily engaged in activities under specific North American Industry Classification System (“NAICS”) codes 713110 – Amusement and Theme Parks or 713120 – Amusement Arcades as of April 1, 2020. This budget appropriation allows NJEDA to create and administer a COVID-specific non-competitive grant product for this specific industry.

Grant Amounts and Eligible Uses

Grant awards will be calculated by the amount of decrease in the applicant’s self-declared gross revenue from April 1, 2019, to March 31, 2020 and April 1, 2020 to March 31, 2021, or $500,000, whichever is less. If the applicant is located in an Opportunity Zone eligible census tract, the award cap will be $550,000. However, if there are more eligible applicants than anticipated with unmet needs greater than the total available funding, the amount provided to each eligible applicant will be reduced such that all applicants receive a share of the funding pool proportional to their eligible unmet need.

Awards will be based purely on the reduction of the applicant-provided gross revenue demonstrated by a minimum 50 percent reduction in gross revenue from indoor operations for the 12-month period beginning April 1, 2019. Applicants are allowed to receive one grant award per EIN, with a minimum award of $5,000.00 per EIN.

Applicants that are approved for an award will enter into a grant agreement with NJEDA that the uses of the grant proceeds are limited to support the applicant’s working capital costs only. The grant cannot be used for any other use. Specific ineligible uses may include, but are not limited to, any construction work or contract labor costs, purchase of land, improvements to their facility, and any equipment purchases that exceed costs of $1,999.99.

Eligibility

Eligible applicants must meet the following criteria to be eligible for this grant:

– Must be a for profit entity located in NJ.

– Primarily engaged in business activities described in NAICS Code 713110 or 713120, (as those codes read on April 1, 2020) Applicants must provide federal tax returns for 2019, 2020, 2021, and current tax return.

– Demonstrate a minimum 50 percent reduction in indoor gross revenue for the 12-month period beginning April 1, 2019 to March 31, 2020 and April 1, 2020 to March 31, 2021 as certified by applicant at time of application.

– Registered to do business in NJ and in good standing with the NJ Division of Taxation, as evidenced by a current NJ Tax Clearance Certificate prior to approval.

– Must be in good standing at time of approval with the NJ Department of Labor, NJ Department of Environmental Protection and NJ EDA.

– Certify at time of application that their business operation has at least a portion that is indoors in the NJ commercial space, and their business is currently open and operating.

– NJ formation documentation that verifies the applicant was formed on or prior to March 9, 2020.

– Ineligible applicants: waterparks that have only outdoor operations, activities, rides, or services. An indoor component of operations, rides, activities, or services must be within the applicant’s commercial space.

Application Submission and Review Process

Applications for this Program will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis, based on the date and time in which the Authority receives the application for a period of at least 30 days, or until funds are exhausted, whichever is first. All applications will be reviewed for completeness in the order that they are received by the Authority. At the sole discretion of the Authority, staff may ask for any necessary clarifications of the information provided in the application including, but not limited to, responses, documentation, and attachments . Applicants will be given 5 business days to respond to cure any deficiencies. If at the end of the cure period the applicant is non-responsive, the application will be deemed withdrawn. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis. Limit of one grant award per EIN.

Fees:

Applicants for the Program will be charged a $1,000 at the time of application, as required for pilot products under the Authority’s fee rules.

Additional information may be found at New Jersey Indoor (NJ) Amusement Park Grant Program – NJEDA.

Questions concerning this Notice of Funding Availability should be submitted via email to customercare@njeda.gov.

The NJEDA is subject to State and Federal statutes including but not limited to the following which may impact affiliates: N.J.S.A. 52:32-60.1, et seq., which prevents New Jersey government entities from certain dealings with businesses on the Treasury list of those engaged in prohibited activities in Belarus or Russia; N.J.S.A. 24:6I-49 which provides that the following are not eligible for most State or local economic incentives (a) a person or entity issued a license to operate as a cannabis cultivator, manufacturer, wholesaler, distributor, retailer, or delivery service, or that employs a certified personal use cannabis handler to perform work for or on behalf of a cannabis establishment, distributor, or delivery service; and (b) a property owner, developer, or operator of a project to be used, in whole or in part, by or to benefit a cannabis cultivator, manufacturer, wholesaler, distributor, retailer, or delivery service, or to employ a certified personal use cannabis handler to perform work for or on behalf of a cannabis establishment, distributor, or delivery service; and N.J.S.A. 52:13D-12, et seq., which prohibits a member of the Legislature or a State officer or employee or their partners or a corporation in which they owns or controls more than 1% of the stock to undertake or execute any contract, agreement, sale, or purchase of $25.00 or more, made, entered into, awarded or granted by any State agency, with certain limited exceptions.

Click here for full PDF

Construction Inflation Fund – Pilot Grant Program
Notice of Funding Availability

The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (“NJEDA” or “Authority”) will begin accepting applications for the Construction Inflation Fund (“Fund”) Pilot Grant Program on August 17, 2023 at 10:00am EST. Applications must be submitted by October 19, 2023 at 5:00pm. $10 million is available through a competitive application process to eligible small businesses for real estate development projects that have experienced increased construction costs and project funding gaps resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. Following the closure of the application period, applications will be evaluated for completeness and eligibility and then scored by a committee of NJEDA staff. The highest scoring applications will be presented to the NJEDA Board for approval.

The application can be accessed online at: Construction Inflation Fund – NJEDA.

español (Spanish)
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Purpose

The Fund is established to provide funding to eligible applicants for real estate development projects that have experienced increased construction costs and project funding gaps resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. Eligible real estate projects include commercial/office, manufacturing, and mixed-use projects which are sized to have at least $5 million of total project costs.

Overview

The American Rescue Plan (ARP), which was signed into law by President Joe Biden on March 11, 2021, is a $1.9 trillion economic stimulus bill designed to rebuild and restart the American economy in the wake of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) public health emergency by investing in families, communities, and small businesses. Through the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF), the ARP delivered $350 billion to state, local, and tribal governments to support their response to, and recovery from COVID-19.

In June 2022 the Murphy Administration and the New Jersey Legislature made $10 million of Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Funds (CSFRF) available to NJEDA through the State Fiscal Year 2023 Appropriation Act (“Act”) for “Gap Financing – Real Estate Projects Financing.” Accordingly, to mitigate the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic the Fund is established as a pilot program which will provide gap financing and assist real estate development projects that have increased construction costs and project funding gaps resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. As the New Jersey economy continues to rebound in the wake of COVID-19, catalytic investment is essential for supporting local economies and promoting strong, resilient, and equitable economic recoveries.

In accordance with U.S. Treasury’s Final Rule, the Fund is established under Eligibility Category 6 (EC 6). Under federal guidelines, all program funding must be obligated by December 31, 2024, and must be expended by December 31, 2026, therefore project readiness is a key funding consideration and evidence of all other funding sources must be provided with the project application.

Funding

The approved purpose of the Construction Inflation Fund Pilot Grant Program’s SLFRF funds is for Revenue Replacement (Category 6) in accordance with U.S. Treasury’s Final Rule.

The Fund is established as a $10 million competitive grant program to mitigate the negative economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Fund will provide a minimum grant of $500,000 and a maximum grant of $5,000,000 per approved project. Grant funding cannot exceed 20% of total project costs.

Grant funding will be provided based on demonstrated pandemic related cost increase and funding gap including review of construction contract wage requirements. Grant funding amounts will be determined following cost reasonableness and a Duplication of Benefits review.

A maximum of one grant will be awarded per real estate developer regardless of having different special purpose entities. NJEDA staff will review for common management or construction responsibilities between applicants.

Eligibility

Eligible applicants are small businesses which are undertaking an eligible real estate project in New Jersey that experienced a COVID-19 related funding gap.

As defined in the CSFRF final rules (31 CFR 35.3), a small business is a business concern or other organization that:

Has no more than 500 employees or, if applicable, the size standard in number of employees established by the Administrator of the Small Business Administration for the industry in which the business concern or organization operates, and
Is a small business concern as defined in section 3 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 632)

Eligible projects for the Fund are limited to the following types of real estate projects (substantial rehabilitation and/or new construction):

Commercial (including office)
Manufacturing
Mixed-use developments; any residential portion must comply with the 20% reservation for low- and moderate-income households required by N.J.S.A. 52:27D-329.9(b)

Additional project eligibility requirements for the Fund include:

Projects consisting of 100% warehouse or 100% retail are ineligible for funding; however, warehouse space may be included as an ancillary project use in direct support of the project’s eligible primary use;
Projects must be sized to have at least $5 million of total project costs;
Developer must agree to 50% developer fee deferral;
All projects shall be subject to prevailing wage law and compliance with other labor standards requirements;
Projects that have started construction prior to application may include expenses as eligible covered costs only if either New Jersey state prevailing wage or federal Davis-Bacon wage requirements were incorporated into the construction contract prior to construction start, or the project has been paying either prevailing wage or Davis-Bacon wage rates as applicable.

Additional applicant requirements:

Must be in substantial good standing with the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development and the NJ Department of Environmental Protection at the time of application to be eligible. A current tax clearance certificate must be provided prior to approval to demonstrate the applicant is in substantial good standing with the NJ Division of Taxation, unless the applicant is not required to register with the Division of Taxation.
Applicants will be reviewed against the Federal System for Award Management to ensure the entity is not debarred.

Please see “Additional Information” section for discussion of State and Federal statutory prohibitions that NJEDA is subject to (i.e. Russia/Belarus, cannabis related activities, and State Legislator / Officer/employees or their partners) that may impact affiliates.

Eligible Uses

Under the Construction Inflation Fund, funding can only be used for the approved real estate development project costs based on application, NJEDA review, and funding grant agreement. Grants will be used for prospective real estate development project hard and soft costs, where no more than 20% of a grant can be used to support project development soft costs.

Funding cannot be used for payment of developer fees.

Application Submission and Review Process (including Scoring)

Applications submitted after the application deadline of October 19, 2023 will not be accepted or reviewed.

Applicant’s organizational documentation confirming eligibility as small business;
Experience and capacity of the applicant and development team that demonstrates implementation of projects of a similar size and scope;
Project overview and description;
Narrative describing COVID-19 impact and pandemic related cost increases;
Project budgets (Sources & Uses line-item detail), pro forma/cashflow projections, and evidence of financing;
Construction contract and related documents such as project cost breakdown comparisons, and evidence of efforts to reduce costs, such as value engineering efforts;
Narrative and documentation of local review and approvals/permits;
Project development timeline.

After the close of the application period, NJEDA staff will review all applications for completeness. At the sole discretion of the Authority, NJEDA staff may ask for any necessary clarifications to the application, including but not limited to responses, documentation, and attachments. Applicants will be given 10 business days to respond to cure any deficiencies. If at the end of the cure period the applicant is non-responsive, the application will not be advancing to be scored and will be deemed withdrawn.

Applications deemed complete will be reviewed and scored by the evaluation scoring committee that will be comprised of NJEDA staff. Applications will be scored on a scale of 0 – 104 points, with award recommendations limited to applications that meet or exceed the minimum score requirement of 65 points.

As outlined in the Construction Inflation Fund Program specifications, scoring factors and points will include:

Project proposal (community and economic growth impact and benefits of the proposed project) (up to 25 pts)
Project Financial Feasibility and Cost Effectiveness (up to 15 pts)
Readiness to proceed (up to 35 pts)
Experience & capacity of applicant/development team (up to 20 pts)
Efforts to reduce costs (up to 5 pts)
Bonus points for ** (up to 4 pts)
- ** location within low- or moderate-income community or qualified census tract (per SLFRF rules); participation by NJ certified Women, Minority, Veteran Business Enterprises (MWVBE)

Applications will be recommended to the Board for award approval starting with the highest scored application until all program funding is awarded. If all program funds are not awarded during the initial application period, then applications will be reopened on a rolling basis and grants will be awarded on a first come, first served basis to eligible applicants that meet the minimum score of 65 points.

All eligible applications will proceed to the Board for approvals, and all applications which have not been declined due to non-discretionary reasons will also proceed to the Board.

Grant Funding Disbursements

Once a project is approved for funding, NJEDA will enter into a grant agreement with the applicant detailing the project to be funded, eligible project costs, the amount of grant funding, and all financial programmatic requirements. The grant agreement will also include reporting, compliance, and other requirements per the US Treasury’s Compliance and Reporting Guidance for ARP SLFRF funding awards. Applicants will be responsible for assuring the compliance of the project with all terms and conditions of the application, the Fund program, and federal ARP SLFRF funding requirements.

The Authority will disburse grants only to the applicant. The grant funds will be disbursed either incrementally as eligible project expenses are incurred and prorated with other funding sources with the NJEDA’s standard construction retainage withheld until project completion or grant funds may be disbursed in coordination with the other lender’s disbursement process.

Funding disbursement requests must be evidenced by documentation supporting that the expenses were incurred, work has been performed in accordance with prevailing wage and labor standards compliance requirements, and work was done consistent with project approval and eligible uses of program funding.

Final payment of grant funds will be made upon NJEDA’s inspection of completed project and receipt of either temporary certificate of occupancy or certificate of occupancy as determined by the NJEDA.

Fees

A fee of $1,000 is due at time of application submission.

Additional Information

Comprehensive information about the Construction Inflation Fund is available at

Construction Inflation Fund – NJEDA

Questions concerning this Notice of Funding Availability should be submitted to realestateinfo@njeda.com.

The NJEDA is subject to State and Federal statutes including but not limited to the following which may impact affiliates: N.J.S.A. 52:32-60.1, et seq., which prevents the New Jersey government entities from certain dealings with businesses on the Treasury list of those engaged in prohibited activities in Belarus or Russia; N.J.S.A. 24:6I-49 which provides that the following are not eligible for most State or local economic incentives (a) a person or entity issued a license to operate as a cannabis cultivator, manufacturer, wholesaler, distributor, retailer, or delivery service, or that employs a certified personal use cannabis handler to perform work for or on behalf of a cannabis establishment, distributor, or delivery service; and (b) a property owner, developer, or operator of a project to be used, in whole or in part, by or to benefit a cannabis cultivator, manufacturer, wholesaler, distributor, retailer, or delivery service, or to employ a certified personal use cannabis handler to perform work for or on behalf of a cannabis establishment, distributor, or delivery service; and N.J.S.A. 52:13D-12, et seq., which prohibits a member of the Legislature or a State officer or employee or their partners or a corporation in which they owns or controls more than 1% of the stock to undertake or execute any contract, agreement, sale, or purchase of $25.00 or more, made, entered into, awarded or granted by any State agency, with certain limited exceptions.

New Jersey Commission on Science, Innovation and Technology
The Food and Agriculture Research & Development Pilot Seed Grant Program
Notice of Funding Availability

The New Jersey Commission on Science, Innovation and Technology (“CSIT”) expects to launch an online application for the Food and Agriculture Research & Development Pilot Seed Grant Program at 9am am on June 5, 2023 at www.njeda.com/csit. Application will be open through July, 14 2023 at 5 pm. The Food and Agriculture Research & Development Pilot Seed Grant Program has a total budget of $750,000 for grant awards of up to $75,000 each. This is a competitive grant. No application, transaction, or termination fees will be collected by CSIT for this program. Decisions on this grant award are expected to be made by 4^th Quarter of 2023.

Purpose

The Food and Agriculture Research & Development Pilot Seed Grant Program (“Program”) supports innovation from researchers and entrepreneurs focused on developing technology and other solutions to addressing food insecurity in New Jersey (“NJ”). The Program will engage early-stage innovation-based companies to accelerate research and development of technologies into commercially viable products and services that address food security needs of communities across NJ. The Program seeks to identify and implement ways to increase access to nutritious foods and develop new approaches to alleviate food deserts. The Program supports the development of innovative technologies within the target areas listed below.

The Program is focused on companies conducting research and development or testing technologies in the following target areas:

Life Sciences (e.g., Next generation crop, soil health, indoor agriculture, and aquaculture)
Technology (e.g., Digital services and platform development for improved food access, digital services to reduce food waste, digital platform to access emergency food and other services necessary for food security)
Food and Beverage (Non-retail) (e.g., Improved connection between urban food systems and rural and urban communities to improve food access, increased capacity, and distribution of farm fresh products)
Transportation and Logistics (e.g., online platform designed to facilitate business-to-business connections with local food systems to address disruptions to the local food supply, innovative food delivery models with reduced carbon footprint)

All applicants for the Program must provide proof of concept for their project proposed for funding.

Overview

The total funding of $750,000 for the Program comes from New Jersey Economic Development Authority’s (“NJEDA”) Fiscal Year 2022 (“FY2022”) appropriations for “Food and Agriculture Innovation” via a Memorandum of Understanding between NJEDA and CSIT. The Program will be implemented by CSIT.

The Program will award grants of up to $75,000 to support ten (10) NJ-based early-stage innovation-based companies that have the potential to impact Food and Agriculture outcomes.

Program Details

Grants will be awarded on a competitive basis, with awards going to the highest scoring applicants, provided the minimum score is met.

Applicants can only submit one (1) application for this grant. Multiple applications from the same company will NOT be accepted. If an applicant submits two applications, they must select which application moves forward. Applicants that apply to this Program are not eligible to apply for the Round 2 Catalyst Research and Development Pilot Seed Grant Program

Each grant will be valid for a period of twelve (12) months, effective the from date of the execution of the grant agreement. Any unused approved grant amounts will be cancelled after the twelve (12) month period and returned to the CSIT program budget for future use. An extension for up to an additional three (3) months may be permitted at the discretion of CSIT.

Please note that CSIT grant applicants may adjust and resubmit grant budgets by the Program resubmission deadline if;

Submitted budget at the time of application exceed the approved grant amount
Submitted budget at the time of application includes ineligible budgetary items as stated in notice of funding
Submitted budget at the time of application exceeds the 30% marketing threshold as stated in the notice of funding
Submitted budget at the time of application does not include printed name of preparer and date

Applications with incorrect budgets that are not revised by the resubmission deadline will be declined.

Eligibility

Each applicant to the Program must meet the following eligibility criteria at the time of application and maintain eligibility during the entire review period in order to be eligible for an award:

Be authorized and in good standing to conduct business in NJ as evidenced by a current NJ tax clearance certificate addressed to CSIT. All certificates listing another state agency will be rejected.
Have no more than twenty-five (25) full-time equivalent (“FTE”) workers (FTE calculated on a 35-hour work week) at time of application.
Have a minimum of one (1) full time worker. A worker may be the founder and may be paid or unpaid.
50% or more of the cumulative hours worked by all workers, founders, and contractors must be conducted in NJ (calculated on an FTE basis – 35 hrs. per week).
Have less than or equal to two million dollars ($2,000,000) in 2022 calendar year sales revenue (excluding grant revenue).

Eligible Uses

The grant funding can be utilized for project research and development activities.

Ineligible Uses

The following expense categories are ineligible for funding by this grant:

Direct services to individuals or organizations
Manufacturing of products for sale or commercial use
Real estate rental expenses
Patient clinical trial expenses
Construction costs
Travel, entertainment, and other similar expenses
Allocations of general overhead expenses
Any expenditures incurred before the “Effective date”, the date representing the last date of execution of the grant agreement by the respective parties
Any expenses for equipment and materials that applicant does not use for the project during the project period
Fees related to conferences not associated with the project

In addition, no more than 30% of the budget proposed for the Project, in the aggregate, may be spent on:

Marketing and customer discovery specific to the innovation
IP patent prosecution and licensing-related expenses
Conference registration fees

Disbursement of funds

First disbursement will equal 80% of grant award on the effective date of the grant agreement. Second disbursement of 20% after Final Report is submitted.

Application Process

All applications to the Program must include the following documentation:

Completed online application
Evidence that proof of concept has been achieved for the project. Submit one of the following:
- Description of the proof-of-concept results
- Published paper outlining results achieved Successful completion of a federal SBIR/STTR grant or contract related to the project
- Documentation from a university tech transfer office if the project relates to technology that has been developed at a university
Budget and Milestone Proposals (Excel template embedded within online application)
Employee information as appropriate for applicable company structure and staffing -i.e. most recent NJ WR-30 (W2 employees) or 1099 (contractors), Shareholder Agreement or K-1, or offer letters. Please note that if a Professional Employment Organization (“PEO”) is utilized, the applicant must submit confirmation of PEO-A form issued by the NJ Department of Labor (“DOL”), These confirmations are issued on an annual basis and are valid for a year. See https://www.nj.gov/labor/ea/employer-services/leasing-companies/ for additional information on PEOs.
Summary of most recent internal payroll (Q4 2021 or Q1 2022) indicating each employee name and number of hours worked per week.
Most recent company tax filing: Federal 941 and either an NJ-CBT-100 (Schedule A), Form-1065 or Form -1040 (Schedule C) or whichever is applicable to the organizational form of the business, showing the total Gross Receipts or Sales for the year.
Current NJ tax clearance certificate addressed to CSIT Tax clearance must be dated May 15, 2023 or after. https://www16.state.nj.us/NJ_PREMIER_EBIZ/jsp/home.jsp
DUE No Later Than October 6, 2023 or application will be declined.
If applicable, copy of Women and/or Minority owned business NJ certification https://www.njportal.com/DOR/SBERegistry/Default/
DUE No Later Than October 6, 2023 or relevant bonus points will not be awarded.
If applicable, copy of Veteran owned business NJ certification
DUE No Later Than October 6, 2023 or relevant bonus points will not be awarded.
If applicable, a copy of Executed University License Agreement with University. DUE No Later Than October 6, 2023 or relevant bonus points will not be awarded.
Complete Application Certification
Completed CSIT Legal Debarment Questionnaire
For companies with a Dba “doing business as”, we require a Proof of registration for “doing business as”.

The following steps detail the application submission process:

A document completeness review will be done as applications are received
Applicants with missing documentation will be notified and given 10 business days to submit missing documents. If the application remains incomplete by the resubmission deadline, it will be declined.
Only complete applications will be evaluated and scored. Applicants must submit the NJ tax clearance certificate by the start of the application scoring period; otherwise, the application will be declined. For any bonus points category, if the documentation is not received by the application scoring period, bonus points will not be applied.
Denied applications may appeal CSIT’s declination, provided they do so within the timeframe provided in CSIT’s declination letter. Appeals must be written and include an explanation as to how the applicant has met the all eligibility criteria.

Scoring

An evaluation committee comprised of CSIT and NJEDA staff will review and assign a score to each application, after receiving qualitative input from Subject Matter Experts (“SME”s). As part of the process, all applicants with complete applications will be invited, but are not required, to make a brief presentation about their project and submit it to the evaluation committee and SMEs.

All applicants must achieve a minimum score of 70 in the following criteria to be eligible for a grant.

Innovation (up to 30 points)
Market opportunity (up to 10 points)
Implementation plan – budget and milestones (up to 20 points)
Go-to-market strategy (up to 10 points)
Economic and community impact (up to10 points)
Team (up to 20 points)

Bonus Points – Bonus points will be awarded to applicants that achieve the minimum score and are also:

A company using technology initially developed at a NJ university, under an executed license agreement with such university (15 points)
NJ certified women-owned business (10 points)
NJ certified minority-owned business (10 points)
NJ certified veteran – owned business (10 points)
Primary place of business/research & development located within an opportunity zone eligible census tract or government restricted municipality (5 points)
Has not previously received a CSIT grant or voucher (10 points)

Grants will be awarded to applicants with the highest overall scores, provided the minimum score is met, until program funds are expended.

Board Approval

The CSIT Program Committee will review scored applications and make funding recommendations to the CSIT board. The CSIT Board will make final decision on grant award winners.

Fees

No application, transaction, or termination fees will be collected by CSIT for this program.

Additional Information

Other Terms & Conditions

For two years from the date of the grant agreement, workers and consultants who continue working on the project must conduct 50% of their work in a NJ location. Failure to comply will trigger a requirement that the applicant make full re-payment of the grant award.

All grant awardees must report economic impact data to CSIT upon the completion of the project and an additional two years after project completion by submitting an “Economic Impact Questionnaire” provided by CSIT.

All grant awardees are encouraged to commit to participate in one (1) in-person interim site visits from the CSIT/EDA team for update on project.

All grant awardees are encouraged to commit to participate in future CSIT/NJEDA alumni activities, such as serving as a panel member or participating in interviews about program experience.

Confidentiality

Applications received will be reviewed only by staff of CSIT and NJEDA and SMEs. SMEs will execute NDAs prior to reviewing the application. All applications submitted will be subject to requests for disclosure, including but not limited to requests pursuant to the Open Public Records Act (“OPRA”) N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1 et seq. If the applicant believes that information contained in its proposal merits confidential treatment pursuant to OPRA, any such purportedly confidential information submitted to CSIT must be specifically identified and marked by the applicant as such.

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Activation, Revitalization, and Transformation Program

Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA)

The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (“NJEDA” or “Authority”) will begin accepting applications for the Activation, Revitalization, and Transformation Program on Tuesday, May 30^th, 2023, at 10:00AM EST. Applications will be accepted during a competitive window and will close on Tuesday, August 22^nd, 2023 at 5PM EST. A non-refundable application fee of $1,000 is due at time of application for each product. Not-for-profit entities may apply for an undue hardship fee waiver. Undue hardship fee waiver can be demonstrated through the nonprofit’s most recent 990 form if Revenue Less Expenses (line 19) is less than or equal to $500,000 and Net Assets/Fund Balances (line 22) is less than or equal to $1,000,000.

The application can be accessed at Activation, Revitalization, and Transformation (ART) Program – NJEDA.

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Purpose:

The Activation, Revitalization, and Transformation Program (“ART Program”) is a competitive grant program that will proactively deploy $10 million in American Rescue Plan State and Local Fiscal Recovery (SLFRF) Funds to address the impacts of COVID-19.

Administered by the NJEDA, the ART Program provides a total funding source of $10 million SLFRF funding from two separate funding sources. The funding will be split between two eligible cities, Atlantic City and Newark.

Background:

As outlined by Governor Murphy’s Fiscal Year 2023 Budget in Brief, and approved by the New Jersey Joint Budget Oversight Committee, five million dollars has been appropriated to the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority for projects in Atlantic City. The remaining five million dollars has been appropriated to NJEDA to support projects that mitigate the economic impact of COVID-19 in commuter hub cities.

After the transition to a remote workforce in March of 2020, economic support for catalytic developments that increase and retain commuter foot-traffic is essential to support municipalities most impacted by workforce losses due to remote work. The remaining $5 million will be dedicated to one single municipality most impacted by the COVID-19 public health emergency on the commuter base. The analysis looked at the municipality with the largest total difference between the residential population and the total daytime population. The City of Newark meets this criterion as per the data collected in 2015 – 2019 U.S. Census American Community Survey and as analyzed by the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs. The analysis states that Newark has a total daytime population of 401,712; residential population of 281,054 with a daytime population increase of 120,658. This data shows the largest total daytime population increase of all New Jersey municipalities.

The goal of the ART Program is to partner with local entities to proactively address the negative economic impacts of the pandemic by investing in projects that create the environment necessary to attract and retain residents and talent, enable business creation and attractions, enhance downtown vitality, and help local governments avoid future budget crises.

Funding:

The approved purpose of the ART Program’s SLFRF funds is Revenue Replacement (Category 6) in accordance with U.S. Treasury’s Final Rule.

This pilot program will support two products for both cities, Atlantic City and Newark: (1) Real Estate Rehabilitation and Development and (2) Public Space Activation. Funding can be fungible between the two products based on demand of each product. The minimum award request for both the Real Estate Rehabilitation and Development product and the Public Space Activation product is $250,000. The maximum award for the Real Estate Rehabilitation product is $3,500,000 and the maximum award for the Public Space product is $1,500,000. All applicants that receive ART Program funding are required to submit quarterly reports to demonstrate compliance to NJEDA.

Pursuant to federal program guidelines, all ART funds must be obligated by December 31, 2024, and must be expended by December 31, 2026.

Two ART Program Products:

Product 1) – Real Estate Rehabilitation and Development

Under the ART Program’s Real Estate Rehabilitation and Development grant product, up to seventy percent (70%) of total program funding (approximately $3.5 M in each municipality) will support project-specific hard and soft costs that revitalize commercial corridors and incentivize catalytic development.

Product 2) – Public Space Activation

Under the ART Program’s Public Space Activation grant product, thirty percent (30%) of total program funding (approximately $1.5 million in each municipality) can support the creation of public space activation initiatives.

Eligibility

In order for projects to be eligible for ART Program funding, all proposals must demonstrate how the proposed expenditure will mitigate the impact of COVID-19 in either Newark or Atlantic City. As part of the application, each project will be required to submit a narrative explicitly stating the harm that the proposed project will address, and how this expenditure will increase the economic resiliency and vitality of the commercial corridor as we transition from pandemic to endemic. All applicants must certify at time of application of their existing project costs and their financial need.

Projects must be located in either Atlantic City or Newark and within eligible areas within each city.

Atlantic City- Atlantic City projects in commercial corridor is defined as a project located in the boundaries of the City of Atlantic City that is within 1 ½ (1.5) miles radius of an active NJ Transit rail station,
Newark- Newark projects in a commercial corridor is defined as a project located in the boundaries of the City of Newark that is within 1½ (1.5) miles radius of an active NJ Transit rail station

Entities are eligible to apply for one or both programs.

Municipalities and government entities are not eligible to apply for either.

All applicants must certify at time of application to their existing project costs and their financial need.

Eligible Project Activities:

In order to be eligible for ART funding, all capital construction projects must have a total cost of less than $10M. These projects can include:

Renovation or restoration of vacant buildings, or square feet of vacant space within a partially occupied building.
New construction of at least 10,000 square feet on an existing vacant lot.
Acquisition costs.
Eligible projects can include mixed- used construction.

Ineligible activities include:

Demolition of a structure to create a vacant lot for future development.
Projects that are 100% residential construction.

Product (2) – Public Space Activation Product Eligibility:

Eligible Applicants:

Nonprofit organizations with a 501c(3) or 501c(19) status including but not limited to, Economic Development Corporations, Community Development Corporations, Nonprofit Economic Development or Redevelopment Agencies, Business Improvement Districts and City Improvement Districts and Art Organizations.

Eligible Project Activities:

Funding is expected to support the creation of public space activation initiatives, such as:

Placemaking projects, public art installations, signage, and streetscape improvements Activation of public spaces through events
Operating costs for arts organizations
Master/subleases for programmatic use (including incubator space, small business support, and events) in mixed use and commercial properties only

Project Considerations:

Competitive projects for both Product (1) and (2) will clearly address the impacts of the COVID-19 public health emergency by responding to the following considerations:

COVID Impact: Applicants must address how the proposal is responsive to the negative public health and/or economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and complies with all the SLFRF requirements.
Locations: Projects must be located in Atlantic City or Newark. All projects must support commercial corridors and be located in urban areas with mass transit.
Capacity: The applicant must have experience implementing a project of a similar scope.
Long-term impacts: Competitive applicants must articulate via the application process how the proposal will have a positive long-term impact in the community.

This may include certain factors like renovating a facility to support small businesses, including how it will enable growth in population and tax revenue.

Financial Viability: Must demonstrate long-term financial viability of the project and a time period for project completion through the submission of a pro forma.
Local impact considerations: A project must demonstrate how it supports the goals and visions stated (if available) in either a local master plan, downtown or neighborhood plan, capital improvements plan and/or economic development strategy, along with the readiness of infrastructure.
U.S. Treasury reporting: Ability to provide the U.S. Department of the Treasury with relevant reporting for all project expenditures exceeding $1 million, specifically, all proposals must provide a narrative on how the project will address the impacts of COVID-19 in either Atlantic City or Newark, and why this capital expenditure is the most appropriate to address the economic harms caused by COVID.

Scoring:

NJEDA is seeking 3 applications to evaluate. However, the Authority reserves the right to approve one grant award. All successful applicants must follow a uniform disbursement schedule. Applicants are required to submit progress reports in order to receive grant disbursements. At a minimum, the progress reports must include:

Summary of funds expended to date:
Narrative detailing milestones achieved and overall progress toward completion of final plan; and
Proof of State regulatory compliance for Prevailing Wage pursuant to N.J.A.C. 19:30-4.2 and Affirmative Action pursuant to N.J.A.C. 19:30-3.3.

Grants will be scored on a scale of 0-100 points, with award recommendations limited to applications that meet or exceed the minimum score requirement of 65 points. Applications will be evaluated and scored on each of the criteria found in Exhibit B.

Grant award recommendations will be made based on the highest scored applications received after the competitive application window closes. Awards will be recommended in order until the funding pool is fully utilized.

NJEDA staff will make up a scoring committee to score each complete application for each product. Staff will recommend applicants for approval to the Board based upon scoring that can be fully funded based on the applicant’s Funding Request Certification and staff’s review.

If the next ranked applicant (that scored above the minimum score) cannot be fully funded, NJEDA staff will notify that applicant of the available amount that can be awarded. The applicant will have 15 business days from the date of the notice to accept the amount of the grant and to provide proof of an additional funding to ensure the project can still be completed by using a letter of intent, commitment letter, bank statements, or any other means. If the applicant decides not to accept the amount available or does not identify additional funding to complete the project, the application will be incomplete and deemed withdrawn by NJEDA. The application may also be denied if the additional funding does not meet the product requirement for such funding. If no award is given to that applicant, NJEDA will proceed with the same process to the next highest scored application (above the minimum score). Throughout this process, the applicant will not be allowed to change its project, as that would impact scoring.

The full scoring criteria and available points can be viewed here: https://www.njeda.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/ART-Scoring-Specifications.pdf

Grant Disbursements

NJEDA will disburse grants only to applicant. Applicant shall be responsible for assuring the compliance of any strategic partners and/or subcontractors with all terms and conditions of the application. The applicant assumes the sole and absolute responsibility for any payments due to any municipal, county, or strategic partners.

Under the Real Estate Rehabilitation and Development program, applicants will receive one disbursement of 50% of the total award amount upon 50% of project completion as demonstrated through their contract documents such as their AIA (American Institute of Architects) documents. Second disbursement will occur when the applicant can provide a Certificate of Occupancy and proof of completion.

Under the Public Space Activation Program, the Applicant will receive the full grant amount upon execution of the grant agreement, and then will be required to submit quarterly reporting until project completion. NJEDA will provide the applicant with the report, and they will complete the required documentation indicating proper use of funds.

Application Process:

The ART Program will be a competitive grant program accepting applications during a 60-business day window. Applicants may apply for both products at the same time if their project is eligible.

The Authority will perform a review of applications after the closing of the application period for completeness. Applicants will be given five business days to cure any deficiencies. If the applicant is non-responsive, then at the end of the five-day period, the applications will be deemed withdrawn. At the sole discretion of the Authority, staff may ask for clarification of the application information, including but not limited to responses, documentation, and attachments. Once an application is deemed complete, it will be reviewed for eligibility.

Fees:

NJEDA will charge applicants the following fees:

NJEDA will charge a non-refundable application fee of $1,000 to all entities applying for funding through the Real Estate Rehabilitation and Development product, and $1,000 to all entities applying for funding through the Public Space Activation product.
Not-for-profit entities may apply for an undue hardship fee waiver at time of application. Fee waivers for Undue hardship can be demonstrated through the nonprofit’s most recent 990 form if Revenue Less Expenses (line 19) is less than or equal to $500,000 and Net Assets/Fund Balances (line 22) is less than or equal to $1,000,000.

Additional information on ART may be found at Activation, Revitalization, and Transformation (ART) Program – NJEDA.

Questions concerning this Notice of Funding Availability should be submitted via email to ART@njeda.gov.

Click here for full PDF

Film & Digital Media Studio Infrastructure Program (“Program”) – Pilot Grant Program
Notice of Funding Availability

Revision extends the application submission deadline from August 16, 2023 to October 19, 2023 at 5PM.

The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (“NJEDA” or “Authority”) will begin accepting applications for the Program on May 18, 2023 at 10:00am. The application can be accessed at: Film & Digital Media Studio Infrastructure Program – NJEDA. Applications for this program will be available for a minimum of ninety days after the launch of the online application. Applications must be submitted by October 19, 2023 at 5:00 pm. The Program will make use of $9,500,000 for infrastructure improvements and sitework in support of the development of a film or digital media studio production facility. This is a competitive application process and following the closure of the application period, applications will be evaluated for completeness and eligibility and then scored by a committee of NJEDA staff. The highest scoring applications will be presented to the NJEDA Board for approval.

Purpose

The Program is established to fund infrastructure improvements and sitework in support of the development of a film or digital media studio production facility. The Program is established to stimulate economic growth and enhance the State’s long-term economic competitiveness by supporting and encouraging strategic economic development investments in the designated Film & Digital Media industry target sector. The Program will provide a minimum grant of $50,000 and a maximum grant of $4,750,000 per approved project.

Overview

Governor Murphy’s Fiscal Year 2023 Appropriations Act (“Act”) allocates significant State funding for numerous strategic economic development investments to support key industries, advance the innovation economy, continue to bolster recovery, and spur statewide growth. These strategic investments include $15 million for a Film Industry Strategic Support Fund to grow and strengthen the state’s film and digital media industry, including attracting film studio production facilities to the state and expanding job opportunities.

Program Details

The Program is a competitive grant program that will proactively deploy $9.5 million to fund infrastructure improvements and sitework (“Project”) in support of the development of a film or digital media studio production facility.

The Program will provide funding to eligible applicants as described below that are undertaking eligible Projects that support the development of a film or digital media studio production facility.

Eligibility

The Program will provide a minimum grant of $50,000 and a maximum grant of $4,750,000 per approved project to the below eligible applicants that are undertaking infrastructure improvements or sitework to support the development of a film or digital media studio production facility (collectively defined as “Applicants”):

Municipalities,
Municipal entities,
Counties,
County entities, and/or
State instrumentalities.

Eligible Projects are limited to infrastructure improvements and sitework in support of the development of a film or digital media studio production facility; such infrastructure improvements may include but are not limited to the following:

Roadwork or transportation improvements
Water and/or sewer lines/service
Gas lines/service
Telecommunications
High speed broadband
Electrical utility lines/grid/supply
Accessibility and safety improvements (i.e. sidewalks, fire hydrants)
Site remediation or site work on government owned property

All Projects shall be subject to prevailing wage law and compliance with other labor standards requirements.

Additional applicant requirements:

Must be in substantial good standing with the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection at the time of application. A current tax clearance certificate must be provided prior to approval to demonstrate the applicant is in substantial good standing with the NJ Division of Taxation unless the applicant is not required to register with the Division of Taxation.

Application Submission and Review Process

Applications submitted after the application deadline will not be accepted or reviewed.

Project overview and description;
Letter from the studio production facility confirming studio plans to build/expand studio production facility (indicate sf size) on the site with an estimated number of full-time equivalent jobs when operational, and that the proposed infrastructure improvements in Applicant’s proposal are being undertaken in support of the studio production facility;
Project budget (Sources & Uses line-item detail) including evidence of additional financing if applicable per Project budget;
Project development timeline;
Experience and capacity of the applicant (and contractors/consultants if applicable) to implement Project within Project development timeline; and
Narrative and/or documentation regarding Small, Women, Minority, Veteran Business Enterprises (“SWMVBE”) participation, if applicable

After the close of the application period, EDA staff will review all applications for completeness and will respond to the applicant(s) to request any necessary clarifications to the application(s). Applicants will be given ten business days to cure any deficiencies, or the application will be withdrawn.

Applications deemed complete will be reviewed and scored by NJEDA evaluation scoring committee. Applications will be scored on a scale of 0 – 100 points, with award recommendations limited to applications that meet or exceed the minimum score requirement of 65 points.

Scoring factors and points will include:

Applicant readiness to proceed	(up to 35 pts)
Project merits (community and regional economic impact and benefits of the proposed project as catalyst for and connection to local development)	(up to 35 pts)
Project Feasibility	(up to 15 pts)
Applicant (and contractor/consultant) experience & capacity	(up to 10 pts)
SWMVBE participation	(up to 5 pts)

Applications that meet the minimum score requirement of 65 out of a possible 100 points will initially be separated into two groups –

applications in support of a Film or Digital Media Studio production facility in excess of 250,000 square feet, and
applications in support of a Film or Digital Media Studio production facility less than 250,000 square feet

Provided that one or more applications are submitted in each group that meet or exceed the minimum score requirement of 65 points, the highest ranked application from each group shall be recommended to the Board for approval. Following this step, all remaining applications will be merged into a single group and recommended to the Board for award approval starting with the highest scored application until all Program funding is awarded.

If an applicant requests grant funding for an eligible Project but there are not sufficient Program funds available to fund the full grant request, NJEDA would inform the applicant of the amount of grant funds available. If the applicant wishes to proceed, the applicant would be required to fund the difference to fill the gap to ensure the submitted Project proposal is undertaken as described.

If all Program funds are not awarded during the initial application period, then applications will be reopened on a rolling basis with applications that meet the minimum score being recommended for award based on the order in which completed and eligible applications are received.

All eligible applications will proceed to the Board for approvals, and all applications which have not been declined due to non-discretionary reasons will also proceed to the Board.

Funding Disbursements

NJEDA will disburse grants only to the applicant. The applicant shall be responsible for assuring the compliance of the project with all terms and conditions of the application and the Program funding requirements.

Once a Project is approved for funding, NJEDA will enter into a grant agreement with the applicant detailing the Project to be funded, eligible Project costs, the amount of grant funding, and all financial programmatic requirements.

The grant funds will be disbursed either incrementally as eligible Project expenses are incurred and prorated with other funding sources if applicable with the NJEDA’s standard construction retainage withheld until Project completion, or grant funds may be disbursed in coordination with the other funder’s disbursement process if applicable.

If the approved Film or Digital Media Studio Infrastructure Project has not been completed and the supported studio production facility has been terminated (for example, applicable redevelopment agreement is terminated, site plan approvals are denied or expire), the Applicant will no longer be eligible for any remaining unused grant funds.

Final payment of grant funds will be made upon the NJEDA’s inspection of completed Project and receipt of certificate of completion.

Grant Amounts

The minimum amount of grant funding is $50,000 and the maximum amount of grant funding is $4,750,000 to any one Project. Grant funding may fund 100% of an approved Project’s costs.

Fees

A fee of $1,000 is due at time of application submission.

Additional Information

Comprehensive information about the Film & Digital Media Studio Infrastructure Program is available at Film & Digital Media Studio Infrastructure Program – NJEDA

Click here for full PDF

New Jersey Innovation Fellows Program (NJIF) Application
Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA)

Revision extends the application deadline from May 15, 2023 5PM to June 19, 2023 5PM

The New Jersey Economic Development Authority will begin accepting applications for the New Jersey Innovation Fellows Program at 10:00 AM on Tuesday, March 14, 2023 and closes on Monday, June 19, 2023 at 5PM. The application can be accessed at https://www.njeda.gov/new-jersey-innovation-fellows-program/.

Purpose

The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (“NJEDA” or “Authority”) is seeking applications from qualified applicants for the New Jersey Innovation Fellows Grant Program (“NJIF”). The program aims to provide income-replacement* funding to teams of entrepreneurs, through the disbursement of fellowship grants in the base amount of $200,000, and up to $400,000 with qualified bonuses, thereby facilitating economic growth and job creation in eligible municipalities.

* “Income-replacement” capital is purposed to replace a stream of income an entrepreneur might forego to launch an early-stage business.

Overview

P.L.2021, c.160 (C.34:1B-370 through 34:1B-373), establishes the New Jersey Innovation Fellows Program, which provides a total of $10 million in funding to support would-be entrepreneurs, particularly diverse entrepreneurs, with “income replacement” grants. This resource creates an opportunity for new entrepreneurs to pursue a unique startup business venture with the security of initial income replacement funding in the two-year ideation and formation period of their business.

In accordance with the statute and the NJEDA Board Memo dated November 16, 2022, approved teams will be qualified to receive $200,000 as a base award with up to $200,000 in bonuses that would result in a total award of up to $400,000. See Bonus section below. Furthermore, award disbursements are subject to teams meeting and maintaining compliance milestones. With satisfactory compliance milestones, funding will be disbursed over eight quarters.

Additionally, the NJIF legislation requires all members of the approved entrepreneur team (each an “entrepreneur fellow”) to participate in a mentorship program. The Authority will seek to execute a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with third-party partners, to help structure and administer a State-wide mentorship program.

Entrepreneur fellows will be required to participate in the mentorship programs facilitated by the third-party partners as a condition of their grant award, which will incorporate virtual and in-person meetings. Mandatory attendance of the mentorship program will be required throughout the two-year duration of the fellowship program.

The initial general-operations curriculum may train the entrepreneurs in the following subject matters:

• Managerial Finance, Accounting, & Financial Statements preparations

• Human Resources development & management

• Marketing & Customer Development

• Product design, development & management

• Capital sourcing & raise

• Vision Mapping

• Buyer Personas

• Business Model Design

• Contracts & Business structures (Legal studies).

Bonuses

The Fellowship grant awards $200,000 per team of no less than three (3), first-time entrepreneurs as a base award. Teams may access an additional $50,000 award on top of the $200,000 base award if one entrepreneur team member verifies residency in a designated Opportunity Zone in New Jersey. Opportunity zone means a federal population census tract in New Jersey that was eligible to be designated as a qualified opportunity zone pursuant to 26 U.S.C. s.1400Z-1. Teams may also be awarded an additional $50,000 in bonuses for each entrepreneur leader, who self-certifies as a “diverse entrepreneur” (as defined in section 2 of P.L.1997, c.349 (C.54:10A-5.29) OR is a “graduate of a New Jersey college or university” (including 2yr, and 4yr schools) in the State, as evidenced by corresponding degree or certification documents. Qualifying teams may receive total bonuses of up to $150,000 for certifying team members, resulting in a potential total award of $400,000.

“Diverse entrepreneur” is defined in N.J.S.A. 54:10A-5.29 as individuals meeting the criteria for “minority business” or “female business” defined in N.J.S.A. 52:32-19 as either “persons who are black, Hispanic, Portuguese, Asian-American, American Indian or Alaskan natives” or a woman. – Thus, the Authority will accept an individual entrepreneur’s minority self-certification, if the individual identifies as one of the ethnic and racial categories recognized for minority-owned businesses for the purposes of State certification or identifies as a woman.

Eligibility

The NJIF program will support teams of at least three entrepreneurs, of which half must be first-time entrepreneurs. A team with an odd number of entrepreneur leaders must demonstrate more than half the team must be first-time entrepreneurs. The NJIF program defines a first-time entrepreneur as an entrepreneur who has never been listed as a founder, co-founder, or owner of a business entity that operated in a targeted industry in the State of New Jersey, or has not received third-party, institutional, funding for past entrepreneurial opportunities as early as the ideation phase. Entrepreneurs who have received State and/or federal funding for past entrepreneurial opportunities with entities which did not operate in a targeted industry in the State of New Jersey are eligible for the grant’s consideration.

At least half of the self-identified entrepreneur team (i.e., the minimum three entrepreneurs that will manage the new start-up venture) must certify as “first-time entrepreneurs” and must come directly from the workforce. A team with an odd number of entrepreneur leaders must demonstrate more than half the team must be first-time entrepreneurs.

NJIF Legislation also requires all grant recipients to pay gross income tax at the time of application or demonstrate gross income tax paid within 60 days prior to application date.

Detailed eligibility criteria can be found on the NJIF web page here: New Jersey Innovation Fellows Program – NJEDA.

Application Process

Applications for the NJIFs program will be accepted during distinct application rounds, where the application and any supporting information will be made available on the NJEDA website. There will be a total of four (4) distinct application periods over the course of the Fellowship’s two-year tenure (two application periods within a calendar year, open approximately six months apart), or until funds are exhausted. Each application period will be preceded by a 30-day open Q&A period, followed by an approximately 60-day application period.

Members of the Authority’s staff will ensure qualified applicants meet all minimum requirements for program participation by reviewing a minimum requirement checklist and supporting documentation.

Fees

There is a $250 application fee due at the time of application submission. Applications will not be considered complete without payment of the application fee.

Click here for full PDF

Wind Institute Fellowship Program for Private Research Universities

REVISED AS OF FEBRUARY 10, 2023 EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY

This Notice of Funding is subject to the Governor’s veto pursuant to N.J.S.A. 34:1B-4.i and remains conditional until February 23, 2023.

Notice of Funding Availability

The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (“NJEDA”) will begin accepting applications for the Wind Institute Fellowship Program for Private Research Universities on February 24, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. and will close on March 3, 2023 at 5:00 p.m. The application is open for 6 calendar days. There is a $1,000 non-refundable application fee. This is a non-competitive program. A total of $844,800 will be available through this program, with a maximum award amount of $281,000 per university. The application can be accessed at: https://www.njeda.gov/wind-institute-fellowship-program-for-private-research-universities/

Purpose

This grant opportunity is issued by the NJEDA seeking applications from qualified universities to participate in the Wind Institute Fellowship Program (“Fellowship Program”). NJEDA entered into Memorandums of Understanding with New Jersey’s public research universities for the first year of the Fellowship Program, which covers academic year 2022-2023. For Fellowship Program Year 2 and Fellowship Program Year 3, NJEDA seeks to also enter into agreements with New Jersey’s private, public mission research universities to expand the Fellowship Program.

Overview

The Fellowship Program is designed to encourage and support student research in topics that further the development of offshore wind in New Jersey and build student and faculty advisor expertise in offshore wind. Participating students (“Fellows”) will conduct independent research under the tutelage of a faculty advisor at their home institution. Fellows will convene as a cohort to participate in industry trainings, guest lectures, site visits and other activities to support their knowledge of the offshore wind industry, providing exposure to industry stakeholders.

For each Fellowship Program Year, each school will be responsible for recruiting a diverse set of students and managing their own application and selection process. Fellows may be upper class undergraduate (juniors and seniors) and graduate students, including masters and doctoral students, in any discipline/degree program as long as the research conducted for the Fellowship Program is focused on offshore wind. NJEDA will provide funding to each school to disburse as stipends for a capped number of students as described below. Undergraduate Fellows will receive a $15,000 stipend and graduate Fellows will receive a $30,000 stipend. Each Fellow will be provided an additional $1,000 stipend for travel, material, equipment, and other research expenses related to their Fellowship. Each private, public mission university will be able to select up to four (4) Fellows, with a goal of selecting at least one undergraduate (junior and senior) and one graduate (masters or ph.d) Fellow for each Fellowship Program Year. In addition, each faculty advisor will receive a $1,000 honorarium, and each school will be provided 10% of the total grant amount for facilities and administration expenses.

The Fellows’ research is expected to be completed over the course of the academic year, with the addition of the preceding or following Summer semester at each school’s discretion. Overall, the Fellowship should be in place for a minimum of 25 weeks and a maximum of 40 weeks. Fellowship Program Year 2 will take place during the 2023-2024 academic year beginning no later than the Fall 2023 semester and ending no later than the Summer 2024 semester. Fellowship Program Year 3 will take place during the 2024-2025 academic year beginning no later than the Fall 2024 semester and ending no later than the Summer 2025 semester. For each Fellowship Program Year, NJEDA will organize cohort meetings from October to April as well as an April symposium where Fellows will present their research findings to an audience of government, academic, and industry stakeholders.

Eligibility

Only New Jersey private, public-mission universities designated by the Carnegie Commission on Higher Education as R1 (Very High Research Activity) or R2 (High Research Activity) are eligible to apply for this grant.

The university applicant must be in substantial good standing with the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development and New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. The university applicant must provide a current tax clearance certificate as part of the application from the New Jersey Division of Taxation. Certificates may be requested through the State of New Jersey Premier Business Services Portal online at: https://www16.state.nj.us/NJ_PREMIER_EBIZ/jsp/home.jsp.

Project Scope

In support of the Fellowship Program, each of the selected universities will:

Develop and submit a Fellowship Program marketing and selection process plan that will guide efforts to advertise the program widely and support engagement of a diverse group of students and faculty advisors.
Conduct an application and selection process with established selection criteria
Facilitate connections between Fellows and faculty advisors and relevant resources at the university
Submit the names of the selected students, advisors, project descriptions, and signed participation forms to NJEDA within fifteen (15) days of completing the selection process and no later than September 1, 2023 for Fellowship Program Year 2 and September 1, 2024 for Fellowship Program Year 3
Begin the Fellowship Program no later than the Fall 2023 semester and conclude the program no later than the Summer 2024 semester for Fellowship Year 2 and begin no later than the Fall 2024 semester and conclude no later than the Summer 2025 semester for Fellowship Year 3
Assign a university representative to support NJEDA staff on communications with the Fellows and advisors throughout the Fellowship Program
Disburse and track program expenditures including payments to Fellows and honorariums to advisors per the university’s internal policies and procedures

Submit a report detailing the use of funds throughout the Fellowship Program no later than September 1, 2024 for Fellowship Program Year 2 and no later than September 1, 2025 for Fellowship Program Year 3
Return any funds not utilized for the program to NJEDA by September 30, 2024 for Fellowship Program Year 2 and September 30, 2025 for Fellowship Program Year 2. With NJEDA’s written approval, each university may roll over any unutilized Fellowship Program Year 2 funding to be used for Fellowship Program Year 3.

In support of the Fellowship Program, NJEDA will:

Provide communication materials and support the schools in marketing the Fellowship Program
Organize five to eight Fellowship cohort meetings from October to April of each Fellowship Program Year for Fellows to participate in industry trainings, guest lectures, site visits, and/or presentations
Recruit and engage key industry stakeholders throughout the program to maximize the Fellows’ exposure to the industry
Organize the Wind Institute Fellowship Symposium to take place in April of each Fellowship Program Year
Upon receiving the names of the selected students and their project descriptions, provide schools with funding based on the number and graduate level of the selected Fellows for each Fellowship Program Year.

Application Process

Applications will be accepted between February 24, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. and March 3, 2023 at 5:00

p.m. All interested applicants must complete and submit their applications online through the portal by the deadline to be considered for the program. The application can be found at: https://www.njeda.gov/wind-institute-fellowship-program-for-private-research-universities/

After the application window is closed, NJEDA staff will review all applications for completeness and compliance with the required documentation. All eligible applicants will be notified of their selection. NJEDA staff may request clarifying or additional information from applicants with incomplete or noncompliant applications and such information must be received within five (5) business days of the date of request or the response may be rejected.

There is no scoring criteria for this Program. NJEDA will enter an agreement with any and all applicants meeting the eligibility criteria subject to the availability of funds.

Grant Amounts

For each Fellowship Year, the maximum grant amount for each university is $140,800 (calculation based on all four Fellows at the graduate level). The grant award for each university would be less if the university selects fewer than the specified number of Fellows in total and/or a mix of undergraduate and graduate Fellows.

Eligible Uses

Funds may only be used for the Wind Institute Fellowship Program for:

Student research
Travel/material stipends
Faculty advisor honorariums (one faculty advisor per Fellow)
10% of the total grant amount for facilities and administrative expenses

Disbursement

Within fifteen (15) days of completing the selection process and no later than September 1, 2023 for Fellowship Program Year 2 and September 1, 2024 for Fellowship Program Year 3, the university must submit to NJEDA documentation on the selected students including the names of the selected students, advisors, project descriptions, and signed participation forms. Once received, NJEDA will disburse funds for each Fellowship Program Year based on:

$30,000 per graduate Fellow
- $15,000 per undergraduate Fellow
- $1,000 stipend per undergraduate or graduate Fellow for travel, materials, and other Fellowship expenses
- $1,000 faculty honorarium per faculty advisor
- 10% of the grant amount for Facilities and Administration expenses

Additional Information

Information about the Wind Institute Fellowship Program for Private Research Universities can be found at: https://www.njeda.gov/wind-institute-fellowship-program-for-private-research- universities/

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Food Security Planning Grant Program
Notice of Funding Availability

REVISED AS OF NOVEMBER 16, 2022 EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY

Revision clarifies application is open for 60 business days and therefore, closes December 20, 2022 at 5:00 PM.

The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA or Authority) hereby announces the availability of grant funding under the Food Security Planning Grant Program, with the purpose to serve as a pilot program to explore the potential for improving food access and food security in New Jersey’s designated Food Desert Communities (FDCs) by leveraging distressed assets.

The pilot planning grant program makes up to $1,500,000 available to competitively award grants up to $125,000 to municipal governments, county governments, and/or redevelopment agencies whose geographic catchment areas include an FDC.

Applications will open on September 27, 2022, at 10:00 am. Applications will be accepted for sixty business days after the opening of the application. Applications for this program will be accepted up to the closing date, December 20,2022 at 5:00 pm. Applications will be evaluated for completeness and scored by a committee of Authority staff. The highest scoring applications will be approved by the Chief Executive Officer of the NJEDA for funding.

A non-refundable fee of $1,000 shall accompany every application. An application fee waiver may be requested at the time of application for proposals led by municipalities or municipal authorities, boards, commissions, or other municipal entities ranked in the top 10 percent of the Municipal Revitalization Index (MRI).

The application can be accessed at https://www.njeda.gov/food-security-planning-grant/.

Purpose

The Food Security Planning Grant Program will support the development of an action plan leveraging distressed assets located in FDCs across New Jersey to improve food access and food security.

For the Food Security Planning Grant program, a distressed asset shall be defined as a commercial building or series of buildings, its attachments, and appurtenances; or vacant land that is fully or partially vacant for at least one year, that due to deteriorated condition or appearance of its exterior (because of deferred maintenance such as deteriorated paint or overgrown vegetation, boarded up door and/or windows), can be leveraged to improve food access and food security.

Overview

This funding opportunity is issued as part of Governor Phil Murphy’s campaign to build a stronger and fairer New Jersey by investing in communities and to improve food access and food security for all Garden State residents. The Food Security Planning Grant program will fund development of plans that improve food access and food security in the FDCs by leveraging distressed assets.

Not having access to food, and more specifically nutritious food, has a direct impact on one’s health. For this reason, access to nutritious, affordable, and culturally relevant food is a key component not only in a healthy, sustainable local food system, but also in creating vibrant communities and building a stronger and fairer New Jersey. The Food Security Planning Grant Program is one tool that NJEDA will deploy to empower local governments and redevelopment agencies to develop and submit plans to improve food access while transforming distressed assets that have presented a hindrance to economic growth.

The Food Security Planning Grant funding allocated in the Fiscal Year 2022 Appropriations Act was assigned to the Economic Recovery Fund to create this planning grant program.

Eligibility

Eligibility under the program will be limited to the following entities whose geographic catchment areas include an FDC:

New Jersey municipal governments,
County governments, and
Redevelopment agencies.

While the applicant may serve or have offices in a broader geographic area, proposals must be for a distressed asset located within the borders of an FDC.[1]

For the Food Security Planning Grant program, the proposed plan must be for an asset which meets the above-mentioned definition of a distressed asset, and the proposed plan must leverage a distressed asset within one of the 50 FDCs.

Along with their application, applicants must provide a letter of support from the office of the mayor or chief executive of the municipality where the asset is located and at least one letter of support from a stakeholder located within the boundaries of the FDC.

For a property owned by a New Jersey County, municipal government entity, independent agency, or authority, the applicant must provide a letter of support from the property owner or their designee for the proposed project; this must be signed by the chief executive of the government entity, independent agency or authority or their designee.

For a property owned by a private individual or by a non-governmental for-profit or non-profit entity, the applicant is required to provide a letter of support signed by the owner, co-owner, corporate officer, or their designee.

Proposals for directly owned New Jersey state land will not be considered.

A municipality, a county, or redevelopment agency may submit multiple applications in a lead role and can be included as a partner in additional applications where they play a non-lead role. A municipality, county, and redevelopment agency whose geographic catchment areas include an FDC may each submit a proposal focused on the same FDC but are strongly encouraged to coordinate and submit a single application.

Eligible Uses

The Food Security Planning Grant Program will support the development of action plans focused on improving food access and food security in newly designated FDCs across New Jersey by leveraging distressed assets. Applicants must have identified a distressed asset within the borders of a FDC to be eligible for this grant.

The proposed plan may include but are not limited to strategies such as:

Identification and development of a community-based initiative/program or resource that improves access to affordable, fresh, and healthy produce and other food items.
Determining cost-benefits of retrofitting, redeveloping, or regreening the distressed asset as it relates to food access and food security.
Developing a plan to drive economic growth for the locality by implementing innovations around food access and food security solutions.
Creating greater social, economic, and environmental sustainability by identifying ways to grow, process and sell fresh produce.
Stakeholder engagement and facilitation to identify community desires and needs pertaining to food access and food security.
The identification of appropriate additional funding sources to support community led re-use of one or more properties to support food access and food security.
Feasibility study for a supermarket or food retailer.

Grant Amounts

The Food Security Planning Grant Program is a competitive grant program. Grant amounts will range from $75,000 to $125,000 and will be determined based on the Composite Food Desert Factor Score[2] for the FDC where the distressed asset is located:

Applicants with a distressed asset in an FDC with a Composite Food Desert Factor Score between 86.5 – 63.9 will be eligible to receive an award of $125,000.
Applicants with a distressed asset in an FDC with a Composite Food Desert Factor Score between 61.2 – 51.5 will be eligible to receive an award of $100,000.
Applicants with a distressed asset in an FDC with a Composite Food Desert Score between 51.2 -24.1 will be eligible to receive an award of $75,000.

Application Process

Online applications will be accepted for a 60-day period from the date the application is opened to the public, which will be communicated to all potential applicants via the Authority’s website and social media accounts. Applications submitted after the application deadline will not be accepted or reviewed.

To apply, an applicant must register or log into the online application portal, complete all required application questions fully, and upload all required PDF document attachments. After the close of the application period, EDA staff will review all applications for completeness and respond with any necessary rectifications to the application. The applicant will have five business days to cure any deficiencies, or the application will be withdrawn. Applications deemed complete will be scored by a committee of EDA staff. Applications must meet a minimum score of 55 to be recommended for grant funding.

Each application must contain the following documents:

Required Application Information

A full completed online application.
Religious Activities questionnaire, if applicable.
Signed Letter of Support from the Office of the Mayor or chief executive of the municipality where the asset is located.
Signed Letter of Support from at least one stakeholder located within the boundaries of the FDC.
Signed Letter of Support from the property owner of the distressed asset:
- For a property owned by a New Jersey County, municipal government entity, independent agency, or authority, the applicant must provide a letter of support from the property owner or their designee for the proposed project; this must be signed by the chief executive of the government entity, independent agency or authority or their designee.
- For a property owned by a private individual or by a non-governmental for-profit or non-profit entity, the applicant is required to provide a letter of support signed by the owner, co-owner, corporate officer, or their designee.
Completed Legal Questionnaire.
Application Fee or Fee Waiver Request.

Required Proposal Component of Application

Distressed Asset Description.
Plan Description/Specification/Statement of work
- Must identify current food security need and challenges in the FDC.
- Must identify opportunities for creating a viable and sustainable solution to improve food access and food security in the community.
- Must include emphasis on long term viability and adaptability of a given concept.
- Must identify and collaborate with other key stakeholders to create an inclusive plan.
Workplan
- Must provide Specific Measurable Achievable Relevant Time-bound (SMART) objectives in the work plan with a timeline.
- Must identify appropriate staff responsible for implementing each activity.
- Must describe goals/outcomes for each activity.
- Must clearly describe the timeline needed to implement each activity within the grant period.
Organizational Capacity
- Demonstrate their ability to work effectively on a collaborative project with a state or federal agency or on a multi-stakeholder project.
- Must provide at least one example of working successfully within the FDC and with other collaborators.
- Must clearly state how this project aligns with and will impact applicant’s overall efforts to address the diverse food security and food access needs within the FDC they serve.
Community Engagement
- Must demonstrate partnership and engagement with various stakeholders across different sectors to address community needs. This will be supported by a letter of support from community stakeholders.
- Must demonstrate prior experience working with community members, stakeholders, and/or advocates in addressing food insecurity.
- Must demonstrate efforts to ensure programs are built to promote social and economic equity.
- Must be able to consider and mitigate any past difficulties that created challenges for the asset selected.
- Should demonstrate experience in community redevelopment with focus on equitable redevelopment projects, community focused adaptive reuse or innovative food distribution concepts.
Budget and Budget Justification
- Requested level of funding must be broken down line-by-line and its uses clearly illustrated in the budget narrative.
- Requested level of funding must be reasonable for proposed activities within the timeline.
- The 20 percent match requirement must be included.

Applications deemed complete will be scored by a committee of EDA staff. Applications that meet a minimum score of 55 points to be considered for an award.

Food Security Planning Grant is a competitive grant program. Applications will be evaluated and scored based on the following scoring criteria:

Location of the distressed asset in the FDC (5 – 10 points).
Plan description stating impact of the proposed plan on the distressed asset and the FDC (up to 20 points).
Work plan that describes the project’s purpose and merits, which must address the specific needs or the FDC as it relates to improved food access and food security (up to 20 points).
Organizational capacity of the applicant entity to successfully complete the project with meaningful outcome (up to 20 points).
Community engagement (up to 20 points).
Budget (up to 10 points).

Fees

A non-refundable fee of $1,000 shall accompany every application.

An application fee waiver may be requested at the time of application for proposals led by municipalities or municipal authorities, boards, commissions, or other municipal entities ranked in the top 10 percent of the Municipal Revitalization Index (MRI). Applicants will self-identify in the application as a municipality or municipal government entity requesting a waiver. Staff will determine if the entity meets the criteria for a waiver. Eligible entities will be granted a waiver for the program. Ineligible entities will be notified and a cure in the form of fee payment will be requested to complete the application.

Additional Information

Comprehensive information on Food Desert Community Designation is available here.

Comprehensive information about the Food Security Planning Grant program is available here

Click here for full PDF

[1] Most FDCs are not inclusive of the entire municipality, only parts of a municipality. Potential applicants can see if potential distressed assets are located within the boundaries of an FDC by viewing the FDC map at https://njdca.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=cd59d206f39c40a691d6ba38598134fb

[2] Composite factor scores are included in the list of FDC designations found at: https://www.njeda.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Food-Desert-Communities-Designation-Final-2-9-22.pdf

NEW JERSEY COMMISSION ON SCIENCE, INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY (CSIT)
NOTICE OF FUNDING AVAILABILITY
Maternal and Infant Health Research and Development (R&D) Grant Program

The New Jersey Commission on Science, Innovation and Technology (CSIT) expects to launch an online application for The Maternal and Infant Health Research and Development (R&D) Grant Program at 9:00 am on July 1, 2022 at https://www.njeda.gov/maternal-and-infant-health-grant/. The application will be open through August 26, 2022 at 5pm. The Maternal and Infant Health R&D Grant Program has a total budget of $750,000 for grant awards of up to $75,000 each. This is a competitive grant. No fees will be charged for this program. Decisions on this grant award are expected to be made by the CSIT Board by January 2023.

Purpose

The goal of the Maternal and Infant Health R&D Grant Program is to support innovation from researchers and entrepreneurs focused on developing technology, therapeutics, and other solutions to address maternal and infant health challenges in New Jersey. The grant will engage early-stage innovation-based companies in New Jersey and help to accelerate research and development of technologies, transforming new discoveries from research stage into commercially viable products and services.

The grant funds will support the research and development of technologies, products and services that enhance the quality of care for and service delivery activities to women, infants, and healthcare agencies from prenatal care through the postpartum period.

Prenatal care is the health care a woman gets during pregnancy. Early and regular prenatal visits with a health care provider are important for the health of both the mother and the fetus. Prenatal care can help prevent complications and inform women about important steps they can take to protect their infant and ensure a healthy pregnancy. With regular prenatal care women can:

Reduce the risk of pregnancy complications.
Reduce the fetus’s and infant’s risk for complications.
Help ensure the medications women take are safe

The postpartum period, also known as the fourth trimester, refers to the time after delivery when maternal physiologic changes related to pregnancy return to the nonpregnant state. In addition to physiologic changes and medical issues that may arise during this period, health care providers emphasize the psychological needs of the postpartum mother.

The Maternal and Infant Health R&D Grant Program is for companies conducting research and development or testing technologies related to maternal and infant health in the following target areas:

Life Sciences – (e.g., therapeutic drug development, medical devices),
Technology (e.g., digital and telehealth services and platform development, mental health services),
Food and beverage (non-retail).

Overview

The Maternal and Infant Health R&D Grant Program has a total budget of $750,000 for grant awards. Eligible applicants will receive awards of up to $75,000.

The objectives of the program are to:

Support innovation from researchers and entrepreneurs focused on developing technology, therapeutics, and other solutions to address maternal and infant health challenges from prenatal to 12 months postpartum.

Engage early-stage innovation-based companies in New Jersey to accelerate research and development of technologies to transform new discoveries from research stage into commercially viable products and services that impact maternal and infant health.

Program Details

Grants will be awarded on a competitive basis, with awards going to the highest scoring applicants provided the minimum score is met. All materials must be submitted after July 1, 2022 at 9 am and before the grant application deadline on August 26, 2022 at 5:00pm.

Each approved grant will be valid for a period of 12 months (starting from date of the execution of the grant agreement). Any unused approved grant amounts will be cancelled after the 12-month period and returned to the program budget for future use.

Eligibility

To be eligible for the Maternal and Infant Health R&D Grant Program, the applicant must meet the following eligibility criteria at the time of submission and throughout the application review period:

• Be authorized and in good standing to conduct business in New Jersey as evidenced by a current New Jersey tax clearance certificate (listing New Jersey Commission on Science, Innovation and Technology). All certificates listing another state agency will be rejected.

• Have no more than 25 full-time equivalent (FTE) workers (FTE calculated on a 35-hour work week) at time of application.

• Have a minimum of one full-time worker (FTE calculated on a 35-hour work week). A founder can be counted as a worker; a worker may be paid or unpaid.

• Fifty percent or more of the cumulative hours worked by all workers, founders, and contractors must be conducted in New Jersey (as calculated on an FTE basis of 35 hours per week).

• Have less than or equal to $1,000,000 in 2021 calendar year sales revenue.

Scoring Criteria – the applicant must achieve a minimum score of 10 in the following criteria to be eligible for a grant.

Innovation (up to 5 points),
Implementation plan – budget and milestones (up to 5 points),
Community engagement and impact (up to 5 points),
Go-to-market strategy (up to 5 points),
Team (up to 5 points).

Bonus Points – Bonus points will be awarded to applicants that achieve the minimum score and are also:

New Jersey Certified women-owned business (2 points),
New Jersey Certified minority-owned business (2 points),
New Jersey Certified veteran-owned business (2 points),
Primary place of business/R&D located within an opportunity zone eligible census tract or primary place of business/R&D located within Trenton, Paterson, or Atlantic City (2 points).

Eligible Uses
The Maternal and Infant Health R&D Grant Program funding can be used to maintain project activities and cover general operating costs.

The following expense categories are ineligible for funding by this grant:

Direct counseling and clinical services,
Manufacturing of products for sale or commercial use,
Real estate rental expenses,
Patient clinical trial expenses,
Construction costs.

Grant Amounts
Eligible applicants can receive grant awards of up to $75,000.

Application Process
The application will open at 9:00 am on July 1, 2022 at https://www.njeda.gov/maternal-and-infant-health-grant/ and close on August 26 at 5:00pm. All applications to the Maternal and Infant Health Program must include the following documentation:

Completed online application.
To evidence that proof of concept has been achieved for the project. Submit one of the following:
- Description of the proof-of-concept results,
- Published paper outlining results achieved,
- Detailed description of patent application for proposed technology,
- Successful completion of a federal SBIR/STTR grant or contract related to the project,
- Confirmation documentation from a university tech transfer office if the project relates to technology that has been developed at a university.
Employee information as appropriate for applicable company structure and staffing (i.e., most recent New Jersey WR-30 (W2 employees) or 1099 (contractors)), Shareholder Agreement or K-1, or offer letters. Please note that if a Professional Employment Organization (PEO) is utilized, the applicant must submit confirmation of PEO-A form issued by the New Jersey Department of Labor (DOL), These confirmations are issued on an annual basis and are valid for a year. See https://www.nj.gov/labor/ea/employer-services/leasing-companies/ for additional information on PEOs.
Summary of most recent Internal Payroll (Q4 2020 or Q1 2021) indicating each employee name and number of hours worked per week.
Most recent company tax filing: Federal 941 and either an NJ-CBT-100 (Schedule A), Form-1065 or Form -1040 (Schedule C), as applicable, showing the total gross receipts or sales for the year.
Current New Jersey tax clearance certificate (listing New Jersey Commission on Science, Innovation and Technology). See https://www16.state.nj.us/NJ_PREMIER_EBIZ/jsp/home.jsp. All certificates listing another state agency will be rejected.
If applicable, copy of Women and/or Minority-owned business certification https://www.njportal.com/DOR/SBERegistry/Default/.
If applicable, copy of Veteran-owned, Minority-owned, or Women-owned business certification.
Completed Application Certifications.
Completed CSIT Legal Debarment Questionnaire.
Completed Non-Involvement in Russia/Belarus Certification.

The following steps detail the application submission process:

Applications will be open for a limited timeframe.
A document completeness review will be done on a rolling basis as applications are received.
Applicants with missing documentation will be notified and given 10 business days to submit missing documents.
After the missing documentation deadline, only complete applications will be evaluated and scored.
An evaluation committee will review and assign a score to each application, after receiving qualitative input from Subject Matter Experts (SMEs). As part of the process, all complete applicants will be invited to make a brief presentation about their project to CSIT staff and SMEs.
In order to be eligible for funding, an applicant must receive a minimum of 10 of the available 25 points on the standard scoring criteria before allocation of bonus points.
If more applications are received than available funding, priority will be given to applications that score the highest against the scoring criteria.

Board Approval

The CSIT Board will make final decision on grant award winners.

Fees

No fees will be collected by CSIT for this program.

Additional Information

Other Terms & Conditions
For two years from the date of the grant agreement, workers and consultants who continue working on the project must conduct 50 percent of their work in a New Jersey location. Failure to comply will trigger a requirement that the applicant make full re-payment of the grant award.

All grant awardees must report economic impact data to CSIT upon the completion of the project for a period of two years by submitting an Economic Impact Questionnaire provided by CSIT.

All grant awardees are asked to commit to participate in one in-person interim site visits from the CSIT/EDA team for update on project.

All grant awardees are asked to commit to participate in future CSIT/NJEDA alumni activities, such as serving as a panel member or participating in interviews about program experience.

Confidentiality
Applications received will be reviewed only by staff of CSIT, NJEDA, and participating universities/colleges, federal labs, and non-profit organizations. All applications submitted will be subject to requests for disclosure, including but not limited to requests pursuant to the Open Public Records Act (“OPRA”), N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1 et seq. If the applicant believes that information contained in its proposal merits confidential treatment pursuant to OPRA, any such purportedly confidential information submitted must be specifically identified and marked by the applicant as such.

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New Jersey Commission on Science, Innovation and Technology
Round 2 Catalyst Research and Development Pilot Seed Grant Program
Notice of Funding Availability

The New Jersey Commission on Science, Innovation and Technology (“CSIT”) expects to launch an online application for Round 2 Catalyst Research and Development Pilot Seed Grant Program (“Program”) at 9am am on June 5, 2023 at www.njeda.com/csit . Application will be open through July 14, 2023 at 5 pm. The Program has a total budget of $1,500,000 for grant awards of up to $150,000 each. This is a competitive grant. No application, transaction, or termination fees will be collected by CSIT for this program. Decisions on this grant award are expected to be made by 4^th Quarter of 2023.

Purpose

The Program helps early-stage innovation-based New Jersey (“NJ”) companies accelerate development of technologies to transform new discoveries from research stage into commercially viable products and services. The grant funds will enable applicants to make significant progress and impact on their commercialization outcomes.

The Program focused on companies conducting research and development or testing technologies in the following target area:

Life Sciences (e.g., Therapeutic drug discovery). Medical devices are NOT eligible for this grant.

All applicants for the Program must provide a proof of concept for their project proposed for funding.

Overview

The Program has a total budget of $1,500,000will award grants of up to $150,000 to support ten (10) early-stage innovation-based NJ companies that have the potential to impact the Life Science Industry. Total funding for the Program will come from CSIT’s Fiscal Year 2023 budget. The Program will be implemented by CSIT.

Program Details

Grants will be awarded on a competitive basis, with awards going to the 10 highest scoring applicants, provided the minimum score is met.

Applicants can only submit one (1) application for this grant. Multiple applications from the same company will NOT be accepted. If an applicant submits two applications, they must select which application moves forward. Applicants that apply to the Round 2 Catalyst R&S Pilot Seed Grant Program are not eligible to apply for the CSIT Food and Agriculture Research & Development Pilot Seed Grant Program.

Each approved grant will be valid for a period of twelve (12) months effective from date of the execution of the grant agreement. Any unused approved grant amounts will be cancelled after the twelve (12) month period and returned to CSIT program budget for future use. An extension for up to an additional three (3) months may be permitted at the discretion of CSIT.

Please note that CSIT grant applicants may adjust and resubmit grant budgets by the program resubmission deadline if;

Submitted budget at the time of application exceed the approved grant amount
Submitted budget at the time of application includes ineligible budgetary items as stated in notice of funding
Submitted budget at the time of application exceeds the 30% marketing threshold as stated in the notice of funding
Submitted budget at the time of application does not include printed name of preparer and date.

Applications with incorrect budgets that are not revised by the resubmission deadline will be declined.

Eligibility

Each applicant to the Program must meet the following eligibility criteria at the time of application and must maintain eligibility during the entire review period in order to be eligible for an award:

Be authorized and in good standing to conduct business in NJ as evidenced by a current NJ tax clearance certificate addressed to New Jersey Commission on Science, Innovation and Technology. All certificates listing another state agency will be rejected.
Have no more than 25 full-time equivalent (“FTE”) workers (FTE calculated on a 35-hour work week) at time of application.
Have a minimum of one (1) full-time worker (35 – hour work week). A worker may be the founder can be counted as a worker, and a worker may be paid or unpaid.
50% or more of the cumulative hours worked by all workers, founders, and contractors must be conducted in NJ (as calculated on an FTE basis of 35 hours per week).
Have less than or equal to two million dollars ($2,000,000) in 2022 calendar year sales revenue (excluding grant revenue).

Eligible Uses

The grant funding can be utilized for project research and development activities.

Ineligible Uses

The following expense categories are ineligible for funding by this grant:

Direct services to individuals or organizations
Manufacturing of products for sale or commercial use
Real estate rental expenses
Patient clinical trial expenses
Construction costs
Travel, entertainment, and other similar expenses
Allocations of general overhead expenses
Any expenditures incurred before the “Effective date”, the date representing the last date of execution of the Grant Agreement by the respective Parties
Any expenses for equipment and materials that Applicant does not use for the Project during the Project period
Fees related to Conferences not associated with the Project

In addition, no more than 30% of the budget proposed for the Project, in the aggregate, may be spent on:

• Marketing and customer discovery specific to the innovation

• IP patent prosecution and licensing-related expenses

• Conference registration fees

Disbursement of funds

First disbursement of 80% of grant award at the Execution Date of Grant Agreement. Second disbursement of 20% after Final Report is submitted.

Application Process

All applications to the Program must include the following documentation:

Completed online application
Demonstration evidence that proof of concept has been achieved for the project. Submit one or more of the following:
- Description of the proof-of-concept results
- Published paper outlining results achieved
- Successful completion of a federal SBIR/STTR grant or contract related to the project
- Confirmation documentation from a university tech transfer office if the project relates to technology that has been developed at a university
Budget and Milestone Proposals (Excel templated embedded within online application)
Employee information as appropriate for applicable company structure and staffing -i.e. most recent NJ WR-30 (W2 employees) or 1099 (contractors), Shareholder Agreement or K-1, or offer letters. Please note that if a Professional Employment Organization (PEO) is utilized, the applicant must submit confirmation of PEO-A form issued by the New Jersey Department of Labor (DOL). These confirmations are issued on an annual basis and are valid for a year. See https://www.nj.gov/labor/ea/employer-services/leasing-companies/ for additional information on PEOs.
Summary of most recent Internal Payroll (Q4 2021 or Q1 2022) indicating each employee name and number of hours worked per week.
Most recent Company tax filing; Federal 941 and either an NJ-CBT-100 (Schedule A), Form-1065 or Form -1040 (Schedule C) or whichever is applicable to the organizational form of your business, showing the total Gross Receipts or Sales for the year.
Current NJ tax clearance certificate addressed to CSIT (Tax clearance must be dated May 15,2023 or after. https://www16.state.nj.us/NJ_PREMIER_EBIZ/jsp/home.jsp
DUE No Later Than October 6, 2023 or application will be declined.
If applicable, copy of Women and/or Minority owned business NJ certification https://www.njportal.com/DOR/SBERegistry/Default/
DUE No Later Than October 6, 2023 or relevant bonus points will not be awarded.
If applicable, copy of Veteran owned business NJ certification
DUE No Later Than October 6, 2023 or relevant bonus points will not be awarded.
If applicable, a copy of Executed University License Agreement with University. DUE No Later Than October 6, 2023 or relevant bonus points will not be awarded.
Complete Application Certification
Completed CSIT Legal Debarment Questionnaire

The following steps detail the application submission process:

A document completeness review will be done as applications are received
Applicants with missing documentation will be notified and given 10 business days to submit missing documents. If the application remains incomplete by the resubmission deadline, it will be declined.
Only complete applications will be evaluated and scored. Applicants must submit the NJ tax clearance certificate by the start of the application scoring period. Otherwise, the application will be declined. For any bonus category, if the documentation is not received by the application scoring period, bonus points will not be applied.

Applicants that have indicated in the application that they are a minority/women/veteran owned business and did not submit the NJ state certification at the time of the application will also have up to the start of the Application Scoring period to submit the document. If the documentation is not received by that point, bonus points will not be applied to the application.
An evaluation committee comprised of CSIT and NJEDA staff will review and assign a score to each application, after receiving qualitative input from Subject Matter Experts (“SMEs”). As part of the process, all applicants with complete applications will be invited, but are not required, to make a brief presentation about their project and submit it to the evaluation committee and SMEs.
In order to be eligible for funding, an applicant must receive a minimum score of 70 out of the available 100 points on the standard scoring criteria before allocation of bonus points.
Denied applications may appeal CSIT’s declination within the timeframe provided in CSIT’s declination letter. Appeals must be written and include an explanation as to how the applicant has met the application criteria.

Grants will be awarded to 10 applicants with the highest overall scores, provided the minimum score is met, until program funds are expended.

Scoring

Scoring Criteria – All applicants must achieve a minimum score of 70 in the following criteria to be eligible for a grant.

Innovation (up to 30 points)
Market opportunity (up to 10 points)
Implementation plan -budget and milestones (up to 20 points)
Go-to-market strategy (up to 10 points)
Economic and community impact (up to10 points)
Team (up to 20 points)

Bonus Points – Bonus points will be awarded to applicants that achieve the minimum score plus the following:

Company is using technology initially developed at a NJ university, under an executed license agreement with such university (15 points)
NJ certified women-owned business (10 points)
NJ certified minority-owned business (10 points)
NJ certified veteran – owned business (10 points)
Primary place of business/research & development located within an opportunity zone eligible census tract or government restricted municipality (5 points)
Has not previously received a CSIT grant or voucher (10 points)

Board Approval

The CSIT Program Committee will review scored applications and make funding recommendations to the CSIT board. The CSIT Board will make final decision on grant award winners.

Fees

No fees application, transaction, or termination fees will be collected by CSIT for this program.

Additional Information

Other Terms & Conditions

For three years from the date of the grant Agreement, workers and consultants who continue working on the project must conduct 50% of their work in a NJ location. Failure to comply will trigger a requirement that the awardee make full re-payment of the grant award.

All grant awardees must report economic impact data to CSIT upon the completion of the project and an additional two years after project completion by submitting an Economic Impact Questionnaire provided by CSIT.

All grant awardees are encouraged to commit to participate in one (1) in-person interim site visits from the CSIT/EDA team for update on project.

All grant awardees are encouraged to commit to participate in future CSIT/NJEDA alumni activities, such as serving as a panel member or participating in interviews about program experience.

Confidentiality

Applications received will be reviewed only by staff of CSIT and NJEDA and SMEs. SMEs will execute NDAs prior to reviewing the applications. All applications submitted will be subject to requests for disclosure, including but not limited to requests pursuant to the Open Public Records Act (“OPRA”) N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1 et seq. If the applicant believes that information contained in its proposal merits confidential treatment pursuant to OPRA, any such purportedly confidential information submitted to CSIT must be specifically identified and marked by the applicant as such.

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Offshore Wind Workforce and Skills Development Grant Challenge

Notice of Funding Availability

The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) will begin accepting applications for the Offshore Wind Workforce and Skills Development Grant Challenge at 10:00 a.m. December 8, 2022 AND WILL CLOSE ON February 1, 2023 at 5:00 p.m. The application is open for 56 calendar days, including federal holidays. Due to the objective of this program, the standard $1,000 application fee is waived. This is a competitive program. A total of $3,725,000 will be available through this program, with minimum and maximum award amounts set at $100,000 and $1,000,000, respectively. The application can be accessed at: www.njeda.gov/offshore-wind-workforce-and-skills-development-grant-challenge/ .

Purpose

This grant opportunity is issued by the NJEDA seeking applications from qualified applicants to launch or expand offshore wind workforce and skills development programs.

Overview

The Offshore Wind Workforce and Skills Development Grant Challenge(Grant Challenge) is a competitive program that will award grants to selected applicants to launch or expand workforce training and skills programs focused on strengthening and diversifying the New Jersey offshore wind workforce. A total of $3,725,000 will be available through this program, with minimum and maximum award amounts set at $100,000 and $1,000,000, respectively. Priority in this Grant Challenge will be given to applicants or applicant teams that propose initiatives supporting training and job access for residents of overburdened communities. Grants will be awarded to proposals that achieve the highest overall scores based on the scoring criteria set forth in the product specifications.

Eligibility

This Grant Challenge is open to public and non-profit entities that can design and execute workforce and skills training programs for the offshore wind industry. Such entities may include, but are not limited to, community-based organizations, workforce training organizations, labor unions, workforce placement intermediaries, technical high schools, community colleges, universities, non-profit organizations and regional workforce development boards. Private, for-profit entities cannot apply as the primary applicant but may be part of an applicant team as a collaborator.

NJEDA will enter into a grant agreement with each successful primary applicant, and the primary applicant will be held solely responsible for complying with the terms of the grant. However, applicants must collaborate with, and adhere to, the following guidance on collaboration with other entities to develop and support robust workforce training programs:

Required: All applications must include at least one Community-Based Organization (CBO) with demonstrated experience serving a New Jersey Overburdened Community, as defined by New Jersey’s Environmental Justice Law, N.J.S.A. 13:1D-157, et seq. The CBO must either be the primary applicant or a strategic collaborator with the primary applicant. All applications that include the CBO as a strategic collaborator must clearly define the CBO’s role, alignment with the CBO’s mission and/or services, and the amount of the grant request allocated to the CBO for the agreed upon role. For the purposes of this Grant Challenge, a Community-Based Organization is defined as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that provides direct services or supports to a specific geographic New Jersey community(ies) or specific segments of a New Jersey community(ies). Per the New Jersey Division of Taxation, a 501(c)(3) Organization refers to a nonprofit organization that has received a determination letter from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) stating that the organization is exempt from federal Income Tax under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. The term also may refer to a church or ministry that may qualify for an IRS 501(c) (3) determination letter, even though it does not intend to apply for an IRS determination. www.irs.gov/charities-and-nonprofits. Government entities, K-12 schools, and institutions of higher learning do not qualify as CBOs. However, these entities may be the primary applicant or an additional collaborator on the applicant team. New Jersey’s Environmental Justice Law, defines “overburdened community” as any census block group, as determined in accordance with the most recent United States Census, in which: (1) at least 35 percent of the households qualify as low-income households; (2) at least 40 percent of residents identify as minority or as members of a State recognized tribal community; or (3) at least 40 percent of the households have limited English proficiency. N.J.S.A 13:1D-158.

Encouraged: Applicants may collaborate with additional entities, including for-profit or non-profit entities, to design and implement the training program.

In addition to the eligibility parameters already stated above, the primary applicant must also be in substantial good standing with the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development (DLWD) and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to participate in the program. The primary applicant must provide a current tax clearance certificate as part of the application from the New Jersey Division of Taxation. Certificates may be requested through the State of NJ Premier Business Services (PBS) portal online at: https://www16.state.nj.us/NJ_PREMIER_EBIZ/jsp/home.jsp

Applicants must submit proposals that include:

A compelling plan to develop or expand a program that will allow New Jerseyans to access workforce opportunities in the offshore wind industry by providing tangible skill development and/or job-readiness training. Components of programs must include direct workforce training/skill development, and, where relevant, support services such as: access to career services, mentorship, family services, counseling, transportation, etc. Proposed initiatives must focus on one or more of the following occupation areas as defined by the Standard Occupation Codes System (SOC):
- Operations Specialties Managers (SOC 11-3000)
- Construction Trade Workers (SOC 47-5000)
- Extraction Workers (SOC 47-5000)
- Other Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations (SOC 49-9000)
- Assemblers and Fabricators (SOC 51-2000)
- Metal Workers and Plastic Workers (SOC 51-4000)
- Plant and System Operators (SOC 51-8000)
- Other Production Occupations (SOC 51-9000)
- Water Transportation Workers (SOC 53-5000)
- Material Moving Workers (SOC 53-7000).

A compelling plan to engage with industry and other stakeholders to design and implement a program that prepares and/or connects participants with job opportunities in offshore wind.

A compelling plan to develop and/or utilize outreach; recruitment practices; program design approaches; and wraparound supports, as needed, such as mentorship, transportation, and childcare that target and support a diverse and inclusive pool of training participants to successfully complete the program.
A compelling plan to execute the project efficiently and on schedule, achieving well-defined milestones to complete the proposed initiative.
Program budget using NJEDA’s template (the template is available on the program website), that clearly lists the requested grant amount, other sources of funding if applicable, and itemized costs to develop and deliver the program.
A signed letter from the applicant’s CBO collaborator confirming their role in the proposed initiative, or if applicable, a signed letter from the primary applicant confirming their status as a Community-Based Organization.

Application Process

Applications will be accepted during a competitive application round, after which all complete applications will be reviewed by an evaluation committee. NJEDA staff will review all applications for completeness. The application portal will be open from December 8, 2022 at 10 a.m. to February 1, 2023 at 5:00 p.m. All interested applicants must complete and submit their applications online through the portal by the deadline to be considered for the Grant Challenge. The application can be found at: www.njeda.gov/offshore-wind-workforce-and-skills-development-grant-challenge/

Following the completeness review, applicants with missing documentation will receive an email notification from NJEDA and will have five business days to submit any missing or incomplete documentation. NJEDA staff may also request clarifying information from applicants and such information must also be received within five business days of the date of request or the response may be rejected. Applicants should submit missing documentation electronically to WindInstitute@njeda.com with the email subject line “Offshore Wind Workforce Challenge – Missing Documentation Submission [APPLICANT NAME]”.

After the five business days, any application that is not complete will not be evaluated. Only complete applications will be evaluated and scored. Applications will be evaluated by an evaluation committee comprised of staff from NJEDA. Staff from the DLWD and the Office of the Secretary of Higher Education will serve as subject matter experts (SMEs) and advise the evaluation committee.

The evaluation committee will evaluate, score and rank applications received based on five primary criteria:

Ability to meet the needs of the offshore wind industry (up to 35 points);
Ability to serve NJ’s Overburdened Communities (up to 10 points);
Ability to provide wraparound supports and affordable training (up to 15 points);
Prior experience and ability to implement the program (up to 30 points); and
Resources required (up to 10 points)

To be considered for an award, an application must receive a minimum score of 80 points.

Grant Amounts

Eligible applicants can propose an initiative with required funding of no less than $100,000 and no more than $1,000,000. NJEDA anticipates making multiple awards through this challenge. NJEDA may opt to request revisions to the proposed budgets or scopes accordingly. The protocol will be as follows: NJEDA will allocate funding to the top scoring proposals within the funding cap of $3,725,000. If the next highest scoring proposal over 80 points has a budget request that brings the total allocation higher than the funding cap, NJEDA may request that next highest scoring applicant to revise their budget and/or scope to fit within the funding cap.

Eligible Uses

Grant funds will be disbursed to the winning applicants to support planning and implementation. Eligible uses of grant funding include costs associated with planning (e.g., staff costs for program development), soft launch (e.g., outreach and recruitment materials and related costs), capital costs (e.g., procurement, construction or renovation of program space, equipment, and material purchases), and/or implementation costs (e.g., instructor time, facility fees, participant equipment or materials, delivery of support services). No more than ten percent of the grant amount may be used on indirect costs such as general administration and other general operating expenses. Applicants must provide a detailed budget that demonstrates how the grant will be used to cover all costs.

Disbursement

The grant will be disbursed according to the following milestones:

50 percent of the grant will be disbursed upon execution of a grant agreement between NJEDA and the selected applicant.
25 percent of the grant will be disbursed upon the applicant’s submission of the mid-program report, the exact timing to be determined based on the grantee’s implementation plan and reflected in the grant agreement.
25 percent of the grant amount will be disbursed upon the launch of the program (for applicants seeking funds for program design) or completion of the grant period, which is expected to be no later than two years following the date of the grant agreement execution (for applicants seeking funds for program implementation).

Additional Information

Entities interested in collaborating on an applicant team may submit an optional Potential Collaborator Form by December 14, 2022 at 5:00PM to windinstitute@njeda.com. All completed forms will be shared with all entities that submit such forms.

Questions regarding the Grant Challenge may be submitted via email to windinstitute@njeda.com by January 11, 2023 at 5:00 PM with the subject line “Questions – NJ Offshore Wind Workforce Grant Challenge”. Answers will be posted on the Offshore Wind Workforce and Skills Development Grant Challenge website on a rolling basis.

Comprehensive information about the Offshore Wind Workforce and Skills Development Grant Challenge is available at https://www.njeda.gov/offshore-wind-workforce-and-skills-development-grant-challenge/

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New Jersey Manufacturing Voucher Program

Notice of Funding Availability

REVISED AS OF MAY 8, 2023 EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY

Revision eliminates the June 30, 2023 deadline to order/purchase equipment. Approved applicants will now have thirty days after execution of closing agreement to order/purchase eligible equipment.

REVISED AS OF FEBRUARY 27, 2023

Board approval will be sought on March 8, 2023 to increase the available funding from $20,000,000 to $33,750,000. Under N.J.S.A. 34:1B-4i, no Board action has force or effect until 10 business days after the Authority delivers meeting minutes to the Governor’s Office. Accordingly, the increase in funding remains conditional until at least March 23, 2023. Assuming the Board approves and the Governor does not veto, this program will make a total of $33.75 million less $1 million for administrative expenses available to support New Jersey manufacturers’ access to manufacturing equipment needed to become more efficient, productive, and profitable. Eligibility requirements and all other terms and conditions will remain the same.

REVISED AS OF JANUARY 12, 2023 EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY

Revision clarifies the pre-qualification review is a courtesy review and extends the second stage of the application to a 14 day cure period for applicants with an incomplete application.

The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA or Authority) will begin accepting pre-qualification submissions from manufacturing companies that are: in an identified Targeted Industry and/or purchasing eligible equipment that meets the Advanced Manufacturing definition for the New Jersey Manufacturer’s Voucher Program (NJ MVP) pilot at 10:00 AM on December 15, 2022. The pre-qualification submission deadline is 11:59 PM on December 22, 2022. The pre-qualification application can be accessed at www.njeda.gov/njmvp. There is no fee for pre-qualification submission. If NJEDA determines a submission is pre-qualified and offers an application, a fee of $1,000 is due from the applicant at the time of application.

Purpose

The purpose of NJ MVP is to support New Jersey manufacturers’ access to manufacturing equipment needed to become more efficient, productive, and profitable.

Overview

On June 30, 2022, Governor Murphy signed the Fiscal Year 2023 Appropriations Act (Act) into law as P.L.2022, c.49. The Act includes $35 million for a Manufacturing Initiative to grow and strengthen the State’s manufacturing sector, including programs to spur capital investment, increase the adoption of new technology, attract new suppliers to the state, and expand workforce development and training opportunities. NJ MVP is utilizing $33.75 million to stimulate private sector investments to modernize New Jersey’s manufacturing industry, and to help keep pace with state-of-the art product development and manufacturing technology.

Program Details

NJ MVP will provide equipment grants sized at 30% to 50% of the cost of the eligible equipment (including installation), up to a maximum award amount of $250,000. The program will support the purchase of manufacturing equipment for New Jersey manufacturers in Targeted Industries for their manufacturing process or equipment that meets the definition of Advanced Manufacturing. (See Targeted Industry List and definitions: https://www.njeda.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Appendix-C-Targeted-Industries-Definitions-12.6.22_v2.pdf) Examples of advanced manufacturing technologies include additive manufacturing technologies, computer-aided manufacturing, utilization of advanced sensors and robotics to improve production, development of advanced materials to support production, and digital twin development and utilization. This industry also includes firms that manufacture either finished or interim advanced technologies or components. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis and remain open until all funds are committed.

The program will offer bonuses for Certified Woman, Minority, and Veteran Owned Businesses (WMVB); businesses located within opportunity zones; manufacturing equipment purchased from a New Jersey manufacturer or assembler; as well as bonuses for companies that have a collective bargaining agreement in place. NJ MVP is also committed to supporting Small Businesses by awarding manufacturers with up to 100 employees or Full Time Equivalent employees with higher award percentages.

Program Eligibility:

NJ MVP will provide funding for New Jersey Manufacturers who meet of the following eligibility criteria:

Applicant company must be either a manufacturer in a Targeted Industry or the equipment to be purchased by the applicant company must meet the Advanced Manufacturingdefinition. (See Targeted Industry List and definitions: https://www.njeda.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Appendix-C-Targeted-Industries-Definitions-12.6.22_v2.pdf
Applicant company must obtain a Tax Clearance Certificate.
Applicant company must be in substantial good standing with the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development (DOLWD) and New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).
Applicant company must intend the equipment for use at a location in New Jersey.
Applicant company must provide purchase quote, order proforma, and/or equipment listing.
- Projects with executed contracts, a purchase order placed, or a deposit dated prior to submitting a pre-qualification for an NJ MVP application WILL NOT be considered for funding.
Applicant company must have a business location. Home-based businesses are not eligible.
Applicant company must intend the equipment for use in the manufacturing process. (Please see www.njeda.gov/njmvp.)
Total aggregated project cost (equipment + installation) must be at least $25,000.00.
- New and/or used equipment is eligible.

In addition, all contracts (including manufactures/supplier agreements) are subject to New Jersey’s prevailing wage laws.

Bonus Eligibility:

NJ MVP will award bonuses to applicants as follows:

Stackable 5% Bonuses Available for:

Equipment located, installed, and used in an Opportunity Zone Eligible Census Tract
Certified Woman, Minority, and Veteran Owned Businesses (WMVB)
At least one Collective Bargaining Agreement in place.

Stackable 10% Bonuses Available for:

Purchase of equipment from a New Jersey Manufacturer. (Equipment must be manufactured and/or assembled in New Jersey.)

Eligible Uses:

Funding can only be used for the purchase and installation of new and/or used manufacturing equipment used in the manufacturing process. The equipment must be located and installed at a New Jersey location. Eligible manufacturing equipment includes technologically advanced equipment or production/operating systems, such as robotics, additive manufacturing equipment, hardware or software for digital twinning, advanced sensor or control systems, as well as interconnected sensors, instruments, and other devices networked together with industrial applications, and related security. The acquisition of eligible equipment as it relates to NJ MVP must executed at arm’s length.

Application Process

The process will include two-steps:

First, the interested applicant company must submit a pre-qualification application. The pre-qualification application will open on December 15, 2022 and will remain open on a rolling basis until December 22, 2022.
- applications will be reviewed by NJEDA for courtesy review of select key eligibility requirements. Applicants that submit incomplete pre-qualification applications will be provided the opportunity to submit missing information within seven (7) business days.
Second, a pre-qualified applicant company will then be offered an invitation by NJEDA to apply. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis. The application will remain open until all funds are committed. Applicants that submit incomplete applications will be provided fourteen (14) days after their application is reviewed to provide missing or incomplete documents.
- Applicant companies may purchase equipment once an application is submitted at their own risk but are encouraged to wait for an NJEDA approval.

Fees:

There is no fee for the pre-qualification application. Once a pre-qualification applicant is deemed pre-qualified from the courtesy review by NJEDA, a link will be provided to the applicant to fill out the NJMVP application. A fee of $1,000 is due at time of application submission.

Funding Levels:

Grant awards will be 30% to 50% of eligible project cost (depending on stackable bonuses and number of employees), with a minimum award of $7,500 and maximum award amount of $250,000 per applicant.
Applicant companies may submit multiple project applications. However, the aggregate amount awarded to any one company may not exceed $250,000 and the total aggregated project cost must be is at least $25,000.
One single award disbursement will be issued when proof of equipment delivery and installation is provided.
- Approved applicants will have thirty (30) days after the execution of their closing agreement to order / purchase eligible equipment.
- Approved applicants will be allowed 12 months for the delivery and installation of the equipment with two six-month extensions.
All disbursements are subject to availability of funding

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New Jersey Commission on Science, Innovation and Technology
Notice of Funding Availability
Pilot Clean Tech Demonstration Grant Program

The New Jersey Commission on Science, Innovation and Technology (CSIT) in collaboration with the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) will begin accepting applications to the Pilot Clean Tech Demonstration Grant Program (Pilot Clean Program). Applications to the Pilot Clean Program shall be submitted using CSIT’s online application portal. The pre-application portal will be open from Wednesday, December 7, 2022, at 10AM to Friday December 30, 2022, at 5PM EST. The full application portal will be open from Monday, December 12, 2022, at 10AM to Friday February 3, 2023, at 5PM EST. Access to the application portal can be found on the CSIT’s Program page https://www.njeda.gov/pilot-clean-tech-demonstration-grant-program/

Purpose

This grant opportunity is issued by CSIT in collaboration with NJEDA, seeking applications from qualified applicants for Pilot Clean Tech Demonstration Grant Program (Pilot Clean Program) to support New Jersey based companies accelerate the commercialization and deployment of innovative clean energy technologies.

Overview

The Pilot Clean Program has a total budget of $2,500,000 for awards. Funding for the program is provided by the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU). The Pilot Clean Program will be implemented by the CSIT and administrative and technical support will be provided by NJEDA staff. The goal of the Pilot Clean Program is to support New Jersey based companies to accelerate the commercialization and deployment of innovative clean energy technologies by demonstrating capabilities in a real-world setting. Companies must be developing or testing clean technologies intended to avoid emissions of, or recapture of, greenhouse gases and/or criteria pollutants, or to enable such avoidance or recapture.

The Pilot Clean Program is for companies developing or testing clean technologies intended to avoid emissions of, or recapture, greenhouse gases and/or criteria pollutants or to enable such avoidance or recapture in the following target areas:

Chemicals/Advance Materials
Energy Distribution/Storage
Energy Efficiency
Energy Generation
Green Buildings
Transportation
Waste Processing
Water and Agriculture

Eligibility

Each applicant to the Pilot Clean Program must meet the following eligibility criteria at the time of application and throughout the review process:

Authorized and in good standing to conduct business in New Jersey as evidenced by a current New Jersey tax clearance certificate.
Have no more than 50 full-time equivalent employees (FTE) as calculated on a 35-hour work week) at time of application.
Have a minimum of two FTE.
Fifty percent or more of the work of its employees, including founders and contractors, is conducted in New Jersey (calculated on an FTE basis of 35 hours per week).
The Pilot Clean Program project must be conducted in New Jersey and is defined as the core project posed by the applicant.
Applicant has less than five million dollars in previous calendar year sales revenue.
The proposed project must be between TRL 6 (Prototype System Verified) to TRL 8 (System Incorporated in Commercial Design).

Program Details

Eligible applicants can propose a project of up to 24 months in duration and with a maximum budget of $250,000. Applicants have an opportunity to request a three-month no cost extension, which CSIT may approve at its sole discretion. The Pilot Clean Program funds are intended for specific clean tech/clean energy-related demonstration project (Project). All expenses submitted as part of the budget proposal must be specifically related to the particular Project for which this grant is sought.

The following expense categories are ineligible for funding the Project:

Marketing and customer discovery specific to the innovation
Any expenditures incurred before the “Effective date” the date representing the last date of execution of the grant agreement
Fees related to conferences or events.

In addition, no more than 10 percent of the budget proposed for the Project, in the aggregate, may be spent on intellectual property patent prosecution and licensing-related expenses.

Please note: CSIT reserves the right to make changes to budget submissions if there are any proposed ineligible expenditures outside the scope of the Pilot Clean Program.

Disbursement of funds

Funds will be dispersed when pre-determined milestones are reached. Each milestone will have deliverables, which must be submitted and approved by CSIT before receiving the funding for that specific milestone. Upon execution of the grant agreement, sixty percent of the approved project budget request will be disbursed. Thirty percent will be disbursed at the completion of the proposed milestones and the remaining ten percent upon completion of the project and acceptance of the final report.

Application Process

Applications to the Pilot Clean Program must be submitted using CSIT’s online application portal. Access to the application Portal can be found on the CSIT’s Program page (https://www.njeda.gov/about/Public- Information/CSIT).

The pre-application portal will be open from Wednesday, December 7, 2022, at 10AM to Friday December 30, 2022, at 5PM EST. All applicants must begin their application by completing the pre-application portion of the application, including the letter of intent. CSIT will review the pre-application portion of the application and contact the applicant to review eligibility as required.

The full application portal will be open from Monday, December 12, 2022, at 10AM to Friday February 3, 2023, at 5PM EST. Once the pre-application has been reviewed with CSIT, applicants may move forward with the submission of a full application. A document completeness review will be done by CSIT on a rolling basis as applications are received.

All applications to the Pilot Clean Program must include the following documentation:

Completed online application, including Budget and Milestone Proposals (link to Excel templates provided in the application and CSIT website https://www.njeda.gov/pilot-clean-tech-demonstration-grant-program/) and uploaded results from Technology and Readiness Technology Calculator Excel file (link to calculator provided in the application and CSIT website https://www.njeda.gov/pilot-clean-tech-demonstration-grant-program/).
Letter of intent executed by and between the applicant and a Strategic Partner. A Strategic Partner is an entity that confirms willingness to support the pilot demonstration project and may receive of some of the funding as a demonstration site to support testing and validation of project.
Employee information, as appropriate, for applicable company structure and staffing (i.e. most recent NJ WR-30 (W2 employees) or 1099 (contractors), Shareholder Agreement or K-1 or offer letters). Please note that if a Professional Employment Organization (PEO) is utilized, the applicant must submit confirmation of PEO-A form issued by the New Jersey Department of Labor (DOL). These confirmations are issued on an annual basis and are valid for a year. See https://www.nj.gov/labor/ea/employer-services/leasing-companies/ for additional information on PEOs.
Summary of most recent internal payroll, indicating each employee name, including founders, and number of hours worked per week.
Most recent company tax filing, federal 941, and either an NJ-CBT-100 (Schedule A), Form- 1065 or Form -1040 (Schedule C), or whichever is applicable to the organizational form of the applicant’s business, showing the total gross receipts or sales for the year.
Current New Jersey tax clearance certificate addressed to New Jersey Commission on Science, Innovation and Technology. See https://www16.state.nj.us/NJ_PREMIER_EBIZ/jsp/home.jsp. Certificates addressed to another state agency will be rejected.
If applicable, copy of a New Jersey Women/Minority/Veteran-owned business certification https://www.njportal.com/DOR/SBERegistry/Default/.
Signed application certification.
Completed CSIT Legal Debarment Questionnaire.

Applicants with missing documentation will be notified and given 10 business days to submit missing documents. Applicants should submit missing documentation electronically to csitcleandemo@njeda.com with the email subject line “Pilot Clean Tech Demonstration Grant Program-Missing Documentation Submission – [Company Name].”

Applicants who have submitted complete applications will have an opportunity to hold a virtual presentation. Virtual presentations will not be scored and are optional.

Only complete applications will be evaluated and scored. After the Applicant’s Extension Time, any application that does not include ALL of the documents specified or contain documents that have not been completed will be considered incomplete and will not be evaluated. Full applications submitted with evidence of a pending request for documentation from a New Jersey agency will be considered complete for scoring purposes. However, missing documentation MUST be received prior to submission to the CSIT Board for approval of an award. An evaluation committee comprised of CSIT and NJEDA staff will review and assign a score to each application.

Evaluation Process

The evaluation committee, consisting of CSIT and NJEDA staff, will score each application against the basic and bonus point scoring criteria outlined below. As part of the process, all complete applicants will be invited to make a brief virtual presentation. The evaluation committee may contact applicants for clarification on their technical proposal or budget submissions. Please note these communications will be only for clarification purposes only. Applicants will not be allowed to submit any new information pertaining to their application. At the end of the review period, the CSIT Board will make final decision on grant winners.

Applicant grant winners will be required to execute a grant agreement outlining the funding amount, terms, and conditions of the grant. The initial grant funds disbursement will not be made until the execution of such grant agreement.

Scoring Criteria

All complete applications, will be evaluated and points will be awarded based on the following criteria:

Innovation (up to 15 points)
Market Opportunity (up to 15 points)
Feasibility (up to 10 points)
Economic & Environmental Impact (up to 10 points).

All complete applications will be evaluated and scored against the above criteria and assigned a score. To be considered for an award, the application must receive an aggregate minimum score of 30 points on the above criteria.

Bonus points may be awarded to applicants that meet the minimum score of 30 points as follows:

New Jersey Certified women-owned business (10 points)
New Jersey Certified minority-owned business (10 points)
New Jersey Certified veteran- owned business (10 points)
Application using technology initially developed at a New Jersey university, under an executed license agreement (5 points)
Primary place of business/research and development located within an opportunity zone eligible census tract or government restricted municipality (5 points).

Additional Terms and Conditions

As part of the review process, CSIT conducts sister-agency checks with the New Jersey Department of Labor (DOL) and Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) on all completed applications. To be eligible for an award, applicants must be in good standing with both DOL and DEP.

Grant awardees must agree that its employees, including founders and consultants, will conduct at least 50 percent of the company’s work (calculated on an FTE basis) in New Jersey for a period of three years from the effective date of the grant agreement. Failure to comply will trigger a requirement that the applicant make full re-payment of the grant award within sixty days or as otherwise stated in the grant agreement.

Grant awardees must commit to reporting economic impact data to CSIT upon the completion of program for a period of five years pursuant to the grant agreement.

Grant awardees shall commit to participate in future CSIT/NJEDA/BPU alumni activities such as serving as a panel member or participating in interviews about Program experience.

Questions and Answers

Questions concerning this Notice of Funding Availability will be accepted through the application deadline and should be submitted via e-mail to csitcleandemo@njeda.com. The subject line of the e-mail should state: “Pilot Clean Tech Demonstration Grant Program.”

CSIT will host a Webinar on the Program. Applicants will also have an opportunity to ask questions at that time. (https://www.njeda.gov/pilot-clean-tech-demonstration-grant-program/)

All questions received and answers provided in response to this Notice of Funding Availability will be answered in the form of a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) document, which will be posted and continuously updated on CSIT’s website. (https://www.njeda.gov/pilot-clean-tech-demonstration-grant-program/)

Confidentiality

Applications will be reviewed by staff of CSIT, NJEDA and NJBPU, together with the subject matter experts. All proposals will be subject to requests for disclosure, including but not limited to, a request pursuant to the Open Public Records Act (“OPRA”), N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1 et seq. If an applicant believes that information contained in its proposal merits confidential treatment pursuant to OPRA, any such purportedly confidential information submitted must be specifically identified and marked by the applicant.

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COVID-19 Outbreak
NEW JERSEY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
NOTICE OF FUNDING AVAILABILITY
Commuter and Transit Bus Private Carrier Pandemic Relief and Jobs Program

The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) will begin accepting applications for the Commuter and Transit Bus Private Carrier Pandemic Relief and Jobs Program at 10:00 AM on Tuesday, March 8^th, 2022. The deadline to apply is 3:00 PM on Tuesday, March 29, 2022. The application can be accessed at https://www.njeda.gov/bus-relief/. A fee of $1,000 is due at the time of application.

Language Assistance

Please see below for multilingual versions of this Notice of Funding Availability. If you need language assistance, please send NJEDA your name, spoken language and telephone number to languagehelp@njeda.com

español (Spanish)
ATENCIÓN: si habla español, los servicios de asistencia lingüística, gratuitos, están disponibles para usted enviando un correo electrónico a languagehelp@njeda.com.

粵語 Traditional Chinese (Cantonese Chinese)
注意：如果您說粵語，可以透過傳送電子郵件至 languagehelp@njeda.com 免費獲取語言協助服務。

普通语 Simplified Chinese (Mandarin Chinese)
注意：如果您说普通语，可以通过发送电子邮件至 languagehelp@njeda.com 免费获取语言协助服务。

italiano (Italian)
ATTENZIONE: se parla italiano, può usufruire gratuitamente di servizi di assistenza linguistica scrivendo all’indirizzo languagehelp@njeda.com

한국어 (Korean)
알림: 한국어를 사용하시는 경우, 언어 지원 서비스가 무료로 이메일 languagehelp@njeda.com을 통해 제공됩니다.

po polsku (Polish)
UWAGA: Jeśli mówisz po polsku, możesz uzyskać pomoc tłumacza bezpłatnie wysyłając e-mail pod adres languagehelp@njeda.com.

português (Portuguese)
ATENÇÃO: se você falar português, oferecemos serviços de apoio de idioma gratuitos. Envie um e-mail para languagehelp@njeda.com.

Tagalog
ATTENTION: Kung nagsasalita ka ng Tagalog, magagamit mo ang libreng mga serbisyong tulong sa wika sa pamamagitan ng pag-email sa languagehelp@njeda.com.

Purpose

The Commuter and Transit Bus Private Carrier Pandemic Relief and Jobs Program is a non-recurring grant program to help commuter and transit bus transportation companies that operated as essential service providers in New Jersey during the COVID-19 pandemic and experienced significant revenue loss alleviate the revenue loss and retain or create jobs.

Overview

On March 9, 2020, Governor Phil Murphy issued Executive Order (EO) 103, declaring a State of Emergency and a Public Health Emergency to contain the spread of COVID-19, including restrictions on public gatherings and closing non-essential businesses. The Public Health Emergency was repeatedly extended until on June 4, 2021, when the Governor signed P.L.2021, c.103 and issued EO 244, which terminated the Public Health Emergency declared in EO 103 (2020). On January 11, 2022, in response to the omicron variant, the Governor issued EO 280 (2022) declaring that a Public Health Emergency again exists in the State of New Jersey and that the State of Emergency originally declared in EO 103 (2020) remains in full force and effect. The Public Health Emergency was again extended on February 10, 2022 by EO 288 (2022).

New Jersey businesses and residents faced significant economic challenges due to these public health measures. Essential services that maintained operations faced financial strain due to increased sanitation protocols and reductions in customers. The transportation industry, defined as an essential service in P.L.2020, c.84, was among those hardest hit during the pandemic. EO 125, signed by Governor Murphy on April 11, 2021, mandated additional mitigation requirements on NJ Transit and all private carriers to limit the spread of COVID-19. The requirements both directly and indirectly decreased ridership, resulting in a significant loss of revenue to private transportation companies. Despite easing public health-related restrictions and the broader economy showing signs of recovery, ridership has not returned to its pre-pandemic levels. As such, on February 9, 2022, NJEDA’s Board approved the Commuter and Transit Bus Private Carrier Pandemic Relief and Jobs Program grant funding to help private carriers recover from the lost revenues and retain or create jobs.

Program Details

To provide financial relief to address the continued impact of COVID-19 on the economy, the Federal government passed the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA). Within the ARPA, the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund (SFRF) provided approximately $5.6 billion to the State of New Jersey for a variety of recovery-specific uses. New Jersey’s Fiscal Year 2022 Appropriations Act allocated $25 million of these monies to the Commuter and Transit Bus Private Carrier Pandemic Relief and Jobs Program (the Program). These funds, in alignment with EO 267 and the Stafford Act, 42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq., must be used only to address an unmet need to avoid duplication of benefits.

Eligibility

To be eligible, an applicant must:

Certify that the business was in operation prior to February 15, 2020;
Be a for-profit business (non-profits, public agencies, authorities, and government entities are not eligible);
Be registered to do business in and operating in the state of New Jersey and provide a current New Jersey Tax Clearance Certificate;
Provide fixed route bus service (MB) or commuter bus (CB) service as defined in the Federal Transit Administration’s December 22, 2021, National Transit Database (NTD) Glossary. Other services (including but not limited to those provided by charter buses, school buses, municipal shuttles, vanpool, and on-demand bus services) are not eligible;
Have reported Vehicle Revenue Miles for fixed route bus service (MB) or commuter bus service (CB) greater than 0 in New Jersey directly to the NTD, as recorded in Annual Data Tables 2020 Service, or through NJ Transit as a private carrier in 2020;
Demonstrate revenue losses in the state of New Jersey in 2020 due to the pandemic (calculated as the difference between each applicant company’s 2020 revenues reported in New Jersey and 2019 revenues reported in New Jersey) that has not been fully addressed by other public or private relief funding sources;
Self-certify as to best efforts to not furlough or lay off any worker from the time of application through six months after the end of the declared state of emergency. Applicants that have already furloughed or laid off workers prior to the time of application must make a best-effort pledge to re-hire those workers as soon as possible. Any material breach of the best-effort certification and/or pledge may result in the NJEDA seeking repayment of the grant; and
Satisfy the Authority’s debarment/disqualification review, not have any defaults or outstanding obligations to the Authority and be in good standing with the New Jersey Department of Labor, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, New Jersey Division of Taxation, and NJ Transit.

Additional eligibility criteria based on applicable federal requirements may apply and may include but are not limited to:

A restriction on duplication of benefits, which may exclude potential applicants that have already received emergency COVID-19 assistance; and
A requirement that the applicant demonstrate that it has experienced negative impacts from COVID-19.

Eligible Uses:

Under the Program, funding may be used for reimbursement of certain lost revenue as a result of the business interruption caused by COVID-19.

Grant Amounts

Each approved applicant will be eligible for a flat grant amount of $500,000, This flat grant amount is intended to equitably address base overhead costs that are independent of revenue miles operated; for example, the cost of vehicle maintenance, employee salaries, and garage depots for buses. The remainder of the funds will be allocated based on each eligible applicant’s proportional share of the total vehicle revenue miles in New Jersey for 2020 for all eligible applicants, as reported in the NTD directly or through NJ Transit as a private carrier. This methodology is being used to account for additional variable revenue losses and cost increases associated with volume of service maintained during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In accordance with EO 267 and the Stafford Act, the maximum award, inclusive of the flat amount and pro-rata allocation, will not exceed the applicant’s unmet need. For the Program, unmet need is defined as 2020 New Jersey revenue losses (calculated as the difference between each applicant company’s 2020 revenues reported in New Jersey and 2019 revenues reported in New Jersey), less any other public or private COVID-19 relief funds that a company received for 2020. Public or private funds that companies may have received include, but are not limited to, federal or State loans and grants (such as Coronavirus Economic Relief for Transportation Services (CERTS) grants, forgivable portions of Payroll Protection loans, and Economic Injury Disaster grants) and insurance payouts. Any funding, flat amount or pro-rata share, that exceeds unmet need will be re-allocated to the pool to be disbursed to other eligible applicants.

Application Process:

The application will open at 10:00 AM on Tuesday, March 8^th, 2022. The deadline to apply is 3:00 PM on Tuesday, March 29, 2022. The application can be accessed at https://www.njeda.gov/bus-relief/.

Upon closure of the application period, the Authority will review applications for completeness; applicants that submitted incomplete applications will be provided the opportunity to submit missing information within 10 business days.

Fees: Applicants will be assessed an application fee of $1,000 per application.

Additional Information:

Additional information on the Commuter and Transit Bus Pandemic Relief and Jobs Program may be found at https://www.njeda.gov/bus-relief/

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Sustain and Serve NJ
Notice of Funding Availability

The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) will begin accepting applications for Phase 3 of the Sustain & Serve New Jersey (SSNJ) program on Tuesday, March 1, 2022 at 12:00 PM. The application can be accessed at https://www.njeda.gov/sustain-and-serve/. The deadline to apply for SSNJ Phase 3 is Friday, April 1 at 5:00 PM. NJEDA will collect no application fees for this program.

Language Assistance

español (Spanish)
ATENCIÓN: si habla español, los servicios de asistencia lingüística, gratuitos, están disponibles para usted enviando un correo electrónico a languagehelp@njeda.com.

粵語 Traditional Chinese (Cantonese Chinese)
注意：如果您說粵語，可以透過傳送電子郵件至 languagehelp@njeda.com 免費獲取語言協助服務。

普通语 Simplified Chinese (Mandarin Chinese)
注意：如果您说普通语，可以通过发送电子邮件至 languagehelp@njeda.com 免费获取语言协助服务。

italiano (Italian)
ATTENZIONE: se parla italiano, può usufruire gratuitamente di servizi di assistenza linguistica scrivendo all’indirizzo languagehelp@njeda.com

한국어 (Korean)
알림: 한국어를 사용하시는 경우, 언어 지원 서비스가 무료로 이메일 languagehelp@njeda.com을 통해 제공됩니다.

po polsku (Polish)
UWAGA: Jeśli mówisz po polsku, możesz uzyskać pomoc tłumacza bezpłatnie wysyłając e-mail pod adres languagehelp@njeda.com.

português (Portuguese)
ATENÇÃO: se você falar português, oferecemos serviços de apoio de idioma gratuitos. Envie um e-mail para languagehelp@njeda.com.

Tagalog
ATTENTION: Kung nagsasalita ka ng Tagalog, magagamit mo ang libreng mga serbisyong tulong sa wika sa pamamagitan ng pag-email sa languagehelp@njeda.com.

Purpose

The purpose of the Sustain & Serve New Jersey Program (SSNJ) is to provide support to New Jersey-based nonprofit organizations purchasing meals from COVID-19 pandemic-impacted restaurants and distributing them to New Jerseyans in need for free.

Overview

During the COVID-19 pandemic, New Jerseyans have struggled to put food on the table. According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s Household Pulse survey, more than 440,000 New Jersey households reported not having enough food to eat in the last seven days.

Simultaneously, the nonprofit community that serves individuals impacted by the pandemic has faced vast increases in demand for services without commensurate funding. The Center for Nonprofits reported that in 2020 nearly 50 percent of nonprofit organizations in New Jersey experienced increased demand for services, but only one-third indicated that their funding had risen and of those many reported that their funding had not risen commensurate with the level of need. Thus, indicating a significant gap in compensated services as a direct result of the pandemic.

SSNJ has allowed nonprofit organizations to address the significant increase in demand for meals while simultaneously supporting restaurants impacted by COVID-19.

Program Details

Under the program, up to $10 million of funding through the American Rescue Plan (ARP) will be utilized for grants of a minimum of $100,000 and maximum of $2 million to nonprofits for prospective expenses associated with restaurant meal purchase and distribution. Grantees may also use up to 10 percent of their award to support operating costs directly associated with implementation of the program.

Eligibility

SSNJ is open to 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(19) non-profit organizations, as defined by the US Internal Revenue Service (IRS) or New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs, that can demonstrate the below criteria. Grantees of Phase 1 or Phase 2 of SSNJ are eligible to apply for additional funds and may not be required to resubmit all eligibility documentation.

Classification under one of the following North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes:
- NAICS code 611 (Educational services)
- NAICS code 62 (Social assistance and health care organizations, inclusive of NAICS code 624210)
- NAICS code 813 (Religious, grantmaking, civic, professional, and similar organizations)
- NAICS code 92 (Public administration).
Check against the Federal System for Award Management (SAM) to ensure entity is not debarred.
Good standing with the Department of Labor.
A tax clearance certificate from the New Jersey Division of Taxation.
Invoices and receipts demonstrating purchases of 1,500 or more meals by the organization from any New Jersey-based restaurant(s) totaling at least $25,000, purchased between March 9, 2020 and March 1, 2022. Invoices must include, at minimum: restaurant name, date(s) of purchase, description of purchase(s), quantity purchased, and total cost.
- Meal donations from restaurants (i.e., entities classified as “Food Services and Drinking Places” under NAICS code 722 or “Community meals, social services” under NAICS code 624210) may be counted toward up to 50 percent of the past purchase requirement (up to 750 meals and $12,500), so long as the applicant can produce invoices from restaurant donors verifying the number of meals and monetary value of the donated meals.
The organization has experienced increased costs as a result of the pandemic’s impacts, which may be demonstrated through means including, but not limited to increased levels of program service demand and delivery, uncompensated increases in service need, decreased revenue, or challenges covering payroll or other operating costs.

In addition, applicants must provide a list the restaurants that they anticipate purchasing from if they receive a SSNJ grant. In order to receive reimbursement, grantees may only purchase meals from restaurants that meet the following requirements:

Classified as “Food Services and Drinking Places” under NAICS code 722 or “Community meals, social services” under NAICS code 624210;
50 or fewer full-time equivalent (FTE) employees at time of application, based on the company’s Q4 2021 WR-30 filing with NJDOL. If a restaurant has zero FTE employees and is not required to submit a WR-30 to NJDOL, they may submit an IRS form 1040;
Physical commercial location in the State of New Jersey;
Be in good standing with the New Jersey Division of Taxation;
Be in good standing with the NJDOL;
If regulated by the Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC), in the Department of Law and Public Safety, be in good standing with ABC;
Check against SAM to ensure entity is not debarred; Current and valid certification from municipal and/or county government inspection that the restaurant has received a rating of Satisfactory as per New Jersey Retail Food Establishment Rating system; Attestation that the restaurant was in operation on June 4, 2021, and has been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 declared State of Emergency on March 9, 2020 (e.g., was temporarily shut down, was forced to reduce hours, has had a drop in revenue, has been materially impacted by employees who cannot work due to the outbreak, or has a supply chain that has materially been disrupted and therefore slowed firm-level production); and
Any additional eligibility requirements that may apply.

To demonstrate eligibility, restaurants will be required to submit:

Form attesting that the restaurant was in operation prior to June 4, 2021 and has been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 declared State of Emergency on March 9, 2020. After the applicant submits their Sustain & Serve NJ application, this form will be sent by NJEDA directly to restaurants listed in that application.
Current and valid certification from municipal and/or county government inspection that the restaurant has received a rating of Satisfactory as per New Jersey Retail Food Establishment Rating system.
If an entity does not file WR-30 forms with NJDOL, a copy of IRS form 1040 verifying the restaurant has no FTE employees.

Restaurants may not directly apply for this grant. Restaurants interested in the program can contact an entity with an established bulk meal purchasing and distribution program to discuss potential participation. A list of Phase 1 SSNJ grantees can be found here, Phase 2 grantees can be found here. Restaurants may also opt to have their business publicly listed. To list your restaurant, please fill out this form. Potential grant applicants may choose to refer to this registry and contact restaurants about participating in SSNJ. Inclusion on this list is not an endorsement from NJEDA. All parties are strongly advised to exercise due diligence. Current participating restaurants in Phase 2 of SSNJ may not be required to resubmit all eligibility documentation.

Community meal/social services entities classified under the NAICS code 624210 may apply directly for SSNJ and serve as grantee organizations. However, any grant applicant classified under NAICS code 624210 cannot also serve as a meal provider for their organization or for any other SSNJ applicant or grantee organization(s) (i.e., they cannot purchase meals from themselves and other grantees cannot purchase from them). Entities under NAICS code 624210 that choose to apply directly as a grantee organization must include in their application at least one other restaurant(s) from which they will purchase meals. Applicants classified under NAICS code 624210 may purchase meals from other entities under 624210, but they must not share an Employer Identification Number (EIN). Finally, entities under NAICS code 624210 that serve as meal providers (i.e., not a grantee) may work with one or more applicants.

Finally, businesses prohibited from eligibility include, but are not limited to: gambling or gaming activities; conduct or purveyance of “adult” (i.e., pornographic, lewd, prurient, obscene or otherwise similarly disreputable) activities, services, products or materials (including nude or semi-nude performances or the sale of sexual aids or devices); any auction or bankruptcy or fire or “lost-our-lease” or “going-out-of-business” or similar sale; sales by transient merchants, Christmas tree sales or other outdoor storage; any activity constituting a nuisance; or, any illegal purposes.

Eligible Uses

Under SSNJ, grant funding may be used for direct costs associated with bulk purchasing of meals that are projected to be incurred between date of grant execution and December 31, 2022 for: the restaurant’s food and ingredients costs; labor, packaging, and facilities; delivery fees charged by the restaurant; and any profit margin for the restaurant.

Up to 10% of a grant award may be used toward operational costs incurred by the grantee organization directly related to the implementation of SSNJ. Allowable operational costs include: staff salaries and fringe (proportionate to the amount of staff time dedicated to the program), mileage for meal deliveries completed by the grantee organization, payments to vendors that assist with monitoring and invoicing meal purchases (e.g., an accounting or professional services firm), and supplies needed to operate the program.

As part of the Serve and Sustain NJ Program requirements, the grantee is prohibited from reselling any meals purchased with grant funding and is prohibited from distributing meals to paid staff of the grantee organization.

Grant Amounts

Under SSNJ, the minimum available grant amount is $100,000 and the maximum available grant amount is $2 million. Grant awards are inclusive of both the cost of meal purchases (90 percent or more of an award) and operational costs (up to 10 percent of an award). Meal purchases will be reimbursed based on a flat rate per meal. Although there is no exclusion for entities purchasing meals from restaurants at more than $12 per meal, reimbursement by NJEDA will be capped at $12 per meal.

As part of the application for grant funding, entities will request a grant amount between $100,000 and $2 million. As part of that request, applicants may request up to 10 percent of that amount (up to $200,000) be used for eligible operational expenses. All other funds must support the direct cost of meal purchases. Applicants that spend less than 10 percent of their award on operating costs may dedicate remaining funds toward the purchase of more meals.

Once NJEDA receives all applications, if the total amount of grant funding requested among all eligible applications exceeds the $10 million available for SSNJ, NJEDA will prorate grant awards based upon the amount determined for each eligible applicant, reducing all grant awards to reflect an eligible applicant’s share of the available pool. If the pool of available funds cannot be prorated such that each eligible applicant would receive a minimum $100,000 award, NJEDA will split the funds equally across all eligible applicants.

Funding Disbursement

SSNJ is a reimbursement-based grant. For each grant award, the total amount will be disbursed incrementally as eligible expenses are incurred and disbursement is requested from NJEDA by the grantee. The disbursement requests must be evidenced by documentation showing that the expenses were actually incurred and consistent with eligible uses of grant funding (e.g., invoices from eligible restaurants demonstrating the quantity of meals purchased, the cost per meal, and the restaurant from which the meals were purchased; staff timesheets indicating time spent on SSNJ).

During the term of the grant, the grantee may seek to change or add participating restaurant(s) from which they may purchase meals and receive reimbursement through SSNJ. Requests for changes or additions to restaurants must be made in writing and will be reviewed by NJEDA.

Application Process

Online applications will be accepted from March 1, 2022 (12:00 PM) to April 1, 2022 (5:00 PM). All complete applications will be reviewed following the closure of the application period.

Applications for SSNJ are completed in three steps.

Interested nonprofits must submit an application, including a list of proposed restaurants.
Listed restaurants will then receive a short form directly from NJEDA, which each restaurant must complete and send to the interested nonprofit.
Interested nonprofits must review each restaurant’s submission, approve it, and sent to NJEDA. Approvals must be completed and submitted to NJEDA by the interested nonprofit before the application deadline.

Applicants should allow sufficient time for submission of both their own and their listed restaurants’ materials. Applicants that have not completed all three steps for at least one restaurant will be considered incomplete.

Fees

Due to financial hardship of the nonprofit organizations that are eligible applicants, NJEDA will collect no fees from the applicant for this program.

Additional Information

Additional information on the Sustain & Serve NJ Program may be found on the NJEDA’s website: https://www.njeda.gov/sustain-and-serve/.

If you need language assistance, please send NJEDA your name, spoken language and telephone number to languagehelp@njeda.com.

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NEW JERSEY COMMISSION ON SCIENCE, INNOVATION, AND TECHNOLOGY
Notice of Funding Availability
Round 4, Direct Financial Assistance Grant for Businesses Engaged in the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer Program (STTR) Federal Programs

The New Jersey Commission on Science, Innovation and Technology (CSIT) expects to launch an online application for the Direct Financial Assistance Grant for Businesses Engaged in the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Federal Programs at 9:00 am on October 3, 2022 at www.njeda.gov/csit. The application will be open through November 14, 2022 at 5pm. This is a competitive grant. No fees will be charged for this program. Decisions on this grant award are expected to be made by the CSIT Board by January 2023.
The Direct Financial Assistance Grant for Businesses Engaged in the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Federal Programs has a total budget of $1,000,000 and will offer two grant components:

$25,000 Direct Funding for 20 SBIR/STTR Phase I, Fast Track or Direct to Phase II award/contract winners (“Direct Funding”).
$50,000 Bridge Funding for 10 SBIR/STTR Phase II applicants (“Bridge Funding”).

Applicants to the Round 4, CSIT Direct Financial Assistance SBIR/STTR Program may only apply for one component (either a Direct Funding or Bridge Funding). CSIT reserves the right to reallocate funds between the two components of the Direct Financial Assistance programs.

Purpose
The purpose of the CSIT established SBIR/STTR support program in New Jersey, is to enhance the State’s innovative economy by providing technical and financial support to small businesses seeking to or participating in the Federal SBIR/STTR program. These are highly competitive three-phase award programs, which provide qualified small businesses opportunities to propose innovative ideas that meet the specific research and development needs of the Federal government. The goals of the programs are to:

Stimulate technological innovation
Meet Federal research and development needs
Foster and encourage participation in innovation and entrepreneurship by women and socially or economically disadvantaged populations
Increase private-sector commercialization of innovations derived from Federal research and development funding.

Direct Funding for SBIR/STTR Phase I, Fast Track or Direct to Phase II Federal Applicants:
Phase I of the Federal SBIR/STTR program is intended to establish technical merit, feasibility, and commercial potential of the proposed research and development efforts. Federal Phase I awards normally do not exceed $150,000 in total costs for six months. To help New Jersey Phase I, Fast Track or Direct to Phase II award/contract winners increase intensity of research, strengthen commercialization plans, cover operational expenses, and become more competitive for Phase II funding, CSIT will provide a grant of $25,000 to New Jersey small businesses that receive a Phase I, Fast Track or Direct to Phase II award/contract. The grant funding is intended to reduce the financial burden on these growing small businesses and improve their chances of applying and winning Phase II awards. The grant will be flexible to help cover general operational expenses.

Bridge Funding for Phase II Federal Applicants:
The gap between application and award notice for Phase II of the Federal SBIR/STTR program can be up to six months and it is during this period that small businesses often struggle to secure funding and maintain operations. CSIT will offer funding of $50,000 to New Jersey small businesses that have successfully completed Phase I of Federal SBIR/STTR program and have applied for Phase II funding. The funding is intended to enable these businesses to maintain operations while waiting on Phase II awards.

Overview
Overall, the SBIR/STTR Direct Financial Assistance Grant Program has three objectives; all of which help grow the innovation economy in New Jersey:
i. Increase the success rate of New Jersey grant applicants seeking Federal funding for SBIR/STTR programs.
ii. Reduce the financial burden for small New Jersey companies that have won Phase 1, a SBIR/STTR Fast Track or a Direct to Phase II award of the Federal SBIR/STTR program.
iii. Increase success and maximize growth of small New Jersey companies in moving from Phase I to Phase II of the SBIR/STTR Federal program.

Program Details
Grants will be awarded on a competitive basis, with awards going to the highest scoring applicants. All materials must be submitted after October 3, 2022 at 9 am and before the grant application deadline on November 14, 2022 at 5:00pm.

Each approved grant will be valid for a period of 12 months starting from date of the execution of the grant agreement.

Eligibility
All applicants must meet eligibility criteria at time of application and must maintain eligibility during the period of application review in order to be considered for an award.
Applicants should send a notification to csitsbir@njeda.com if there are any changes to their eligibility status after submission of an application and prior to any award notification.
Eligibility requirements must also be maintained during the grant term for awarded applicants and will be specified in the grant agreement.

To Be Eligible Direct Funding for Phase I, Fast Track or Direct to Phase II Federal Awardees Must:

Provide a current New Jersey Tax Clearance Certificate listing New Jersey Commission on Science, Innovation and Technology. All certificates listing another state agency will be rejected.
Have a minimum of one full-time employee (working a minimum of 35-hours per week). A founder can be counted as an employee; an employee may be paid or unpaid.
Fifty percent or more of the cumulative hours worked by all employees, founders, and contractors must be conducted in New Jersey (as calculated on an full-time employee basis of 35 hours per week).
The primary place of performance on the Federal SBIR/STTR grant or contract award is a New Jersey address.
Be a recipient of a Federal SBIR/STTR Phase I, Fast Track or Direct to Phase II grant or contract award within the last two years prior to the issuance of this Notice of Funding Availability.
The applicant cannot have been awarded more than five Federal SBIR/STTR grants or contracts (Phase I, Fast-track, Direct to Phase II combined) throughout the lifetime of the company.
Certify compliance with the New Jersey Conflicts of Interest Law, N.J.S.A. 52:13D-12, et. seq.
Applicants must be in good standing with both DOL and DEP.As part of the review process, CSIT conducts sister agency checks with the New Jersey Department of Labor (DOL) and Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) on all completed applications.

To Be Eligible Bridge Funding for Phase II Federal Applicants Must:

Provide a current New Jersey Tax Clearance Certificate listing New Jersey Commission on Science, Innovation and Technology. All certificates listing another state agency will be rejected.
Have a minimum of one full-time employee (working a minimum of 35-hours per week). A founder can be counted as an employee; an employee may be paid or unpaid.
Fifty percent or more of the cumulative hours worked by all employees, founders, and contractors must be conducted in New Jersey (as calculated on a full-time employee basis of 35 hours per week).
The primary place of performance on the Federal Phase II SBIR/STTR project submission is a New Jersey address.
Be a previous Federal SBIR/STTR Phase I grant or contract award recipient within the last two years prior to the issuance of this Notice of Funding Availability that has successfully completed a Phase I Federal SBIR/STTR program, submitted a Phase II SBIR/STTR application, and not yet received a Federal response on their Phase II application.
The applicant cannot have been awarded more than five Federal SBIR/STTR grants or contracts (Phase I, Fast-track or Direct to Phase II combined) and four Federal Phase II SBIR/STTR grants or contracts throughout the lifetime of the company.
Certify compliance with the New Jersey Conflicts of Interest Law, N.J.S.A. 52:13D-12, et. seq.
Applicants must be in good standing with both DOL and DEP.As part of the review process, CSIT conducts sister agency checks with the New Jersey Department of Labor (DOL) and Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) on all completed applications.

Scoring Criteria

All complete applications will be scored against the scoring criteria listed below and a summary of scored applications will be forwarded to the CSIT Program Committee. The Program Committee will review scored applications and make funding recommendations to the CSIT Board. The CSIT Board will make the final decision on grant winners.

Percentage of employees in New Jersey (up to 20 points¹).
Primary place of business/research and development (R&D) located within an Opportunity Zone census tract or primary place of business/R&D located within Trenton, Paterson, or Atlantic City (15 points).
Company with technology that came out of any New Jersey university with an executed license agreement (15 points).
First time applying for a CSIT Direct Funding or Bridge Funding grant (10 points).
First time federal SBIR/STTR awardees (direct funding)/ first time federal Phase II submitters (bridge funding) (10 points)
New Jersey Certified Women-owned Business (10 points).
New Jersey Certified Minority-owned Business (10 points).
New Jersey Certified Veteran-owned Business (10 points).

¹ (100 percent of employees in New Jersey = 20 points; between 75 percent and 99 percent = 15 points; between 50 percent and 74 percent =10 points; and less than 49 percent = 0 points.)

Eligible Uses
SBIR/STTR Direct Financial Assistance Grant Program funding can be used to maintain project activities and cover general operating costs.

Grant Amounts
Eligible applicants can receive grant awards of $25,000 for Direct Funding and $50,000 for Bridge Grants.

Application Process

The application will open at 9:00 am on October 3, 2022 at www.njeda.gov/csit and close on November 14, 2022 at 5:00 pm. In addition to the online application form, Direct Funding Grant applications for Phase I, Fast Track and Direct to Phase II winners must provide the following documentation:

Copy of Federal Phase I, Fast Track or Direct to Phase II Award Letter/Contract from a participating Federal agency dated within the past two years of the issuance of this Notice of Funding Availability.
Copy of the accepted Phase I, Fast Track or Direct to Phase II proposal submitted to participating Federal agency in response to a specific Federal solicitation.
Employee information as appropriate for applicable company structure and staffing (i.e., most recent New Jersey WR-30 (for W2 employees) or 1099 (for contractors)); as well as a shareholder agreement, K-1, or offer letters. Please note that if a Professional Employment Organization (PEO) is utilized, the applicant must submit confirmation of PEO-A form issued by the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development. These confirmations are issued on an annual basis and are valid for one year. See https://www.nj.gov/labor/ea/employer-services/leasing-companies/ for additional information on PEOs.
Summary of most recent internal payroll (Q2 2022 or Q3 2022) indicating each employee name and number of hours worked per week.
Current New Jersey Tax Clearance Certificate listing New Jersey Commission on Science, Innovation and Technology. See https://www16.state.nj.us/NJ_PREMIER_EBIZ/jsp/home.jsp. All certificates listing another state agency will be rejected.
If applicable, copy of Veteran-owned, Minority-owned, or Women-owned Business Certification. https://www.njportal.com/DOR/SBERegistry/Default/.
Completed application certifications.
Completed CSIT legal debarment questionnaire.

In addition to the online application form, Bridge Funding for Phase II applicants shall provide the following documentation:

Copy of Federal Phase I SBIR/STTR Award/Contract from a participating Federal agency dated within the past two years of the issuance of this Notice of Funding Availability.
Copy of the Phase I final report and confirmation of agency acceptance.
Proof of Federal Phase II SBIR/STTR application submission: documentation showing that Phase II SBIR/STTR proposal has been submitted to and received by the participating Federal agency. Example:
- A copy of the Phase II SBIR/STTR proposal submitted to sponsoring agency and
- Written or electronic notification from the agency confirming date of proposal receipt.
Employee information as appropriate for applicable company structure and staffing (i.e., most recent New Jersey WR-30 (for W2 employees) or 1099 (for contractors); as well as shareholder agreement, K-1, or offer letters. Please note that if a Professional Employment Organization (PEO) is utilized, the applicant must submit confirmation of PEO-A form issued by the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development. These confirmations are issued on an annual basis and are valid for one year. See https://www.nj.gov/labor/ea/employer-services/leasing-companies/ for additional information on PEOs.
Summary of most recent internal payroll (Q2 2022 or Q3 2022) indicating each employee name and number of hours worked per week.
Current New Jersey Tax Clearance Certificate listing New Jersey Commission on Science, Innovation and Technology. See https://www16.state.nj.us/NJ_PREMIER_EBIZ/jsp/home.jsp. All certificates listing another state agency will be rejected.
If applicable, copy of Veteran-owned, Minority-owned, or Women-owned Business Certification. https://www.njportal.com/DOR/SBERegistry/Default/.
Completed application certifications.
Completed CSIT legal debarment questionnaire.

The following steps detail the application submission process:

A document completeness review will be done on a rolling basis as applications are received.
Applicants with missing documentation will be notified and given 10 business days to submit missing documents.
After the missing documentation deadline, only complete applications will be evaluated and scored.
A score will be assigned to each application.
Grants will be awarded to the top 20 applications with the highest overall scores for Phase I Direct Funding awards.
Grants will be awarded to the top 10 applications with the highest overall scores for Phase II Bridge awards.

Board Approval
The CSIT Board will make the final decision on grant award winners.

Fees
No fees will be collected by CSIT for this program.

Additional Information
Grant award agreements will require that the awardee’s employees and consultants conduct at least 50 percent of the company’s work (calculated on a full-time basis, 35 hours) in New Jersey for a period of three years from the effective date of the Grant Agreement. Failure to comply will trigger a requirement that the awardee make full re-payment of the grant award.

All grant awardees must report economic impact data to CSIT for a period of two years from the anniversary of the grant agreement completion of the project by submitting an Economic Impact Questionnaire provided by CSIT.

All grant awardees are asked to commit to participate in future CSIT/NJEDA alumni activities, such as serving as a panel member or participating in interviews about program experience.

Confidentiality
Applications received will be reviewed only by staff of CSIT, NJEDA, participating universities/colleges, federal labs, and non-profit organizations. All applications submitted will be subject to requests for disclosure, including but not limited to requests pursuant to the Open Public Records Act (“OPRA”), N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1 et seq. If the applicant believes that information contained in its proposal merits confidential treatment pursuant to OPRA, any such purportedly confidential information submitted must be specifically identified and marked by the applicant as such.

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New Jersey Commission on Science, Innovation and Technology
Notice of Funding Availability
Clean Tech Seed Grant Program – Round 2

1. INTENT/SUMMARY

This grant opportunity is issued by the New Jersey Commission on Science, Innovation and Technology (CSIT) in collaboration with the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA), seeking applications from qualified Applicants for Round 2 of the Pilot Clean Tech Seed Grant Program (Program) to support early stage entrepreneurs in the State.

2. PROGRAM SUMMARY

The Clean Tech Seed Grant Pilot Program has a total budget of $1,500,000 for awards. Funding for the Program is provided by the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU). The Program will be implemented by the CSIT, and administrative and technical support will be provided by NJEDA staff.

The goal of the Program is to help New Jersey-based early stage clean tech/clean energy companies accelerate development and innovation of clean technologies to transform new discoveries from research stage into commercially viable technologies, leading to industry and investor interest.

An initial round of the Program was launched in February 2021 and ten (10) grants totaling

$747,964 were awarded to New Jersey-based companies engaged in clean tech/clean energy research and development. The program had been oversubscribed by a factor of two indicating increased demand by relevant startup companies.

3. TARGET INDUSTRIES

Chemicals/Advance Materials
- Energy Distribution/Storage
- Energy Efficiency
- Energy Generation
- Green Buildings
- Transportation
- Waste Processing
- Water and Agriculture

The Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) are a method of estimating technology maturity. The TRL scale ranges from 1 (basic principle observed) through 9 (total system used successfully in project operations). Applicants are requested to use the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) Technology and Commercialization Readiness Calculator tool included in the Technical Proposal to determine TRL score

All Applicants for the Clean Tech Seed Grant Pilot Program should be between a minimum technology development level of TRL 2 (applied research) and maximum of TRL 7 (Full- scale, similar (prototypical) system demonstrated in relevant environment), based on the Department of Energy definitions (Attachment A).

4. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

Each Applicant to the Clean Tech Seed Grant Pilot Program must meet the following eligibility criteria at the time of application and throughout the review process.

Authorized and in good standing to conduct business in New Jersey as evidenced by a New Jersey current New Jersey tax clearance certificate
- Have a minimum of one (1) full-time equivalent employee (FTE) including founders; with at least one employee working 50% of their time on the project being proposed
- 50% or more of the work of its employees, including founders and contractors conducted in NJ (calculated on an FTE basis – 35 hrs. per week)
- 50% or more of employees, including founders/contractors live or pay withholding taxes in NJ
- Company has less than two million dollars ($2,000,000) in prior third-party funding over its lifetime (excluding government grants)

Company has less than five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000) in previous calendar year sales revenue

Please note, previous grant awardees from Round 1 of the Clean Tech Seed Grant Pilot Program are not eligible to apply for Round 2 of the Program.

5. PROJECT SIZE, USE OF FUNDS AND DISBURSEMENTS

Eligible applicants can propose a project of up to one year in duration and with a maximum budget of $75,000. An extension for up to an additional 3 months may be permitted and will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Please note that CSIT reserves the right to make changes to budget submissions if there are any proposed expenditures outside the scope of the Program.

The Clean Tech Seed Grant Pilot Program funds are intended for specific, early-stage clean tech/clean energy-related development projects (Projects). All expenses submitted as part of the budget proposal should be specifically related to the particular Project for which this grant is sought.

The following expense categories are ineligible for funding the Program:

Travel, entertainment, and other similar expenses
- Allocations of general overhead expenses
- Any expenditures incurred before the “Effective date” the date representing the last date of execution of the Grant Agreement by the Parties.
- Any expenses for equipment and materials that Applicant does not expect to use predominantly for the Project during the Project period
- Fees related to Conferences not associated with the Project

In addition, no more than 30% of the budget proposed for the Project, in the aggregate, may be spent on:

Marketing and customer discovery specific to the innovation
IP patent prosecution and licensing-related expenses
Conference registration fees

Disbursement of funds

Eighty percent (80%) of the approved Project budget request will be disbursed upon execution of the Grant Agreement following the award, and the remaining twenty percent (20%) will be disbursed after the submission of an approved Project Completion report to CSIT.

6. REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION

All applications to the Clean Tech Seed Grant Pilot Program must include the following documentation:

Completed online application

Budget and Milestone Proposals (use attached Excel templates)

Uploaded results from Technology and Readiness Technology Calculator Excel file (link from Technical Proposal)

Employee information as appropriate for applicable company structure and staffing -i.e. most recent NJ WR-30 (W2 employees) or 1099 (contractors), Shareholder Agreement or K-1 or offer letters. Please note that if a Professional Employment Organization (PEO) is utilized, the Applicant must submit confirmation of PEO-A form issued by the NJ Department of Labor (DOL), These confirmations are issued on an annual basis and are valid for a year. See https://www.nj.gov/labor/ea/employer-services/leasing-companies/ for additional information on PEOs.

Summary of most recent Internal Payroll indicating each employee name, including founders and number of hours worked per week.

Most recent Company tax filing; Federal 941 and either an NJ-CBT-100 (Schedule A), Form- 1065 or Form -1040 (Schedule C) or whichever is applicable to the organizational form of your business, showing the total Gross Receipts or Sales for the year.

Current NJ tax clearance certificate (listing New Jersey Commission on Science, Innovation and Technology). See https://www16.state.nj.us/NJ_PREMIER_EBIZ/jsp/home.jsp. All certificates listing another state agency will be rejected.

If applicable, copy of Women and/or Minority owned business NJ certification https://www.njportal.com/DOR/SBERegistry/Default/

Signed Application Certification

Completed CSIT Legal Debarment Questionnaire

7. APPLICATION AND EVALUATION PROCESS

Applications to the Program shall be submitted using CSIT’s online application Portal. The application window will be open for a period of eight (8) weeks. Access to the application Portal can be found on the CSIT’s Program page (https://www.njeda.gov/about/Public- Information/CSIT )

The application Portal will be open from Monday, January 24th 2022, at 10AM to Monday March 21st 2022 at 5PM EST
All interested applicants must complete and submit their applications online through the Portal by the deadline in order to be considered for the Program
The online application will enable applicants to provide an electronic Application Certification by uploading a signed PDF. However, if an applicant prefers not to provide an electronic Application Certification, the applicant may:
1. Mail a hard copy of the signed Application Certification postmarked by the application deadline to CSIT at:
  Commission on Science, Innovation and Technology Attn: Judith Sheft (Executive Director)
  36 W State Street PO Box 990
  Trenton, NJ 08625

AND

Email CSIT with the subject line: “MAILED Application Certification Clean Tech Seed Grant Program” indicating that the certification document has been mailed. Only the signed CSIT Application Certification should be mailed; the rest of the application must be submitted through the online system.

Please note that if an applicant chooses to mail a hard copy of the application certification, the application will only be considered complete once the original signed CSIT application certification post marked by the application deadline is received by CSIT.

CSIT will host an informational webinar on the Clean Tech Seed Grant Program and a recording of the Webinar will be posted on the CSIT’s webpage. The webinar will be hosted on the week of January 24th, 2022. Information on registration for the Webinar can be found on CSIT’s webpage.

All submitted applications will be reviewed for document completeness and compliance on a rolling basis. Following the completeness review, applicants with missing documentation will receive an email notification from CSIT to submit or re-submit any missing or incomplete required documentation by 5PM. on the 10th business day following the day on which it receives such notification (Extension Time).

Applicant’s should submit missing documentation electronically to csit@njeda.com with the email subject line “Round 2, Clean Tech Seed Grant Pilot Program-Missing Documentation Submission- [Company Name]”.

After the Applicant’s Extension Time, any application that does not include ALL of the documents specified or contain documents that have not been completed will be considered incomplete and will not be evaluated. Only complete applications will be evaluated and scored.

Due to COVID-19, it may take longer than usual for Applicants to obtain certain NJ state documents (NJ Business Registration Certificate, NJ Tax Clearance Certificate, and Minority/Woman Owned Business Certification)

If an Applicant has attempted to obtain the missing NJ state documents and has not received them by the extension time, the Applicant may provide correspondence or receipts that demonstrate the attempt to obtain the missing documents to enable the application to be deemed complete for scoring purposes only
The required missing documentation MUST be submitted before any recommendation of an award will be made with respect to that Applicant

Evaluation process

External reviewers from industry and academia shall serve as Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) and provide input in the evaluation of the technical and business merit of the proposals. All SMEs will be pre-screened for potential conflicts of interest, will be required to sign confidentiality agreements, and will serve on an unpaid, volunteer basis. The SMEs will review the Technical proposals of each application and provide qualitative comments to the Evaluation Committee.

The Evaluation Committee, consisting of CSIT and NJEDA staff, will score each application against the basic and bonus point scoring criteria outlined below, taking into consideration the insights from the SMEs. As part of the process, all complete Applicants will be invited to make a brief presentation about their project and submission to the evaluation committee and SME’s. The Evaluation Committee may also contact and engage applicants for clarifying comments on their Technical proposal or Budget submissions. Please note these communications will be only for clarification purposes only; Applicants will not be allowed to submit any new information pertaining to their application.

At the end of the review period, the Evaluation Committee will provide to CSIT the results of each scored application with summary notes, which will be forwarded to the CSIT Program Committee.

The Program Committee will review all scored applications and make recommendations to the CSIT Board for grant awards. The CSIT Board will make final decision on grant winners.

Grant winners will be required to execute a Grant Agreement outlining the funding amount, terms, and conditions of the grant. Grant funds will not be disbursed until the execution of such Grant Agreement by the Applicant and the CSIT.

8. SCORING CRITERIA

The Technical Proposal, Budget and Milestone Proposal of all complete applications will be evaluated, and points will be awarded, based on the following criteria:

Innovation (up to 30 points)
Market Opportunity (up to 10 points)
Implementation Plan (Budget and Milestones) (up to 20 points)
Go-to-Market strategy (up to 10 points)
Economic and Environmental Impact (up to 10 points)
Team (up to 20 points)

All complete applications will be evaluated and scored against the above criteria and assigned a score; however, to be considered for an award, the application must receive an aggregate minimum score of 70 points on the above criteria.

Bonus Points (only awarded to applicants that meet the minimum score)

Technology from NJ university-as evidenced by an executed License agreement (15 points)
Minority-owned company (10 points)
Women- owned company (10 points)
Primary place of Business or R&D space located within an eligible opportunity zones census tract in New Jersey. (5 points)

At least one award will be reserved for an Applicant that is a women-owned company as certified by the State of NJ and one award will be reserved for an Applicant that is Minority-owned as certified by the state of NJ. If no women-owned or minority-owned businesses apply or receive the minimum score required for an award, then the set aside award will be included in the total budget available awards to all applicants.

9. OTHER TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Grant awardees will agree that its employees; including founders and consultants will conduct at least 50% of the company’s work (calculated on an FTE basis) in New Jersey for a period of three (3) years from the effective date of the Grant Agreement; failure to comply will trigger a requirement that the applicant make full re-payment of the grant award within sixty (60) days following such failure of compliance, or as otherwise stated in the Grant Agreement.

All grant awardees must commit to report economic impact data to CSIT upon the completion of program for a period of five (5) years as will be outlined in the Grant Agreement and by periodically submitting an Economic Impact Questionnaire provided by CSIT.

All grant awardees must commit to participate in future CSIT/NJEDA/BPU alumni activities such as serving as a panel member or participating in interviews about Program experience.

10. QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Questions and inquiries concerning this Notice of Funding will be accepted through the application deadline and should be submitted via e-mail to csit@njeda.com. The subject line of the e-mail should state: “Round 2 CSIT Clean Tech Seed Grant Program”.
As noted above, CSIT will host a Webinar on the Program, and Applicants will also have an opportunity to ask questions at that time. A recording of the Webinar and registration details will be available on CSIT’s website
All questions received and answers provided in response to this Notice of Funding will be answered in the form of a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document, which will be posted and continuously updated on CSIT’s website

11. CONFIDENTIALITY

Applications received will be reviewed only by staff of CSIT, NJEDA and NJBPU, together with the SMEs. All proposals submitted will be subject to requests for disclosure, including but not limited to, a request pursuant to the Open Public Records Act (“OPRA”), N.J.S.A.

47:1A-1 et seq. If the applicant believes that information contained in its proposal merits confidential treatment pursuant to OPRA, any such purportedly confidential information submitted to the Authority shall be specifically identified and marked by the applicant.

Attachment A: Technology Readiness Levels (TRL)

TRL 1

Basic Research: Initial scientific research has been conducted. Principles are qualitatively postulated and observed. Focus is on new discovery rather than applications.

TRL 2

Applied Research: Initial practical applications are identified. Potential of material or process to solve a problem, satisfy a need, or find application is confirmed.

TRL 3

Critical Function or Proof of Concept Established: Applied research advances and early stage development begins. Studies and laboratory measurements validate analytical predictions of separate elements of the technology.

TRL 4

TRL 5

Laboratory Testing of Integrated/Semi-Integrated System: System Component and/or process validation is achieved in a relevant environment.

TRL 6

Prototype System Verified: System/process prototype demonstration in an operational environment (beta prototype system level).

TRL 7

Integrated Pilot System Demonstrated: System/process prototype demonstration in an operational environment (integrated pilot system level).

TRL 8

System Incorporated in Commercial Design: Actual system/process completed and qualified through test and demonstration (pre-commercial demonstration).

TRL 9

System Proven and Ready for Full Commercial Deployment: Actual system proven through successful operations in operating environment, and ready for full commercial deployment.

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New Jersey Arts and Innovation Festival Challenge Grant
Notice of Funding Availability

The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) hereby announces the availability of grant funding under the New Jersey Arts and Innovation Festival Grant Program, with the purpose to serve as seed funding to explore the possibility of bringing an innovative music and technology festival to New Jersey. The funding is comprised of one (1) grant with (1) award of up to $2 million.

Applications will open on Thursday December 23, 2021 at 5:00 pm and will close on Thursday January 21, 2022 at 5:00pm. Applications will be accepted for thirty (30) calendar days after the opening of the application. Applications for this program will be accepted up to the closing date. Applications will be evaluated for completeness by Authority staff and scored by a committee. The highest scoring application will be recommended to the NJEDA Board for award.

Applications will be available and submitted online to the NJEDA at: www.njeda.gov/arts-and-innovation-festival-challenge

Overview

This funding opportunity is issued as part of Governor Phil Murphy’s campaign to build a stronger and fairer New Jersey and to facilitate growth of New Jersey as the State of Innovation with significant Investment in Communities. The NJEDA will create and administer the New Jersey Arts and Innovation Festival Challenge Grant to support a festival in New Jersey highlighting creative arts and innovative technologies.

This funding will support an event planning entity’s work to produce an arts and technology festival that will showcase the cutting edge of arts, technology, education, policy, research, and social impact that will be located in New Jersey. The festival will be a regional draw that will position New Jersey as a premier location for diverse creatives, entrepreneurs, and researchers to live, work, and play.

The New Jersey Arts and Innovation Festival Challenge Grant funding allocated in the Fiscal Year 2022 Appropriations Act was assigned to the Economic Recovery Fund in order to create the Challenge Grant program.

Purpose

The New Jersey Arts and Innovation Festival Challenge Grant will provide grant funding with one (1) award of up to $2,000,000 to a business or nonprofit with experience organizing large-scale events. The selected entity will use this funding, plus additional funds they raise independently of the NJEDA, to produce a festival to be held over two or more days with a proposed goal of holding the festival held in the Summer or Fall of 2022.

Eligible Uses

The sole use of this grant funding is to cover operational costs related to the management, production, and promotion of a New Jersey centered arts and innovation festival.

Grant Amounts

One grant award of up to $2,000,000 will be awarded based on approval by the NJEDA Board.

Notification of Award

The awardee will be notified following approval of the award by the NJEDA Board. The funds disbursement will be made after the execution of the grant documentation by both parties.

Funding Disbursement

Funding will be disbursed as follows:

First Tranche – $500,000 disbursed, post execution, within seven days of the receipt and approval of a spending plan for the initial disbursement of $500,000. The spending plan must identify major cost centers and spending targets related to booking costs, operational costs, and any normal and customary costs associated with the planning, production, and management of the festival.

Booking costs are described as:
- Funds required to secure contracts for the time and performance of individuals or groups who are identified by the grantee as major performers, presenters, or speakers at the proposed event.
- Funds required to secure contracts for use of a specific venue or venues, in a New Jersey municipality, where speaking events, arts, and/ innovation presentations, or artistic performance or support services will be held as part of the NJ Arts and Innovation Festival
Operating costs may include but are not limited to:
- Contract fees, contract payments, venue and/or equipment deposits, inventory, supplies, salaries, costs related to professional services, costs related to governmental fees, utilities payments, and other customary costs related to operations.
Normal and Customary costs are costs associated with the production and management of the festival that may not be traditionally associated with operating costs.

Second Tranche – Remaining funds up to a total of $1,500,000 to be disbursed in increments of no less than $100,000 and no greater than $500,000 for reimbursement of booking costs, operating costs, and normal and customary costs incurred in the production of the festival not covered by the initial disbursement.

Automated processes, where applicable, are being implemented to ensure the rapid issue of the disbursements.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicant eligibility is open to qualified applicants defined as:

For profit and nonprofit entities,
Registered to do business in New Jersey or holding a valid NJ Charitable Registration, and
With demonstrated experience organizing and executing at least one (1) event with an attendance of 5,000 or more in the last 7 years.

Applicants may submit only one application. The applicant will be the sole entity responsible for meeting the requirements of the grant agreement.

Applicants may add a strategic partner or partners whose experience, knowledge, skills and ability may provide an advantage in the production, management, and/or marketing of the festival. Strategic partners are distinct from contractors in that they may not be contracted for specific services, but instead will enter into agreements with the grant recipient to plan the festival and oversee spending of grant funds received. The strategic partnership must be recognized by a memorandum of understanding or a written agreement between the partner and the applicant and be included in the application. The strategic partner or partners’ prior experience will be considered for the purposes of awarding the grant.

The applicant will have the sole responsibility in the grant agreement for assuring the compliance of partners with all terms and conditions of the program. The applicant will be the sole recipient of the grant. Entities may only submit one proposal as primary applicant but may be included as strategic partners on other applications or as contractor for grantees. Once included in the proposal, any named strategic partner or partners cannot be changed without the prior written consent of the Authority.

Application Process

Applications will be accepted for 30 days after the opening of the application. All applications should propose an arts and innovation festival to be held in Summer or Fall 2022. The Applicant shall provide:

Proof of successful management, by applicant and/or strategic partner, of at least one (1) event that took place over two (2) or more days and included at least three (3) of the elements listed below.
- In order to achieve the highest possible score, applicants will need to provide proof of multiple events that they have managed with additional points being given to event hosted in New Jersey.
  - Live music performances or other live performances (i.e. poetry readings, speeches, plays)
  - Panel discussions
  - Keynote speakers of national significance (i.e. CEOs, political figures, award winning writers/performers/ researchers, advocacy champions, entrepreneurs)
  - Live tech demonstrations
  - Trade shows

Vision statement for NJ Arts and Innovation Festival that includes:
- Proposed dates and locations
- Proposed performers/speakers
- Proposed plan for advertising/promotion
- Proposed plan for partnering with host municipality/municipalities to provide free or subsidized tickets to residents of the host municipality/municipalities
- COVID-19 safety plan
- Diversity and inclusion statement
- Security plan
- Transportation/parking plan
Proposed budget
Key staff bios and resumes
Strategic Partner or Partners, as needed
Proposed key contractors, as needed
Proposed plan (fundraising plan) to fund any budgeted amount in excess of the $2,000,000 available through the NJEDA grant.

Submissions must contain, at a minimum, the required information identified below:

Completed Application Information Form and any additional information related to the Grant Fund Uses.
Completed Budget Estimate that demonstrates how the full project budget is being utilized. The budget must detail costs, which include, but are not limited to, labor costs, contract/technical services and support costs, and material costs. The budget must project out that the festival shall be executed within Summer or Fall 2022. The budget will be outlined in a budget schedule.
Signed agreement that the entity assumes all liability for the event and will indemnify, defend and hold harmless NJEDA for any action during the Arts and Innovation Festival.
Proof of ability to obtain appropriate insurance coverage as recommended by the Authority’s insurance broker in the form of a substantially similar insurance policy for an event the applicant has previously organized.
Strategic Partnership Memoranda of Understanding or Agreement (if relevant).
Current New Jersey Business Registration or New Jersey Charitable Registration

Fees

A non-refundable fee of $1,000 shall accompany every application.

Click here for full PDF

New Jersey Asset Activation Planning Grant
Notice of Funding Availability

The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) will begin accepting applications for the New Jersey Asset Activation Planning Grant at 10:00 a.m. EST July 26, 2022.The application can be accessed at https://www.njeda.gov/asset-activation-planning-grant. Applications will be accepted on a first come, first served basis during a 90-day period starting on July 26, 2022 or until grant funding is exhausted. Asset Activation program has been allocated a funding pool of $400,000. Grant awards of up to $50,000 are made to plan for activation of underutilized or unutilized public properties.

Purpose

The New Jersey Asset Activation Planning Grant Program will provide grants for pre-development planning work to demonstrate viability and prepare implementation of projects that will activate public assets and contribute to the local community and regional economy.

Overview

A history of shifting economic and development paradigms in New Jersey has left an array of underutilized properties and infrastructure throughout state in urban, suburban, and rural communities alike. Former assets are now liabilities that no longer meet the needs of modern New Jerseyans and will require innovative development to activate their potential and contribute to the State’s economy in an equitable way.

On March 9, 2022, the NJEDA Board approved the creation of the New Jersey Asset Activation Planning Grant Program, which established the New Jersey Asset Activation Planning Grant to fund projects up to $50,000 to plan for activation of underutilized or unutilized public properties. Using up to $400,000 of Economic Recovery Fund resources, this grant will invest in communities and make government work better – two major economic development priorities adopted by the NJEDA Board and laid out in Governor Murphy’s Economic Plan. The NJEDA will begin accepting applications for the Asset Activation Grant in July 26, 2022.

Eligibility

Qualified applicants for the New Jersey Asset Activation Planning Grant include municipalities,

counties, redevelopment agencies, independent authorities, non-profit entities, and private for-profit entities that meet additional criteria and hold a valid New Jersey tax clearance certificate.

Applicants may add strategic partners whose experience, knowledge, skills, and ability may provide an advantage in the production of analyses and reports.

The strategic partnership must be recognized by a signed memorandum of understanding or a written agreement between the partner and the applicant. The MOU or written agreement must be included in the completed application.

An applicant may only submit one application in a lead role, but may be included as a partner in additional applications where they play a non-lead role. Any named strategic partner or partners included in the proposal cannot be changed without the prior written consent of the Authority.

Private and nonprofit entities proposing projects in relation to public properties must provide a letter of approval from the chief executive of the public entities that hold ownership of the subject property. Assets owned by The State of New Jersey are not eligible . Assets owned by independent authorities, commissions, boards, or other entities of the State of New Jersey are eligible when accompanied by a letter of approval from the body’s CEO.

An award of grant funding does not imply approval of planning, analysis, use, sale, or divestment of any assets or property.

Applicants who are successfully awarded a grant will follow a uniform disbursement schedule. The lead entity will receive 50 percent of the grant amount upon execution of grant agreement, 25 percent upon submission of a mid-way progress report, and 25 percent upon completion and submission of a final plan and final progress report. At a minimum, the progress reports must include a summary of funds expended to date as well as a narrative detailing milestone achieved and overall progress toward completion of final plan.

Eligible Uses

Planning projects may include, but are not limited to:

Conceptual Design
Feasibility Study
Land-use Planning
Economic Analysis
Market Analysis
Legal Analysis

Grant Amounts

The maximum grant amount is $50,000.

Application Process

Online applications will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis based upon the date and time the NJEDA receives a completed application submission.

Applications for the New Jersey Asset Activation Planning Grant will be accepted on a rolling basis, reviewed, and scored on a first-in / first-out basis.

Applications will be accepted during a 90-day window or until grant funding is exhausted. To apply, an applicant must register, or log into the online application portal, complete all required application questions fully, and upload all required PDF document attachments. EDA staff will review applications in the order they are received for completeness and respond with any necessary rectifications to the application. The applicant will have 5 business days to cure any deficiencies, or the application will be withdrawn.

Each application must contain the following documents.

Required Application Information

A fully completed online application
New Jersey Tax Clearance Certificate
Religious Activities questionnaire (if applicable)
Signed Letter of Approval from the chief executive of the entity holding ownership of the subject property or asset must be digitally attached with the application
Completed Legal Questionnaire
Application Fee or fee waiver request? (unless waived).

Required Proposal Components of Application

Public Asset Description
Planning Project Details, including:
- Planning Activities
- Project Milestones
- Roles
- Public Engagement
- Grant need and budget
Asset Activation Merits, including:
- Asset challenges and considerations
- Regional market constrains and considerations
- Future uses, development, or activities at the site
- Connection to the State’s economic and development objectives
Background & Experience
Strategic Partners Memorandum of Understanding or written agreement (if applicable).

Applications deemed complete will be scored by a committee of EDA staff. Applications that meet a minimum score of 65 will be recommended to the EDA Board for grant funding.

Applications will be evaluated and scored based on:

Their “Asset Impact,” which demonstrates the magnitude of improved utilization a project will have on a public asset, the local community, and regional economy. (40 points)
The project’s purpose and merits, which address locality-specific needs and challenges that have precluded prior development of the asset, and a plan for long term viability of a project. (20 points)
The demonstration of the applicant’s previous experience with similar planning projects. (20 points)
Community Engagement aspects of the proposed planning work. (10 points)
Municipal Revitalization Index Score, which ranks New Jersey’s municipalities according to eight separate indicators that measure diverse aspects of social, economic, physical, and fiscal conditions in each locality. (10 points)

Fees

A $1000 application fee is required prior to review of the application.

An application fee waiver may be requested at the time of application for proposals led by municipalities or municipal authorities, boards, commissions or other municipal entities ranked in the top 10 percent of the Municipal Revitalization Index (MRI). Applicants will self-identify in the application as a municipality or municipal government entity requesting a waiver. Staff will determine if the entity meets the criteria for a waiver. Eligible entities will be granted a waiver for the program. Ineligible entities will be notified and a cure in the form of fees payment will be requested to complete the application.

Additional Information

Comprehensive information about the Asset Activation Grant Program is available at https://www.njeda.gov/asset-activation-planning-grant

Click here for full PDF

New Jersey Child Care Facilities Improvement Program – Phase 1
Notice of Funding Availability

The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA or Authority) expects to launch an
online application for the NJ Child Care Facilities Improvement Program – Phase 1 at 10 a.m.
on November 15, 2022 at https://www.njeda.com/child-care-improvement-program. NJEDA will
begin the review process for applications on a first come, first reviewed basis from when they
are initially submitted, beginning from the date and time the program application is open to the
public and until all funding is committed, or three (3) years after the date of application launch,
whichever is sooner. Applications will move through several stages of review with ongoing
communication between NJEDA staff and the applicant on a rolling basis.

Purpose

The NJ Child Care Facilities Improvement Program – Phase 1 provides grants between $50,000
and $200,000 to licensed New Jersey child care centers for facilities improvements that will
contribute to high quality early childhood learning environments. Child care providers may
propose interior and exterior facility improvements to enhance the quality of their program and
receive funding to cover the full costs of the project.

Overview

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of the child care sector as a critical
enabler of economic activity and recovery. Working families require reliable, safe, affordable,
accessible, and quality child care. However, the child care sector – both in New Jersey and
across the nation – faces complex challenges as the economy recovers.

In July 2021, the legislature passed and Governor Murphy signed S3990 into law as P.L. 2021,
c. 114, which appropriated $100 million of federal American Rescue Plan (ARP) State and Local
Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) funds to support child care providers and the child care workforce
through a number of initiatives, including providing grants for facilities improvements, technical
assistance, workforce development supports, and a study of the child care landscape in the state.
NJEDA received $54.5 million for grants for facility improvements and to provide technical
assistance to child care providers. This program will also use $4.45 million in state funds
appropriated in the fiscal year 2022 budget to support child care facility improvements. In Phase
1 of the Child Care Facilities Improvement Program, $14.45 million of combined state and federal
funds is available with the ability to increase up to $24.45 million based on demand.

Eligibility

During Phase 1, only licensed child care centers are eligible. Applicants must meet the following criteria:

Be child care centers licensed by the New Jersey Department of Children and Families (DCF) as of June 4, 2021 and offer full-time care for six hours or more per day for at least 10 months of the year. o Applicants may be for-profit businesses or non-profit organizations.

• Applicants may own or lease their space.

• Currently enroll, or have enrolled in the 12 months prior to the date of application, at least one child receiving support through the New Jersey Department of Human Services (DHS) Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP).

• Be in good standing with the New Jersey Departments of: o Labor and Workforce Development

Environmental Protection

Treasury (Division of Taxation)

Children and Families

Human Services.

• Not be debarred from receiving federal funds as indicated through the federal System for Award Management (SAM).

• If not already enrolled in Grow NJ Kids (GNJK), the NJ Quality Rating and Improvement System, applicants must commit to enroll within one year of executing a grant agreement with the NJEDA.

• Commit to maintaining their license with the Department of Children and Families (DCF) to provide care at the location of the facility improvement project for at least four years following the execution of a grant agreement with the NJEDA.

Applications will be limited to one application per DCF-licensed child care center (based on license number, which is licensed at a child care center

Eligible Uses

Under the NJ Child Care Facility Improvement Program – Phase 1, grants may be used for
prospective hard costs, soft costs, and/or furniture, fixtures, and equipment (FFE) associated
with eligible facilities improvements. Projects may include interior and exterior improvements
and a complete list of eligible uses can be found here. No more than 20 percent of a grant may
be used to support soft costs, which for this program are limited to architect fees, permit fees,
construction management, freight and shipping delivery, and environmental assessment.

Grants will cover the full project cost of the facility improvement(s), with a minimum eligible
project cost of $50,000 and a maximum eligible project cost of $200,000 per DCF-licensed child
care center. Applicants may not use external funding sources to fund the specific project(s)
proposed in this application. Grant awards will be calculated based on the quoted project cost of
the facility improvement, plus an additional 15 percent, which the grantee may use, upon
request and NJEDA verification, for unanticipated cost overruns.

All facility improvement projects must be conducted by New Jersey Department of Labor
Registered Public Works Contractors, which must abide by state prevailing wage and affirmative
action requirements and be registered at SAM.gov.

Grant Amounts

The minimum grant amount is $50,000 with a maximum award of $200,000 per Department of
Children and Families licensed child care center, plus an additional 15 percent, which the
grantee may use, upon request and NJEDA verification, for unanticipated cost overruns.

Application Process

Online applications will be accepted and reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis from the
date and time the program application is open to the public. Applications will be accepted until
all funding is exhausted or three years after the date of application launch, whichever is sooner.

Fees

Due to financial hardship experienced by child care providers during and emerging from the
pandemic, as well as in recognition of the fact that the child care industry operates under
extremely thin profit margins for which any of the Authority’s conventional fees could restrict the
ability of child care facilities to access this funding, no fees will be collected by the Authority for
this program.

Additional Information

Comprehensive information about the NJ Child Care Facilities Improvement Program – Phase 1
is available at www.njeda.com/child-care-improvement-program.

Click here for full PDF

New Jersey Commission on Science, Innovation and Technology

Notice of Funding for Catalyst Seed R&D Grant Program – Round 1

INTENT/SUMMARY

This grant opportunity is issued by the New Jersey Commission on Science, Innovation and Technology (CSIT) with support from the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA), seeking applications from qualified Applicants for a pilot Catalyst Seed R&D Grant Program (Program) to support early stage innovation-based entrepreneurs in the State.

PROGRAM SUMMARY

The Catalyst Seed R&D Grant Program has a total budget of $1,500,000 for awards. Applicants developing life sciences therapeutics can apply for grants of up to $150,000, all other Applicants are eligible to apply for grants of up to $75,000.

The goal of the Catalyst Seed R&D Grant Program is to help New Jersey-based early stage innovation-based companies accelerate development of technologies to transform new discoveries from research stage into commercially viable products and services. The grant funds should enable Applicants to make significant progress and have a meaningful impact on their commercialization outcomes. The Catalyst Seed R&D Grant program is a complement to the Clean Tech Seed R&D Grant Program and is targeted toward Applicants that are developing technologies that are not eligible for the Clean Tech Seed Grant Program.

TARGET INDUSTRIES

The Catalyst Seed R&D Grant Program is for companies conducting research and development or testing technologies in the following target areas:

Advanced Manufacturing
Advanced Transportation and Logistics
Film and Digital Media
Life Sciences – Therapeutic Drug Development
Life Sciences – Other
Non-Retail Food and Beverage
Professional and Financial Services
Technology

All Applicants for the Catalyst Seed R&D Grant Program should have achieved a demonstration of concept for their project proposed for funding.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

Each Applicant to the Catalyst Seed R&D Grant Program must meet the following eligibility criteria at the time of application and must maintain eligibility during the entire review period in order to be eligible for an award:

Authorized and in good standing to conduct business in New Jersey as evidenced by a current New Jersey tax clearance certificate
Have a minimum of one (1) full-time equivalent employee with at least one employee working 50% of their time on the project being proposed
50% or more of the work of its employees and contractors conducted in NJ (calculated on an FTE basis – 35 hrs. per week)
50% or more of employees/contractors live or pay withholding taxes in NJ
Company has less than two million dollars ($2,000,000) in prior third-party funding over its lifetime (excluding government grants)
Company has less than five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000) in previous calendar year sales revenue

PROJECT SIZE, USE OF FUNDS AND DISBURSEMENTS

Eligible Applicants proposing research and development projects in the Life Sciences area of drug development / therapeutics can propose a project of up to one year in duration and with a maximum budget of $150,000. An extension for up to an additional 3 months may be permitted and will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Other Applicants can propose projects of up to $75,000. An extension for up to an additional 3 months may be permitted and will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Applicants that are eligible to apply for the Clean Tech Seed Grant program because they are conducting research and development or testing technologies intended to avoid emissions of, or recapture greenhouse gases and/ or criteria pollutants, or to enable such avoidance or recapture are not eligible to apply for the Catalyst Seed R&D Grant.

Please note that CSIT reserves the right to make changes to budget submissions if there are any proposed expenditures outside the scope of the Program.

The Catalyst Seed R&D Grant Program funds are intended for specific, early-stage research and development projects (Projects). All expenses submitted as part of the budget proposal should be specifically related to the Project for which this grant is sought. The following expense categories are ineligible for funding from the Program:

Travel, entertainment, and other similar expenses
Allocations of general overhead expenses
Any expenditures incurred before the “Effective date”, the date representing the last date of execution of the Grant Agreement by the respective Parties
Any expenses for equipment and materials that Applicant does not use for the Project during the Project period
Fees related to Conferences not associated with the Project

In addition, no more than 30% of the budget proposed for the Project, in the aggregate, may be spent on:

Marketing and customer discovery specific to the innovation
IP patent prosecution and licensing-related expenses
Conference registration fees

Disbursement of funds

REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION

All applications to the Catalyst Seed Grant Program must include the following documentation:

Completed online application

Demonstration evidence that proof of concept has been achieved for the project. Submit one of the following:
- Description of the proof of concept results
- Published paper outlining results achieved
- Successful completion of a federal SBIR/STTR grant or contract related to the project
- Confirmation documentation from a university tech transfer office if the project relates to technology that has been developed at a university

Employee information as appropriate for applicable company structure and staffing -i.e. most recent NJ WR-30 (W2 employees) or 1099 (contractors), Shareholder Agreement or K-1, or offer letters. Please note that if a Professional Employment Organization (PEO) is utilized, the Applicant must submit confirmation of PEO-A form issued by the NJ Department of Labor (DOL), These confirmations are issued on an annual basis and are valid for a year. See https://www.nj.gov/labor/ea/employer-services/leasing-companies/ for additional information on PEOs.

Summary of most recent Internal Payroll (Q4 2020 or Q1 2021) indicating each employee name and number of hours worked per week.

Most recent Company tax filing; Federal 941 and either an NJ-CBT-100 (Schedule A), Form-1065 or Form -1040 (Schedule C) or whichever is applicable to the organizational form of your business, showing the total Gross Receipts or Sales for the year.

Current NJ tax clearance certificate (listing New Jersey Commission on Science, Innovation and Technology). See https://www16.state.nj.us/NJ_PREMIER_EBIZ/jsp/home.jsp. All certificates listing another state agency will be rejected.

If applicable, copy of Women and/or Minority owned business NJ certification https://www.njportal.com/DOR/SBERegistry/Default/

Signed Application Certification

Completed CSIT Legal Debarment Questionnaire

APPLICATION AND EVALUATION PROCESS

Applications to the Program shall be submitted using CSIT’s online application Portal. The application window will be open for a period of nine (9) weeks. Access to the application Portal can be found on the CSIT’s Program page (https://www.njeda.gov/about/Public-Information/CSIT)

i. The application Portal will be open from Monday, December 6, 2021 at 10a.m. to Monday January 31, 2022 at 5 p.m.,
ii. All interested applicants must complete and submit their applications online through the Portal by the deadline in order to be considered for the Program
iii. The online application will enable applicants to provide an electronic Application Certification by uploading a signed PDF. However, if an Applicant prefers not to provide an electronic Application Certification, the Applicant may:

Mail a hard copy of the signed Application Certification postmarked by the application deadline to CSIT at:

Commission on Science, Innovation and Technology

Attn: Judith Sheft (Executive Director)

36 W State Street

PO Box 990

Trenton, NJ 08625

AND

Email CSIT with the subject line: “MAILED Application Certification Catalyst Seed Grant Program” indicating that the certification document has been mailed. Only the signed CSIT Application Certification should be mailed; the rest of the application must be submitted through the online system.

Please note that if an Applicant chooses to mail a hard copy of the application certification, the application will only be considered complete once the original signed CSIT application certification post marked by the application deadline is received by CSIT.

CSIT will host an informational webinar on the Catalyst Seed R&D Grant Program and a recording of the Webinar will be posted on the CSIT’s webpage. The Webinar will be hosted during the week of December 6^th 2021. Information on registration for the Webinar can be found on CSIT’s webpage.

All submitted applications will be reviewed for document completeness and compliance on a rolling basis. Following the completeness review, applicants with missing documentation will receive an email notification from CSIT to submit or re-submit any missing or incomplete required documentation by 5 p.m. on the 10th business day following the day on which it receives such email notification (Extension Time).

Applicants should submit missing documentation electronically to csit@njeda.com with the email subject line “Catalyst Seed R&D Grant Program-Missing Documentation Submission-[Company Name]”.

Due to COVID-19, it may take longer than usual for Applicants to obtain certain NJ state documents (NJ Tax Clearance Certificate, and Minority/Woman Owned Business Certification)

If an Applicant has attempted to obtain the missing NJ state documents and has not received them by the extension time, the Applicant may provide correspondence or receipts that demonstrate the attempt to obtain the missing documents to enable the application to be deemed complete for scoring purposes only
The required missing documentation MUST be submitted before any recommendation of an award will be made with respect to that Applicant

Evaluation Process

The Evaluation Committee, consisting of CSIT and NJEDA staff, will score each application against the basic and bonus point scoring criteria outlined below, taking into consideration the insights from the SMEs. As part of the process, the Evaluation Committee may contact and engage applicants for clarifying comments on their Technical proposal or Budget submissions. Please note these communications will be only for clarification purposes only; Applicants will not be allowed to submit any new information pertaining to their application.

At the end of the review period, the Evaluation Committee will provide to CSIT the results of each scored application with summary notes, which will be forwarded to the CSIT Program Committee.

The Program Committee will review all scored applications and make recommendations to the CSIT Board for grant awards. The CSIT Board will make final decision on grant winners.

SCORING CRITERIA

The Technical Proposal, Budget and Milestone Proposal of all complete applications will be evaluated, and points will be awarded, based on the following criteria:

Innovation (up to 30 points)
Market Opportunity (up to 10 points)
Implementation Plan (Budget and Milestones) (up to 20 points)
Go-to-Market strategy (up to 10 points)
Economic Impact (up to 10 points)
Team (up to 20 points)

Bonus Points (only awarded to applicants that meet the minimum score)

Technology from NJ university-as evidenced by an executed License agreement (15 points)
Minority-owned company (10 points)
Women-owned company (10 points)
Primary place of Business or R&D space located within an eligible opportunity zones census tract in New Jersey. See https://nj.gov/governor/njopportunityzones/ (5 points)

At least one award will be reserved for an Applicant that is a women-owned company as certified by the State of NJ and one award will be reserved for an Applicant that is Minority-owned as certified by the state of NJ.

OTHER TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Grant awardees will agree that its employees and consultants will conduct at least 50% of the company’s work (calculated on an FTE basis) in New Jersey for a period of three (3) years from the effective date of the Grant Agreement; failure to comply will trigger a requirement that the applicant make full re-payment of the grant award within sixty (60) days following such failure of compliance, or as otherwise stated in the Grant Agreement.

All grant awardees must commit to participate in future CSIT/NJEDA alumni activities such as serving as a panel member or participating in interviews about Program experience.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Questions and inquiries concerning this Notice of Funding will be accepted through the application deadline and should be submitted via e-mail to csit@njeda.com. The subject line of the e-mail should state: “CSIT Catalyst Seed R&D Grant Program”.
As noted above, CSIT will host a Webinar during the week of December 6^th, 2021 on the Program, and Applicant Companies will also have an opportunity to ask questions at that time. A recording of the Webinar will be available on CSIT’s website
All questions received and answers provided in response to this Notice of Funding will be answered in the form of a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document, which will be posted and continuously updated on CSIT’s website

CONFIDENTIALITY

Applications received will be reviewed only by staff of CSIT and NJEDA, together with the SMEs. All proposals submitted will be subject to requests for disclosure, including but not limited to, a request pursuant to the Open Public Records Act (“OPRA”), N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1 et seq. If the applicant believes that information contained in its proposal merits confidential treatment pursuant to OPRA, any such purportedly confidential information submitted to CSIT shall be specifically identified and marked by the Applicant.

Click here for a full PDF version

NEW JERSEY COMMISSION ON SCIENCE, INNOVATION, AND TECHNOLOGY

Notice of Funding for

Round 3, Direct Financial Assistance Grant for businesses engaged in the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer Program (STTR) Federal Programs

1. INTENT / SUMMARY:

This grant opportunity is issued by the New Jersey Commission on Science, Innovation and Technology (CSIT) with support provided by the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) seeking applications from qualified Federal SBIR/STTR awardees/applicants for a direct financial assistance program providing (i) Direct Funding to Phase I, Fast Track, and Direct to Phase II awardees and (ii) Bridge Funding to Phase II applicants.

Program Summary

The purpose of the CSIT established SBIR/STTR Support Program in New Jersey, is to enhance the State’s innovative economy by providing technical and financial support to small businesses seeking to or participating in the Federal SBIR/STTR program. The program has operated on a pilot basis for two years and has two core components:

Technical Assistance and
Direct Financial Assistance

This Notice of Funding is for the Direct Financial Assistance component only. This component seeks to:

Provide Direct Funding to NJ small businesses that received a Federal Phase I, Fast Track or Direct to Phase II SBIR/STTR award or contract
Provide Bridge Funding to NJ small businesses that have successfully completed Phase I and have applied for Phase II of the Federal SBIR/STTR program

The grant funding can be utilized to maintain project activities and cover general operating costs.

2. FEDERAL PROGRAM BACKGROUND:

The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and the Small Business Technology Transfer Program (STTR) are highly competitive three-phase award programs, which provide qualified small businesses opportunities to propose innovative ideas that meet the specific research and development needs of the Federal government. The goals of the programs are to:

Stimulate technological innovation
- Meet Federal research and development needs
- Foster and encourage participation in innovation and entrepreneurship by women and

socially or economically disadvantaged populations

Increase private-sector commercialization of innovations derived from Federal research and development funding

NJ SBIR/STTR Support Program

In 2018, Governor Murphy, signed legislation that re-established the New Jersey Commission on Science, Innovation and Technology, formerly known as the New Jersey Commission on Science and Technology, to spur long-term planning, research and entrepreneurship in the Garden State. This program aligns with Governor Murphy’s vision of re- establishing NJ as an innovation leader and recognizing the role and importance of the State’s small businesses and higher education institutions in the innovation ecosystem and the economy.

The NJ SBIR/STTR Support Program builds on CSIT’s mandate of creating a vibrant innovation economy and supporting the growth of early-stage companies in NJ. An initial round of the Direct Financial Assistance component was launched in December 2019 and a second round in 2020. This 2021 Notice of Funding builds on the two previous rounds of the program by providing targeted resources for SBIR/STTR support in NJ to help small businesses attract more funding through Federal research grants and contracts.

Applicants should refer to this Notice of Funding (August 2021) for application and documentation requirements for the Round 3 of the Direct Financial Assistance Program.

Overall, the NJ SBIR/STTR Direct Financial Assistance Program has three objectives; all of which help grow the innovation economy in NJ:

Increase the success rate of NJ grant applications seeking Federal funding for SBIR/STTR programs
Reduce the financial burden for small NJ companies that have won Phase 1, a SBIR/STTR Fast Track or a Direct to Phase II award of the Federal SBIR/STTR program
Increase success and maximize growth of small NJ companies in moving from Phase I to Phase II of the SBIR/STTR Federal program

This Notice of Funding Direct Financial Assistance will offer two grant components with a total budget of $1,250,000:

$25,000 Direct Funding for thirty (30) SBIR/STTR Phase I, Fast Track or Direct to Phase II award/contract winners (“Direct Funding”)
$50,000 Bridge Funding for ten (10) SBIR/STTR Phase II applicants (“Bridge Funding”)

Please note that CSIT reserves the right to reallocate funds between the two components of the Direct Financial Assistance program.

Direct Funding for SBIR/STTR Phase I, Fast Track or Direct to Phase II Awardees: Phase I of the Federal SBIR/STTR program is intended to establish technical merit, feasibility, and commercial potential of the proposed R&D efforts. Federal Phase I awards normally do not exceed $150,000 total costs for six (6) months. To help NJ Phase I, Fast Track or Direct to Phase II award/contract winners increase intensity of research, strengthen commercialization plans, cover operational expenses and become more competitive for Phase II funding, CSIT will provide a grant of $25,000 to NJ small businesses that receive a Phase I, Fast Track or Direct to Phase II award/contract. The grant funding is intended to reduce the financial burden on these growing small businesses and improve their chances of applying and winning Phase II awards. The grant will be flexible to help cover general operational expenses.

Bridge Funding for Phase II Applicants:

The gap between application and award notice for Phase II of the Federal SBIR/STTR program can be up to six (6) months and it is during this period that small businesses often struggle to secure funding and maintain operations. CSIT will offer funding of $50,000 to NJ small businesses that have successfully completed Phase I of Federal SBIR/STTR program and have applied for Phase II funding. The funding is intended to enable NJ small businesses to maintain operations while waiting on Phase II awards.

Applicants to the Round 3, NJ CSIT Direct Financial Assistance SBIR/STTR Program can only apply for one component (either a Direct Funding or Bridge Funding).

3. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

All applicants must meet eligibility criteria at time of application and must maintain eligibility during the period of application review in order to be considered for an award.

Applicants should send a notification to csit@njeda.com if there are any changes to their eligibility status after submission of an application and prior to any award notification.

Eligibility requirements must also be maintained during the grant term for awarded applicants and will be specified in the grant agreement.

Direct Funding for Phase I, Fast Track or Direct to Phase II winners: All applicants must

meet the following eligibility criteria:

Be a NJ based small business (have a valid tax clearance certificate)
Be a recipient of a Federal SBIR/STTR Phase I, Fast Track or Direct to Phase II grant or contract award within the last two (2) years prior to the issuance of this Notice of Funding (August 9, 2021)
The applicant company cannot have been awarded more than 5 Federal SBIR/STTR grants or contracts (Phase I, Fast-track, Direct to Phase II combined) throughout the lifetime of the company
Have a NJ resident or employee designated as Principal Investigator/Project Manager for the duration of the CSIT grant
Have 50% or more full time equivalent employees working in NJ at the time of application as evidenced by employee documentation (fulltime/part-time employees and contractors)
The primary place of performance on the SBIR/STTR project award is a NJ address
The applicant company has not previously been awarded a CSIT SBIR/STTR Direct funding or Bridge funding grant within one year from this Notice of Funding issuance date (August 9, 2021)

Bridge Funding for Phase II Applicants: All applicants must meet the following eligibility criteria:

Be a NJ based small business (have a valid tax clearance certificate)
Be a previous Federal SBIR/STTR Phase I grant or contract award recipient within the last two (2) years prior to the issuance of this Notice of funding (August 9, 2021) that has successfully completed a Phase I Federal SBIR/STTR program, and submitted a Phase II SBIR/STTR application and has not received a Federal response yet on their Phase II application
The applicant company cannot have been awarded more than five (5) Federal SBIR/STTR grants or contracts (Phase I, Fast-track or Direct to Phase II combined) and four (4) Federal Phase II SBIR/STTR grants or contracts throughout the lifetime of the company
Have a NJ resident or employee designated as Principal Investigator/Project Manager for the duration of the CSIT grant
Have 75% or more full time equivalent employees working in NJ at the time of application as evidenced by employee documentation (fulltime and part-time employees and contractors)
The primary place of performance on the Phase II SBIR/STTR project submission is a NJ address
The applicant company has not previously been awarded a CSIT SBIR/STTR Direct funding or Bridge funding grant within one year from this Notice of Funding issuance date (August 9, 2021)

3. APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS AND REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION

Round 3 applications will be accepted from August 16, 2021 through October 8, 2021. All interested applicants must complete the online application by 4pm EST on October 8, 2021, in order to be considered.

Applicants must submit the application via the online application portal on the CSIT webpage – https://www.njeda.gov/csit/. Only completed electronic submissions will be accepted.

The online application enables an applicant to provide an electronic Application Certification by uploading a signed PDF (Please note that for an application to be considered complete, this document must be signed by the application deadline or applicable extension date following a completeness review.).

If an applicant prefers not to provide an electronic Application Certification, the applicant may:

Mail a hard copy of the signed Application Certification post marked by the application deadline to CSIT at:

Commission on Science, Innovation and Technology Attn: Judith Sheft (Executive Director)

P.O. Box 990

36 W State Street Trenton, NJ 08625

AND

Email CSIT with the subject line: “MAILED Application Certification SBIR/STTR Round 3” indicating that the certification document has been mailed. Only the signed CSIT Application Certification should be mailed; the rest of the application must be submitted through the online system.

PLEASE NOTE THAT APPLICATIONS WILL ONLY BE CONSIDERED COMPLETE ONCE THE ORIGINAL SIGNED CSIT APPLICATION CERTIFCATION POST MARKED BY THE APPLICATION DEADLINE OR APPLICABLE EXTENSION DATE FOLLOWING A COMPLETENESS REVIEW IS RECEIVED BY CSIT.

Required Documentation

This Notice of Funding will be posted on CSIT’s webpage (https://www.njeda.gov/about/Public- Information/CSIT). Eligible applicants should submit a completed online application with all supporting documentation to CSIT by the application deadline date.

As applications are received up to the application deadline date, they will be reviewed for completeness by CSIT staff. Applicants with missing documentation will receive an email notification from CSIT, following the completeness review, to re-submit any missing or incomplete required documentation within ten (10) business days of notice (extension date).

Applicants should submit missing documentation to csit@njeda.com within the resubmission timeframe with the email subject line “Round 3 SBIR/STTR Program_Missing Documentation Submission_Company Name”.

Due to the COVID pandemic, it may take longer than usual for applicants to obtain certain NJ state documents (NJ Tax Clearance Certificate, and Minority/Woman Owned Business Certification). If an applicant has attempted to obtain the missing NJ state documents and has not received them by the extension date the applicant may provide correspondence or receipts that demonstrate the attempt to obtain the missing documents to enable the application to be deemed complete for scoring purposes only. The missing documentation MUST be submitted before any recommendation of an award will be made to that applicant.

If after an email notification for missing documents from csit@njeda.com is sent to applicants and the requested documents are NOT submitted by the extension date, CSIT will consider the application as incomplete; the application will not be scored and will be rejected. Only complete applications after the document extension deadline will be evaluated and scored.

In addition to the online application form, Direct Funding Grant applications for Phase I, Fast Track and Direct to Phase II winners must include the following documentation:

Copy of Federal Phase I, Fast Track or Direct to Phase II Award Letter/Contract from a participating Federal Agency dated within the past two (2) years of the issuance of this Notice of Funding
Copy of the accepted Phase I, Fast Track or Direct to Phase II proposal submitted to participating Federal Agency in response to a specific Federal solicitation

NJ Tax Clearance Certificate (listing Commission on Science, Innovation and Technology) https://www16.state.nj.us/NJ_PREMIER_EBIZ/jsp/home.jsp (Please note that the tax clearance certificate will need to be renewed every 6 months) Any certificates listing an agency other than NJ CSIT will be rejected

Completed employee log (template provided on online portal) and associated employee information as appropriate for applicable company structure – i.e. most recent NJ WR-30 (W2 employees) or 1099 (contractors), Shareholder Agreement or K-1. Please note, if a Professional Employment Organization (PEO) is utilized the PEO must submit confirmation of PEO-A form issued by NJ Department of Labor (DOL). These confirmations are issued on an annual basis and are valid for a year. https://www.nj.gov/labor/ea/employer-services/leasing-companies/

State or federal issued identification or proof of NJ residency or employment for Principal Investigator/Project Manager
Copy of Page on SBIR/STTR proposal, award or contract showing Primary Place of Performance for the project as a NJ address

Signed CSIT Application Certification

If applicable, copy of NJ minority and/ or women owned certification (if applicable): https://www.nj.gov/njbusiness/documents/contracting/NEW%20MBE- WBE%20%20Web%20Application%20JAN_2012.pdf

BECAUSE SOME STATE SYSTEMS HAVE EXPERIENCED LONGER THAN USUAL PROCESSING TIMES DUE TO COVID-19, APPLICANTS ARE ENCOURAGED TO OBTAIN COPIES OF NJ DOUMENTATION EARLY IN THE PROCESS OF COMPLETING THEIR APPLICATIONS TO AVOID ANY DELAYS IN SUBMISSION OF SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION.

In addition to online application form, Bridge Funding for Phase II applications shall include the following documentation:

Copy of Federal Phase I SBIR/STTR Award/Contract from a participating Federal Agency dated within the past two (2) years of the issuance of this Notice of Funding

Copy of the Phase I final report and confirmation of Agency acceptance

Proof of Federal Phase II SBIR/STTR application submission: documentation showing that Phase II SBIR/STTR proposal has been submitted to and received by the participating Federal agency. Example:

o A copy of the Phase II SBIR/STTR proposal submitted to sponsoring Agency and,

Written or electronic notification from the Agency confirming date of proposal receipt

NJ Tax Clearance Certificate (listing Commission on Science, Innovation and Technology) https://www16.state.nj.us/NJ_PREMIER_EBIZ/jsp/home.jsp (Please note that the tax clearance certificate will need to be renewed every 6 months) Any certificates listing an agency other than NJ CSIT will be rejected

Completed employee log (template provide on online portal) and associated employee information as appropriate for applicable company structure -i.e. most recent NJ WR-30 (W2 employees) or 1099 (contractors), Shareholder Agreement or K-1). Please note, if a Professional Employment Organization (PEO) is utilized the PEO must submit confirmation of PEO-A form issued by Department of Labor (DOL). These confirmations are issued on an annual basis and are valid for a year. https://www.nj.gov/labor/ea/employer-services/leasing-companies/

State or federal issued identification or proof of NJ residency or employment for Principal Investigator/Project Manager

Copy of Page on SBIR/STTR proposal, award or contract showing Primary Place of Performance for the project as a NJ address

Signed CSIT Application Certification

If applicable, copy of NJ minority and/or women owned certification (if applicable): https://www.nj.gov/njbusiness/documents/contracting/NEW%20MBE- WBE%20%20Web%20Application%20JAN_2012.pdf

BECAUSE SOME STATE SYSTEMS HAVE EXPERIENCED LONGER THAN USUAL PROCESSING TIMES DUE TO COVID-19, APPLICANTS ARE ENCOURAGED TO OBTAIN COPIES OF NJ DOUMENTATION EARLY IN THE PROCESS OF COMPLETING THEIR APPLICATIONS TO AVOID ANY DELAYS IN SUBMISSION OF SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION.

5. EVALUATION PROCESS AND SCORING CRITERIA

Preferred communication with applicants will be via email from csit@njeda.com. Applicants are encouraged to include this email in their safe email addresses to avoid the email going to a Junk box.

All complete applications will be scored against the scoring criteria and a summary of scored applications will be forwarded to the CSIT Program Committee. The Program Committee will review scored applications and make funding recommendations to the CSIT board. The CSIT Board will make final decision on grant winners.

Grant winners will be required to execute a Grant Agreement outlining the funding amount, terms, and conditions of the grant. Grant Funds will not be disbursed until the execution of such Grant Agreement by the applicant and CSIT.

Scoring criteria (preferences and priorities in evaluation)

All complete accepted applications received during the application window will be considered.

If available funds are insufficient to award all qualified applicants, preference shall be given to small businesses with:

Percentage of employees working in New Jersey (up to 20 points)
Qualified small business engaged in one of the State of New Jersey’s nine (9) strategic focus sectors: (15 points)
- Advance Manufacturing
- Advanced Transportation and Logistics
- Clean Energy
- Film and Digital Media
- Finance and Professional Services
- Food & Beverage (Non-Retail)
- Life Sciences
- Offshore Wind
- Technology
Company with technology that came out of any NJ university (Executed License agreement (15 points)
Qualified first time SBIR/STTR awardees (direct funding grant) that have received their first Federal SBIR/STTR award or first time Phase II SBIR/STTR submitters (bridge funding grant) (15 points)
Sub-award/contract a portion of the SBIR/STTR work to a NJ university (stated in the proposal/budget submission) (10 points)
Minority owned business (Please provide MBE certification): (10 points)https://www.nj.gov/njbusiness/documents/contracting/NEW%20MBE-

WBE%20%20Web%20Application%20JAN_2012.pdf

Women owned businesses (Please provide WBE certification): (10 points) https://www.nj.gov/njbusiness/documents/contracting/NEW%20MBE-

WBE%20%20Web%20Application%20JAN_2012.pdf

Primary place of business or R&D space located within NJ eligible opportunity zones census tracts: https://nj.gov/governor/njopportunityzones/ (5 points)

6. OTHER TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Funding may be shifted across the two components of the Direct Financial Assistance Program as needed at the discretion of the CSIT Board and if additional funds are available after the review process, CSIT may accept additional applications until program funds are exhausted.

Grant awardees will agree to maintain 50% of work (as evidenced by employee log and documentation) in NJ for a period of two (2) years from the effective date of the Grant Agreement or two (2) years from the completion of the SBIR/STTR project, whichever is later. (Failure to comply will result in full re-payment of grant within sixty (60) days of relocation or as conditions state in the Grant Agreement).

All grant awardees must commit to report economic impact data to CSIT upon the completion of program for a period of two (2) years as will be outlined in the Grant Agreement and by submitting an Economic Impact Questionnaire provided by CSIT.

All grant awardees must commit to participate in future CSIT alumni activities such as, serving as a panel member or conducting brief interviews about Program experience.

7. NOTICE OF FUNDING PROJECTED MILESTONE DATES:

Notice of Funding release date: August 9, 2021
Webinar: August 19, 2021 (Instructions to Register will be posted on the CSIT Webpage)
Application Period: August 16, 2021 – October 8, 2021 (8 Working Weeks)
Application Deadline: October 8, 2021 4:00 pm EST

8. QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Questions and inquiries concerning this Notice of Funding will be accepted through the application deadline. The preferred communication is to submit questions via e-mail to csit@njeda.com
CSIT will host a Webinar after the release of the Notice of Funding to provide information and respond to any questions. A recording of the Webinar will be available on the CSIT website
The subject line of the e-mail should state: “CSIT SBIR/STTR Direct Financial Assistance – Round 3”
All questions received and answers given in response to this Notice of Funding will be answered in the form of a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document to be posted and continuously updated on CSIT’s webpage. https://www.njeda.gov/about/Public-Information/CSIT

9. CONFIDENTIALITY

Applications received will be reviewed only by CSIT and NJEDA. All proposals submitted will be subject to requests for disclosure, including but not limited to, a request pursuant to the Open Public Records Act (“OPRA”), N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1 et seq. If the applicant believes that information contained in its proposal merits confidential treatment pursuant to OPRA, any such purportedly confidential information submitted to the Commission shall be specifically identified and marked by the applicant

Exhibit A: Document checklist for Direct Financial Assistance

Direct Funding for Phase I, Fast Track and Direct to Phase II Awardees	Bridge Funding for Phase II Applicants
Completed Application form	Completed Application form
Proof of Federal SBIR/STTR Phase I, Fast Track or Direct to Phase II award or contract (Award notice/contract)	Proof of Federal SBIR/STTR Phase I grant or contract award (Award notice/contract)
Copy of the accepted Phase I, Fast Track or Direct to Phase II proposal	Copy of the Federal SBIR/STTR Phase I final report
NJ Tax Clearance Certificate (certified to NJ CSIT)	NJ Tax Clearance Certificate (certified to NJ CSIT)
Completed employee log (template provided)	Completed employee log (template provided)
Employee information as appropriate for applicable company structure – most recent NJ WR-30 (W2 employees) or 1099 (contractors), Shareholder Agreement or K-1	Employee information as appropriate for applicable company structure – most recent NJ WR-30 (W2 employees) or 1099 (contractors), Shareholder Agreement or K-1
Copy of State or Federal issued identification or proof of NJ residency or employment for Principle Investigator/Project Manager	Copy of State or Federal issued identification or proof of NJ residency or employment for Principle Investigator/Project Manager
Copy of Page of SBIR/STTR proposal, award or contract showing Primary Place of Performance for project as a NJ address	Copy of Page of SBIR/STTR proposal, award or contract showing Primary Place of Performance for Phase II project as a NJ address
Signed Application Certification	Signed Application Certification
If applicable, Minority and/ or Women -owned NJ certification	If applicable, Minority and/ or Women -owned NJ certification
	Copy of the Phase II SBIR/STTR proposal submitted to sponsoring Agency and Agency acceptance (written or electronic notification from the Agency confirming date of proposal receipt)

Exhibit B: Program specifications sheet

Round 3, Direct Financial Assistance grant for businesses engaged in the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer Program (STTR) Federal Programs
Funding Source	Total funding for Round 3 SBIR/STTR Direct Financial Assistance program will be $1,250,000 using eligible funds from CSIT’s FY2022 budget appropriation
Program Purpose	The purpose of the Program is to enhance the State’s innovative economy by providing technical and financial support to small businesses seeking to or participating in the Federal SBIR/STTR program
Eligible Applicants (Direct funding grant and Bridge funding grant)	Direct Funding for Phase I, Fast Track or Direct to Phase II winners: All applicants must meet the following eligibility criteria: a. Be a NJ based small business (have a valid tax clearance certificate) b. Be a recipient of a Federal SBIR/STTR Phase I, Fast Track or Direct to Phase II grant or contract award within the last two (2) years prior to the issuance of this Notice of Funding (August 9, 2021) c. The applicant company cannot have been awarded more than 5 Federal SBIR/STTR grants or contracts (Phase I, Fast-track, Direct to Phase II combined) throughout the lifetime of the company d. Have a NJ resident or employee designated as Principal Investigator/Project Manager for the duration of the CSIT grant e. Have 50% or more full time equivalent employees working in NJ at the time of application as evidenced by employee documentation (fulltime/part-time employees and contractors) f. The primary place of performance on the SBIR/STTR project award is a NJ address g. The applicant company has not had the closing date for an award of a CSIT SBIR/STTR Direct funding or Bridge funding grant within the past one year from this Notice of Funding issuance date (August 9, 2021) Bridge Funding for Phase II Applicants: All applicants must meet the following eligibility criteria: a. Be a NJ based small business (have a valid tax clearance certificate) b. Be a previous Federal SBIR/STTR Phase I grant or contract award recipient within the last two (2) years prior to the issuance of this Notice of funding (August 9, 2021) that has successfully completed a Phase I Federal SBIR/STTR program, and submitted a Phase II SBIR/STTR application and has not received a Federal response yet on their Phase II application c. The applicant company cannot have been awarded more than five (5) Federal SBIR/STTR grants or contracts (Phase I, Fast-track or Direct to Phase II combined) and four (4) Federal Phase II SBIR/STTR grants or contracts throughout the lifetime of the company d. Have a NJ resident or employee designated as Principal Investigator/Project Manager for the duration of the CSIT grant e. Have 75% or more full time equivalent employees working in NJ at the time of application as evidenced by employee documentation (fulltime and part-time employees and contractors) f. The primary place of performance on the Phase II SBIR/STTR project submission is a NJ address g. The applicant company has not had the closing date for an award of a CSIT SBIR/STTR Direct funding or Bridge funding grant within the past one year from this Notice of Funding issuance date (August 9, 2021)
Eligible Uses	The grant funding can be utilized to maintain project activities and cover general operating costs
Application Process and Board Approval/ Delegated Authority	Application process: 1. Applications will be open for a limited timeframe 2. A document completeness review will be done on a rolling basis as applications are received up to the application deadline 3. Applicants with missing documentation will be notified and given 10 business days to submit missing documents 4. Only complete applications after the missing documentation deadline will be evaluated and scored (Applicants that have been attempted to obtain missing state documentation but have not received it will be scored if they demonstrate they have attempted to obtain the documents since some NJ state agencies are taking longer than usual to process requests due to COVID. Missing documentation MUST be received prior to any recommendations of any award to any applicant.) 5. If more applications are received than available funding, priority will be given to applications that score the highest against the scoring criteria Board Approval: The CSIT Program Committee will review scored applications and make funding recommendations to the CSIT board. The CSIT Board will make final decision on grant winners Delegated Authority: Delegated Authority to the Executive Director to: 1. Make recommendations to move funds between Direct Funding and Bridge Funding components based on the applications received; and 2. Issue denial letters to applications with incomplete documentation following the extension period
Grant Amounts	Direct funding component $25,000 grants for thirty (30) SBIR/STTR Phase I, Fast Track or Direct to Phase II award/contract winners Bridge funding component $50,000 grants for ten (10) SBIR/STTR Phase II applicants
Funding Disbursement	Full amount of the grant will be disbursed to the applicant upon the successful execution of a grant agreement between CSIT and the applicant outlining the funding amount, terms, and conditions of the grant

New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA)
Henri/Ida Business Assistance Grant Program
Notice of Funding Availability

The Henri/Ida Business Assistance Grant Program application portal will close at 5pm on Friday, September 24, 2021.

The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) expects to launch an online application for the Henri/Ida Business Assistance Grant Program at 9:00 a.m. on Friday, September 17^th at https://www.njeda.gov/henri-ida-relief/. Applications will be reviewed on a first come, first served basis.

Language Assistance

español (Spanish)
El portal de solicitud del Programa de subvenciones de asistencia empresarial Henri / Ida se cerrará a las 5 p.m. el viernes 24 de septiembre de 2021.
ATENCIÓN: si habla español, los servicios de asistencia lingüística, gratuitos, están disponibles para usted enviando un correo electrónico a languagehelp@njeda.com.

한국어 (Korean)
Henri/Ida 비즈니스 지원 보조금 프로그램 신청 포털은 2021년 9월 24일 금요일 오후 5시에 마감됩니다
알림: 한국어를 사용하시는 경우, 언어 지원 서비스가 무료로 이메일 languagehelp@njeda.com을 통해 제공됩니다.

po polsku (Polish)
Portal aplikacyjny Henri/Ida Business Assistance Grant Program zostanie zamknięty o godzinie 17:00 w piątek 24 września 2021 r.
UWAGA: Jeśli mówisz po polsku, możesz uzyskać pomoc tłumacza bezpłatnie wysyłając e-mail pod adres languagehelp@njeda.com.

português (Portuguese)
O portal de inscrição do Programa de Subsídio de Assistência Empresarial Henri / Ida fechará às 17h na sexta-feira, 24 de setembro de 2021.
ATENÇÃO: se você falar português, oferecemos serviços de apoio de idioma gratuitos. Envie um e-mail para languagehelp@njeda.com.

Tagalog
Ang portal ng aplikasyon ng Henri / Ida Business Assistance Grant Program ay magsasara ng 5pm sa Biyernes, Setyembre 24, 2021.
ATTENTION: Kung nagsasalita ka ng Tagalog, magagamit mo ang libreng mga serbisyong tulong sa wika sa pamamagitan ng pag-email sa languagehelp@njeda.com.

اللغة (Arabic)
يتم إغلاق بوابة التقديم لبرنامج منحة Henri / Ida Business Assistance Program في الساعة 5 مساءً يوم الجمعة 24 سبتمبر 2021.
تنبيه: إذا كنت تتحدث اللغة العربية، فإن خدمات المساعدة اللغوية مجانية متاحة لك عبر إرسال بريد إلكتروني إلى
languagehelp@njeda.com.

粵語 Traditional Chinese (Cantonese Chinese)
Henri/Ida 商業援助補助計劃申請門戶將於 2021 年 9 月 24 日星期五下午 5 點關閉。
注意：如果您說粵語，可以透過傳送電子郵件至 languagehelp@njeda.com 免費獲取語言協助服務。

普通语 Simplified Chinese (Mandarin Chinese)
Henri/Ida 商业援助补助计划申请门户将于 2021 年 9 月 24 日星期五下午 5 点关闭。
注意：如果您说普通语，可以通过发送电子邮件至 languagehelp@njeda.com 免费获取语言协助服务。

ગુજરાતી (Gujarati)
હેનરી/ઇડા બિઝનેસ આસિસ્ટન્સ ગ્રાન્ટ પ્રોગ્રામ એપ્લિકેશન પોર્ટલ 24 સપ્ટેમ્બર, 2021, શુક્રવારે સાંજે 5 વાગ્યે બંધ થશે.
ધ્યાન આપો: જો તમે ગુજરાતી બોલતા હોય તો, તમારા માટે languagehelp@njeda.com પર ઈ-મેઈલ કરવાથી ભાષા સહાય સેવાઓ મફતામાં ઉપલબ્ધ છે.

हिंदी (Hindi)
हेनरी/इडा बिजनेस असिस्टेंस ग्रांट प्रोग्राम एप्लीकेशन पोर्टल शुक्रवार, 24 सितंबर, 2021 को शाम 5 बजे बंद हो जाएगा।
ध्यान दें: यदि आप हिंदी बोलते हैं, तो languagehelp@njpa.com पर ईमेल द्वारा, आप के लिए नि:शुल्क भाषा सहायता सेवाएं उपलब्ध हैं।

italiano (Italian)
Il portale di domanda del programma di sovvenzione Henri/Ida Business Assistance si chiuderà alle 17:00 di venerdì 24 settembre 2021.
ATTENZIONE: se parla italiano, può usufruire gratuitamente di servizi di assistenza linguistica scrivendo all’indirizzo languagehelp@njeda.com

Purpose

The Henri/Ida Business Assistance Grant Program provides short-term, immediate August rent or mortgage reimbursement support to New Jersey small and medium-sized businesses and non-profits that have suffered physical damage as a result of the remnants of Hurricane Henri on August 22^nd or 23^rd, 2021 and/or Tropical Storm/Hurricane Ida on September 1st, 2nd, and 3^rd, 2021.

Overview

On August 22, 2021 and lasting into the early mornings of August 23, 2021, remnants of Hurricane Henri impacted the State of New Jersey with heavy rainfall totaling nearly 10 inches. The storm prompted evacuations, road closures and water rescues throughout the State. The damage was severe in many counties across New Jersey impacting homeowners and businesses alike.

Then, on September 1, 2021, in response to Tropical Storm Ida, Governor Murphy declared a statewide State of Emergency that was effective immediately and issued Executive Order No. 259. The Executive Order recognizes that Tropical Storm Ida “constitutes an imminent hazard that threatens and presently endangers the health, safety, and resources of the residents of the State” and that “this situation may become too large in scope to be handled in its entirety by the normal county and municipal operating services in some parts of the State, and this situation may spread to other parts of the State.” Executive Order No. 259 remains in effect as long as the Governor declares the State of Emergency continues to exist.

Over a very short time period on September 1^st and 2^nd, the storm impacted the State with severe tornadic conditions and sustained rainfall of approximately 10 inches in some towns that led to life-threatening flooding conditions, the tragic loss of at least 27 New Jersey residents, and the loss of power. The historic flooding caused severe damage and devastation to private property, automobiles, structures, public facilities and transportation networks in parts of Bergen, Essex, Gloucester, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Passaic, Somerset, Sussex, and Union. The New Jersey Business Action Center received numerous calls from businesses impacted by the storm. The NJEDA issued alerts for businesses and residents to take photos and document any property damages and to retain receipts for services for insurance purposes and for any federal or state relief programs that may become available. As of September 6^th, President Biden approved a declaration of major disaster for Bergen, Gloucester, Hunterdon, Middlesex, Passaic, and Somerset counties for areas affected by the remnants of Hurricane Ida during September 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd, 2021.

Tropical Storm Ida caused devastation to New Jersey’s downtowns and business districts throughout the State, just as many were just beginning to rebound from the severe economic hardship of COVID-19. In response to this barrage of challenges, the Henri/Ida Business Assistance Grant Program is intended to provide short-term, immediate rent/mortgage reimbursement to certain New Jersey businesses that suffered physical damage as a result of Tropical Storm Ida on September 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd, 2021.

Program Details

The Henri/Ida Business Assistance Grant Program will provide grants from $1,000 up to $5,000 to New Jersey-based businesses and nonprofits that have up to 50 full-time equivalent employees (FTEs) as reported on their last WR-30 form (Q2 2021) with the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development (DLWD) and have a physical commercial location in New Jersey that suffered physical damage as a result of the remnants of Hurricane Henri and/or Hurricane Ida. Currently, the program is currently funded with $10.5 million and may increase to $15.5 million. One-third of the first request and one-third of the subsequent request (if necessary) will be reserved for entities in a census tract that was eligible to be selected as a New Jersey Opportunity Zone, but can be released back into the general program if demand from businesses and nonprofits in these areas has been met. Furthermore, $500,000 will be set aside for businesses and nonprofits impacted by Hurricane Henri, but can be released back into the general program pool if demand from these entities has been met. The program may be expanded if additional funds become available.

Eligibility

To be eligible under the program, applicants must:

Provide certification of an unmet need due to damage and/or business interruption, which includes, but is not limited to, flooding, interior or exterior damage to the building structure, roof damage, and siding damage, all of which are directly related to tropical storms Henri and Ida (loss of power alone will not be considered physical damage);
Provide documentation of physical damage to the applicant’s physical commercial location;
Have been in operation on August 1, 2021;
Present a valid Employer Identification Number (EIN);
Submit recent wage reporting form (WR30), if applicable;
Submit evidence of an August rent/mortgage payment of at least $1,000 as well as have a need that is greater than $1,000;
Be registered to do business in the State of New Jersey which can be evidenced by a valid Business Registration Certificate;
Be in good standing with the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development (DLWD), the New Jersey Department of Human Services (DHS) (if the applicant is regulated by DHS), the Department of Children and Families (DCF) (if the applicant is regulated by DCF), and the New Jersey Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) (if the applicant is regulated by the ABC) at the time of application, as determined in the sole discretion of DLWD, DHS, DCF and ABC; and
Complete an affidavit identifying all funding sources related to tropical storms Henri and Ida, including prior grants, insurance, and Small Business Administration loans and grants.

Additional requirements may apply, including: eligible applicants shall employ no more than 50 FTEs; have an August rent/mortgage payment of at least $1,000 and an unmet need (damages or revenue loss) that is greater than $1,000; must have sustained physical damage to their commercial location as a result of the remnants of tropical storms Henri and Ida; must have a physical commercial location in the State of New Jersey (e.g., an office, a physical point of sales, a warehouse, manufacturing facility, etc.).

To determine the number of FTEs for the purpose of calculating eligibility, the NJEDA will utilize the New Jersey WR-30 filings with the DLWD. The most recently filed WR-30 filing will be reviewed (Q2 2021). Implied FTE calculations will be rounded to the nearest FTE (e.g., 2.49 FTEs would be counted as 2 FTEs for the program, whereas 2.50 FTEs would be counted as 3 FTEs). While the calculation of FTEs is based on weeks worked and wages as reported on the WR-30 filing.

The CEO/equivalent officer must self-certify that the business/non-profit was in operation on August 1, 2021; and sustained physical damage as a result of the remnants of tropical storms Henri and Ida.

The eligible applicant must satisfy the Division of Taxation/Department of Treasury’s requirement to ensure that there are no tax debts due to the State. This may be accomplished through a certification from the applicant that it does not owe any taxes and will be subject to repayment if the certification is not correct.

An applicant shall submit only one application per EIN; accordingly, businesses with multiple locations but only one EIN will be limited to one application.

Additional eligibility requirements will apply to ensure that federal funds, if available, can be used for this program or to reimburse the Authority for use of its funds for this program. This may include, but is not limited to:

An acknowledgement and agreement that grant proceeds be can only be used for eligible uses;
A restriction on duplication of benefits that could exclude potential applicants that have already received emergency Ida assistance, and
A requirement that the applicant demonstrate that it has had physical damage as a result of remnants of Hurricane Henri and/or Hurricane Ida.

Landlords and home-based businesses are not eligible for grant funding through this program.

Eligible Uses

Under the Henri/Ida Business Assistance Grant Program, funding shall be used to pay for August rent/mortgage only, cannot exceed $5,000, and will be disbursed solely as reimbursement. If the grant amount is greater than the need, the amount of the award will be capped at the amount of need. Need will be determined based on estimated damages, as certified by the applicant, and loss based on shuttered business operations, also certified by the applicant. As this grant is solely for August rent/mortgage, funding cannot be used for any other purpose, including, but not limited to, capital expenses, such as remediation or construction.

Grant Amounts

The minimum grant amount is $1,000 with a maximum award of $5,000, capped at the lesser of applicant’s unmet need or rent/mortgage payment.

Application Process

Online applications will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis, based upon the date in which the Authority receives a completed application submission. The NJEDA may create a pre-registration process to expedite the approval process.

Fees

Due to financial hardship, no fees will be collected by the Authority for this program.

Additional Information

Comprehensive information about the Henri/Ida Business Assistance Grant Program is available at https://www.njeda.gov/henri-ida-relief/.

Deadline for Application Submission

The Henri/Ida Business Assistance Grant Program application portal will close at 5pm on Friday, September 24, 2021.

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New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA)
New Jersey Community Stages Relief Grant Program
Notice of Funding Availability

The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) hereby announces the availability of grant funding under the New Jersey Community Stages Relief Grant Program, which is designed to assist for-profit establishments that organize, promote, produce, manage, or host live events or performances by performing artists, and have experienced a revenue loss from Q2 2019 to Q2 2020.

Applications will open on Tuesday August 17, 2021 at 9:00 am and will close on Tuesday September 7, 2021 at 5:00pm. Applications will be accepted for twenty one (21) days after the opening of the application. Applications for this program will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis, based on the date and time in which the Authority receives the application.

Background

This funding opportunity is available as part of Governor Murphy’s campaign to build a stronger and fairer New Jersey and to facilitate recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic with substantive investments in New Jersey’s people, communities, Main Streets, and businesses.

On April 8, 2021, Governor Murphy signed into law P.L. 2021, c. 43, which allocates $15 million of CRF funding to support arts and culture organizations impacted by COVID-19. Of that $15 million, $7.5 million was allocated to the Authority to make grant funding available to for-profit arts and culture organizations. The remaining funding was allocated to the New Jersey Council on the Arts to provide funding to not-for-profit arts and culture organizations. On July 21, 2021, Governor Murphy signed into law, P.L. 2021, c. 173, $10 million of American Rescue Plan funding was allocated as additional funding to the Authority to supplement the original $7.5 million funding to for-profit arts and culture grants.

Purpose

The New Jersey Community Stages Relief Grant Program will provide grant funding based on 30 percent of operating revenue loss between 2019 and 2020, capped at $300,000, to for-profit businesses that involve the organization, hosting, promotion, production, or management of live music or performances.

Eligible Uses

The sole use is grant funding to for-profit businesses that involve the organization, hosting, promotion, production, or management of live music or performances for business interruption revenue replacement.

Grant Amounts

Under the program, grants will be made on a first come first served basis. Awards will be calculated based on 30% of revenue loss up to a maximum grant award of $300,000, net of any duplication of benefits or Federal award requirement reduction.

Grant calculation:

Grants amounts will be calculated as 30 percent of the decline in operating revenue in 2020 versus 2019.
The total grant amount cannot exceed the establishment’s unmet need based on duplication of benefits analysis. The maximum grant request amount is $300,000 and the minimum amount is $10,000 contingent on the total unmet need being at least $10,000. Any total unmet need below $10,000 will be funded up to the level of that unmet need.

Funding Disbursement

Disbursements to grantees will be made pursuant to the following disbursement schedule: 100 percent of the award will be made following the execution of the grant agreement. Automated processes, where applicable, are being implemented to ensure the rapid issue of the disbursements.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicant eligibility will be determined through one of two specific criteria:

An eligible North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code, based on its most recent business tax filing, to ensure the establishment could realistically host, organize, promote, produce, or manage live events with performing artists.
The ability to certify that fifty percent or more of the primary business activity-operating revenue is from organizing, promoting, producing, managing, or hosting at least two regularly occurring live performances per week.

All applicants must meet Eligibility Criteria 1 or Eligibility Criteria 2 in order to be eligible for the grant.

All applicants must meet the Applicant Eligibility Criteria-Establishment Venue Capacity in addition to meeting either Eligibility Criteria 1 or Eligibility Criteria 2.

Applicant Eligibility Criteria 1 – NAICS Eligible Establishments

An eligible applicant shall operate under a NAICS code that demonstrates that their primary business involves live events or performing arts, as follows:

NAICS Code	Business Type
711410	Agents and Managers for Artists, Athletes, Entertainers, and Other Public Figures
711310	Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events with Facilities
711320	Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events without Facilities
711110	Theater Companies and Dinner Theaters
711130	Musical Groups and Artists

Establishments that have one of these NAICS codes would still need to meet the establishment venue capacity criteria as well as the other statutory requirements for eligibility (explained further below).

Applicant Eligibility Criteria 2 – Eligibility for Other Establishments Outside of Allowable NAICS Codes

If the applicant does not fall into one of the eligible NAICS codes as listed above, they may still be eligible for the program. The establishment must certify that their principal business operating revenue (50 percent or more) involves the organization, hosting, promotion, production, or management of live music or performances, with a brief narrative description making the case as to why the establishment’s primary business meets that definition. The applicant will then be asked to provide yearly income and expense statements for 2019 or 2020 providing a breakdown substantiating the operating revenues, identified by source, specific to the arts and culture establishment.

The Authority will accept management prepared financial reports, financial reports generated by an accounting system or software package or financial reports prepared by a third-party (CPA, accountant, or bookkeeper). The self-reported revenue statements must be certified by an owner, officer or an authorized representative of the organization. These statements can also be known as income statement, profit and loss (P&L) statement, or statements of revenue and expense

Applicants must show that at least 50 percent of their operating revenue is derived from ticket sales and/or admissions fees of live performances. Establishments that have verified that their primary business involves the organization, hosting, promotion, production, or management of live music or performances would still need to meet the establishment venue capacity criteria as well as other statutory requirements for eligibility

Program Eligibility Requirement-Establishment Venue Capacity

All applicants must certify venue capacity with the presentation of a Certificate of Occupancy issued by a New Jersey municipality, county or state agency. Establishments with a leased or owned venue capacity of greater than 2,500 are not eligible for the program. Applicants that do not own or have a lease on a performance space must certify that as of the date of application they do not own or lease a performance space. Applicants who utilize a leased performance venue must provide a Certificate of Occupancy the primary performance space.

Applicants must also meet the statutory criteria as listed below:

Two Live Performances per week

Pursuant to P.L. 2021, c. 43, the Authority shall verify the establishment hosts two live performances per week. The Authority will collect documentation demonstrating the establishment has organized, promoted, produced, managed, or hosted at least two live performances or events per week across any three-month (quarterly) period beginning no later than January 1, 2019, through the date of application. Given that this program is intended to support establishments negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, this timeframe will ensure that funding is reserved and available to establishments that were operational and regularly hosting, producing, promoting, organizing or managing events immediately preceding the COVID-19 pandemic.

The types of documentation the Authority would expect to collect to evidence the live performances include: live event calendars, public advertisements of live events, evidence of ticket sales for live events, ledgers, income statements, box office reports and other documents showing show dates, artists or events, ticket prices, and number of tickets sold, marketing or promotional materials, or any other documentation sufficiently demonstrating bi-weekly live events were supported over a three-month period.

Statutory Eligibility Requirements-Event Admissions Fees

The applicant must show that admission fees were charged for any events organized, promoted, produced, managed, or hosted by the applicant. The determination measure will spread over any three-month (quarterly) period beginning no later than January 1, 2019, through the date of application. Documentation will be collected as part of the application which must demonstrate the collection of admission fees for each event that is part of the three-month reporting period. This may include reports provided by a third-party ticket seller or payment processor, copies of receipts or tickets/ticket stubs sold at an event, in house administrative documentation, marketing materials or third-party media demonstrating a fee for admission was collected for live events reported during the three-month sample period.

Statutory Eligibility Requirements-Artist Payment for Events

The applicant must also show that the performing artists performing at live events over any three-month (quarterly) period beginning no later than January 1, 2019, through the date of application are paid through one of the following wage structures: payment based on a percentage of sales, a guaranteed payment, a contract or other mutually beneficial formal arrangement, or the sale of tickets for which performers are paid based on a percentage of ticket sales.

To evidence this, the Authority will require documentation proofs provided by the applicant for four different artists or their representatives evidencing a mutual agreement between the performing artist or the artists’ agent, representative or other person or establishment responsible for arranging an artists’ performance and the applying establishment or host venue that clearly demonstrates the performing artist was paid based on one of the wage structures identified above.

It is expected that a contract be executed by both the performing artist and the applicant establishment/hosting venue that clearly stipulates the basis by which the performing artist is paid. However, recognizing the nature of how the industry works which is sometimes outside of formal contractual agreements, staff will accept other forms of documentation such as written or electronic copies of agreements such as copies of emails, electronic messages, and dated text messages if it is clear to the Authority that the compensation was mutually agreed upon, and the compensation is consistent with the statutory requirements.

Statutory Eligibility Requirements-25 percent or Greater Operating Loss When Comparing Q2 2019 and Q2 2020

The applicant must verify that the establishment has a 25 percent or greater operating revenue loss in Q2 2020 compared to the Q2 2019. The Authority is currently exploring if there are ways to automate this review using information from the Division of Taxation; however, this is complicated by the fact that not every applicant may be a Corporate Business Tax filer. At a minimum, the Authority may first ask the applicant to self-report its operating revenue specific to the arts and culture establishment on a quarterly basis over calendar years 2019 and 2020. Any application whose self-reported revenue numbers do not meet the 25 percent requirement over the Q2 2020 to Q2 2019 comparison will not advance to the documentation review process on the basis that the statutory requirement for operating revenue loss was not met.

For establishments with self-reported operating revenue numbers that demonstrate a 25 percent or greater loss, the applicant will then be asked to provide 2019 and 2020 business income tax filings specific to the arts and culture establishment, so the Authority may compare the operating revenue reporting annually on the business filings to ensure consistency with the revenue reported on the management or third-party prepared financial statements.

For applicants whose self-reported operating revenue numbers demonstrate a 25 percent or greater loss but do not have 2019 and 2020 business income tax filings specific to the establishment for which the applicant is seeking grant funds, the applicant shall provide quarterly income and expense statements for all quarters of 2019 and 2020 providing a breakdown substantiating the operating revenue numbers specific to the arts and culture establishment. These statements must identify revenue by source. The Authority will accept management prepared financial reports, financial reports generated by an accounting system or software package or financial reports prepared by a third-party (CPA, accountant, or bookkeeper). The self-reported revenue statements must be certified by an owner, officer or an authorized representative of the organization. These statements can also be known as income statement, profit and loss (P&L) statement, or statements of revenue and expense.

Application Process

Applications will be accepted for 21 days after the opening of the application. Applications for this program will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis, based on the date and time in which the Authority receives the application. Only applications that are fully complete will be considered for funding. Applicants will be given five business days for an opportunity to correct or preserve their application by providing missing documentation. Applicants who fail to provide the requested application information will be rejected on the basis of insufficient or incomplete documentation.

Given the volume of applications the Authority expects to receive, only applicants that provide a NAICS code as listed in Eligibility Criteria 1 and self-report revenue figures showing at least a 25 percent operating revenue loss over the Q2 2020 to Q2 2019 comparison or can demonstrate that fifty percent or more of the primary business activity-operating income is from organizing, promoting, producing, managing, or hosting at least two regularly occurring live performances per week and self-report revenue figures showing at least a 25 percent operating revenue loss over the Q2 2020 to Q2 2019 comparison will advance to a manual review of documentation by Authority staff. Applicants with greater than 2,500 capacity will not proceed.

The Authority will implement additional automation and interactivity such that businesses are immediately alerted if they enter information that may indicate ineligibility or trigger a manual review, giving them the opportunity to confirm that their responses are correct or choose not to proceed if they are ineligible.

Fees

Due to financial hardship, no fees will be collected by the Authority for this program.

Questions

Please direct all program related questions to NJCommunityArts@njeda.com

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New Jersey Economic Development Authority
COVID-19 Outbreak
Government Restricted Municipality Planning Grants Phase I
Notice of Funding Availability

The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (“NJEDA” or “Authority”) will begin accepting applications for the Government Restricted Municipalities-Phase I grant beginning Wednesday July 14, 2021, at 9:00 AM. Applications will be accepted no later than Monday, September 13, 2021, at 5:00 PM. Applicants should read the application instructions posted to the Authority’s webpage at https://www.njeda.gov for more information.

Overview

This funding opportunity is issued by the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) as part of Governor Murphy’s campaign to build a stronger and fairer New Jersey and to facilitate recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic with substantive investments in New Jersey’s people, communities, Main Streets, and businesses. The Government Restricted Municipality Planning Grants Program-Phase I will provide grants to qualified applicants to create long-term strategic action plans to assist New Jersey’s Government Restricted Municipalities (GRM), identified by statute as Atlantic City, Paterson and Trenton, to maximize their growth potential and implement new or stalled community-focused economic growth projects

Purpose

In Phase I of the Government Restricted Municipality Planning Grants Program, applicants will be tasked with the design and submission of a detailed, long-term, and action-oriented strategic plan that incorporates existing plans of the GRM and stakeholders and identifies technical capacity needs that have held these projects back from completion. The strategic action plans developed through this grant program will better position GRMs to implement and execute on these stalled projects.

Eligible Uses

The Government Restricted Municipality Planning Grants Program’s sole use is funding for the design and submission of an action-oriented strategic plan that uses existing plans of the GRM and stakeholders in multiple disciplines to identify both projects in existing planning documents and the technical capacity needs that have held those projects back from completion. The plan(s) need be focused on economic revitalization and development of long-term strategic action plans comprising an in-depth analysis of community planning activities that will lead to actionable project plans focused on community goals for economic development. The use of grant funds must be focused on long-term economic development planning efforts in the government restricted municipalities identified in the Economic Recovery Act with the ultimate goal of actualizing community-focused economic growth projects.

Applicants must apply to work with one of the designated government restricted municipalities, defined by statue as Atlantic City, Paterson and Trenton.

Grant Amounts

Three (3) grants of $250,000 will be made totaling $750,000. Each GRM will be the focus of at least one grant.

Funding Disbursement

Disbursements to grantees will be made pursuant to the following disbursement schedule: 50 percent of the grant amount ($125,000) upon execution of the grant agreement; 25 percent of the grant amount ($62,500) on or around the halfway point of the grant term (3 months), upon EDA’s receipt and approval of a progress report; and 25 percent of the grant amount ($62,500) upon completion and submission of the final plan.

Eligible Applicants

Qualified applicants are defined as New Jersey municipalities, New Jersey counties, New Jersey authorities, accredited higher education institutions, public interest research groups and/or professional services providers who have completed at least one municipal, county or New Jersey state government plan focused on economic revitalization. Vested interest in close co-operation must be shown by a letter of support from the chief executive of the eligible government restricted municipality.

Each applicant must provide a letter of support from the Chief Executive of the GRM which will be the subject of the applicant’s proposed plan. A GRM municipality may propose to author a plan. This will not preclude the Chief Executive of the GRM from issuing additional letters of support to other applicants.

Applicants will be required to submit additional documentation pending the award of the grant.

This will include Tax Clearance Certificates and Business Registration Certificates for non-governmental entities. All entities will be required pass additional compliance reviews with related New Jersey state government agencies. Examples include reviews by Department of Labor and Department of Environmental Protection.

Application Process

Applications will be accepted up and until sixty days after the opening of applications. Applications will then be reviewed for completeness and scored by an evaluation committee based on the criteria set forth in below. Proposals with scores equal to or greater than 50 will be presented to the Board for review and award. The Committee will make award recommendations to the Board of the highest ranked application for each GRM

Fees

Due to financial hardship, no fees will be collected by the Authority for this program.

Additional Information

Additional information on the Government Restricted Municipality Planning Grants Phase I may be found on the NJEDA website at https://www.njeda.gov/grmpgp/

Questions & Answers

The Authority will electronically accept written questions and inquiries from all potential Applicant(s) via the web at NJEDAGRM@njeda.com. Phone calls/faxes shall not be accepted.

The subject line of the e-mail should state:

“Questions – GRM Phase 1” All Questions received, and Answers given in response to this Application will be answered in the form of a Frequently Asked Questions document to be posted and continually updated on the Authority’s website, https://www.njeda.gov/grmpgp/, up until the total program allotment has been exhausted, or 90 days after publication of notice and release of application (whichever is sooner). The Authority will also post any addenda on the same website. It is the responsibility of any potential applicant to review the website on a frequent basis to become aware of any answers and addenda.

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COVID-19 Outbreak
New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA)
Notice of Funding Availability
Sustain and Serve NJ
Applications accepted from June 28, 2021 through July 18, 2021

Overview

Subsequent containment measures were implemented, including restrictions on public gatherings and mandated closure of non-essential businesses. While these measures were consistent with similar measures being taken nationally to limit the public’s exposure to COVID-19, there has been a significant adverse impact on the state’s economy.

Businesses classified as “Food Services and Drinking Places” under NAICS code 722 (described in this document as “Restaurants”), have been disproportionately impacted by COVID-19, because of caps on location dining and unusual costs incurred to adapt business models for safe operations.

With the Public Health Emergency in place and millions of New Jerseyans abruptly staying home, restaurant revenue plummeted or disappeared, and many restaurants had little choice but to change – or abandon – their operating model, with some having to close their doors completely and lay off or furlough all staff. Many restaurants that changed their operating model shifted to a takeout-only model, which resulted in a significant reduction in staff.

In 2019, according to the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development (NJDOL), 270,000 restaurant workers were employed in New Jersey. From March 2020 to April 2021, NJDOL reports that nearly 107,000 restaurant workers have filed Unemployment Insurance claims. In 2018, the National Restaurant Association reported there were over 19,000 restaurants in New Jersey.

Prior to the pandemic, the sector was growing, with NJDOL projecting the sector would expand by more than 12 percent by 2026. During the pandemic, the New Jersey Restaurant and Hospitality Association estimated that as many as 30 percent of New Jersey restaurants remained at risk of permanent closure.

While these figures are staggering, they were likely mitigated, in part, due to several New Jersey-based initiatives that emerged in direct response to COVID-19, that share the same core function, i.e., the bulk purchase of pre-made meals from New Jersey restaurants, which were then distributed for free to target populations.

Specifically, these initiatives aimed to achieve two central goals: to provide urgently needed revenue to restaurants to offset direct losses due to COVID-19, particularly, restaurants that had temporarily closed, were preparing to close, and/or reduced their staff through layoffs or furloughs; and to distribute free meals purchased from local restaurants to target populations, including low-income individuals, senior citizens, health care workers, and first responders.

To build on these initiatives and other restaurant support programs implemented by the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA or Authority), the Authority announced the launch of the Sustain and Serve NJ program in November 2020. In the first phase of grants announced in February 2021, NJEDA awarded more than $14 million to 28 organizations across the state, supporting the purchase of more than 1.5 million meals from over 340 restaurants.

Purpose

The purpose of the Sustain and Serve NJ Program is to provide urgently needed revenue to New Jersey-based restaurants to offset direct losses due to COVID-19, including restaurants that had temporarily closed, were preparing to close, and/or reduced their staff through layoffs or furloughs.

Under the program, up to $10 million will be utilized to make grants of a minimum of $100,000 and maximum of $2 million to entities to support prospective expenses for making bulk meal purchases from New Jersey-based restaurants negatively impacted by COVID-19.

As part of the Serve and Sustain NJ Program requirements, the grantee is prohibited from reselling any meals purchased with grant funding.

Eligible Uses

Under the Sustain and Serve NJ Program, grant funding may only be used for direct costs associated with bulk purchasing of meals that are projected to be incurred between date of grant execution and January 31, 2022, for: the restaurant’s costs of food and ingredients; labor, packaging, and facilities; and, any profit margin for the restaurant.

No other expense(s) incurred by the applicant, whether in support of the meal purchase from the restaurant or otherwise, is eligible, including, but not limited to: indirect/overhead costs incurred by the applicant (e.g., rent, insurance), transportation, distribution, marketing, communications, sales tax and gratuity.

Grant Amounts

The Sustain and Serve NJ Program offers a minimum grant amount of $100,000 and maximum of $2 million, with grant awards calculated based on the projected number of meals to be purchased and estimated cost (per meal), excluding sales tax, gratuity, and delivery fees.

Under the Sustain and Serve NJ Program, meal purchases will be reimbursed based on a flat rate per meal. Although there is no exclusion for entities purchasing meals from restaurants at more than $10 per meal, grant funding will be capped at $10 per meal.

As part of the application for grant funding, entities will request a grant amount based on the projected number of meals to be purchased and estimated cost (per meal), excluding sales tax gratuity, and delivery fees. All grant estimates must be based on a flat rate per meal, subject to the cap of $10 per meal. For any grant that is awarded, disbursement of the total grant amount will be made incrementally from NJEDA to the grantee as eligible expenses are incurred and disbursement is requested by the grantee. These disbursement requests must document that the expenses actually incurred are consistent with eligible uses of grant funding (i.e., the quantity of meals purchased, the cost per meal, and the restaurant from which the meals were purchased).

Once the NJEDA receives all applications, if the total amount of grant funding requested among all eligible applications exceeds the $10 million available for the Program, NJEDA will prorate grant awards based upon the amount determined for each eligible applicant, reducing all grant awards to reflect an eligible applicant’s share of the eligible pool.

Eligible Applicants

The Sustain and Serve NJ Program is open to public or private entities, including 501(c) non-profit organizations. To be eligible, applicants shall provide the following documentation:

NJ Business Registration Certificate, which may be obtained at https://www1.state.nj.us/TYTR_BRC/servlet/common/BRCLogin
Tax Clearance Certification from the Division of Taxation, in the Department of the Treasury which may be obtained at https://www.state.nj.us/treasury/taxation/busasst.shtml
Invoices and receipts demonstrating purchases of 3,000 or more meals made by the entity from any New Jersey-based restaurant(s) totaling at least $50,000, purchased between March 9, 2020 and June 28, 2021. Invoices must include, at minimum: restaurant name, date(s) of purchase, description of purchase(s), quantity purchased, and total cost.

In addition, eligible applicants shall be in good standing with NJDOL, with all decisions of good standing at the discretion of the Commissioner of NJDOL. Additional eligibility requirements may apply, which will be based on any applicable Federal requirements.

Current grantees of the Sustain and Serve NJ program are eligible to apply for additional funds and may not be required to resubmit eligibility documentation.

Restaurants may not directly apply for this grant. Restaurants interested in the program can contact an entity with an established bulk meal purchasing and distribution program to discuss potential participation. A list of current Sustain and Serve NJ grantees can be found here. Restaurants may also opt to have their business publicly listed on the Sustain and Serve NJ page of the New Jersey COVID-19 Business Hub. To list your restaurant, please fill out this form. Potential grant applicants may choose to refer to this registry and contact restaurants about participating in the Sustain and Serve NJ program. Inclusion on this list is not an endorsement from the New Jersey Economic Development Authority as to eligibility for Sustain and Serve NJ. All parties are strongly advised to exercise due diligence when selecting participating restaurants.

As noted above, eligible applicants must have a demonstrated history of making bulk meal purchases from New Jersey-based restaurants totaling at least 3,000 meals valued at least $50,000 between March 9, 2020 and June 28, 2021.

As part of the grant application, applicants must list the restaurants that they will be making bulk meal purchases from if they receive a Sustain and Serve NJ grant. In order to receive reimbursement for meal purchases through Sustain and Serve NJ, grantees may only purchase meals from restaurants that meet the following requirements:

Classified as “Food Services and Drinking Places” under NAICS code 722;
50 or fewer full-time equivalent employees at time of application, based on the company’s most recently filed WR-30 with the NJDOL;
Physical commercial location in the State of New Jersey;
NJ Business Registration Certificate which may be obtained at https://www1.state.nj.us/TYTR_BRC/servlet/common/BRCLogin;
Be in good standing with the New Jersey Division of Taxation, with all decisions of good standing at the discretion of the Division of Taxation;
Be in good standing with the NJDOL, with all decisions of good standing at the discretion of the Commissioner of the NJDOL;
If regulated by the Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC), in the Department of Law and Public Safety, be in good standing with ABC, with all decisions of good standing at the discretion of the ABC;
Current and valid certification from municipal and/or county government inspection that the restaurant has received a rating of Satisfactory as per New Jersey Retail Food Establishment Rating system;
Attestation that the restaurant was in operation on February 15, 2020, and has been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 declared State of Emergency on March 9, 2020 (e.g., was temporarily shut down, was forced to reduce hours, has had a drop in revenue, has been materially impacted by employees who cannot work due to the outbreak, or has a supply chain that has materially been disrupted and therefore slowed firm-level production); and
Additional eligibility requirements may apply, which will be based on any applicable Federal requirements.

To demonstrate eligibility, restaurants will be required to submit to NJEDA:

Form attesting that the restaurant was in operation on February 15, 2020, and has been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 declared State of Emergency on March 9, 2020. After the applicant submits their Sustain and Serve NJ application, this form will be sent by NJEDA directly to restaurants listed in that application.
NJ Business Registration Certificate which may be obtained at https://www1.state.nj.us/TYTR_BRC/servlet/common/BRCLogin; and
Current and valid certification from municipal and/or county government inspection that the restaurant has received a rating of Satisfactory as per New Jersey Retail Food Establishment Rating system.

Funding Disbursement

Sustain and Serve NJ is a reimbursement-based grant. For each grant award, the total amount will be disbursed incrementally as eligible projected expenses are incurred and disbursement is requested from the NJEDA by the grantee. The disbursement requests must be evidenced by documentation supporting that the expenses were actually incurred and consistent with eligible uses of grant funding (i.e., quantity of meals purchased, cost per meal, total cost, description of purchased item(s), and restaurant from which the meals were purchased).

During the term of the grant, the grantee may request a change or addition to participating restaurant(s), which must be submitted in writing, from which they may purchase meals and receive reimbursement through Sustain and Serve NJ. Requests for changes or additions to restaurants will be reviewed by NJEDA.

Application Process

Online applications will be accepted from June 28, 2021 through July 18, 2021, and all applications will be reviewed following the closure of the application period.

Applications for Sustain and Serve NJ are completed in three parts:

Applicants are first required to submit an application that includes listing proposed restaurants for meal purchases;
Listed restaurants will then receive a short form directly from NJEDA they must complete if they wish to be eligible for meal purchases through Sustain and Serve NJ; and
Applicants are sent the restaurant submission to review and approve before it is sent to NJEDA. Approvals must be completed by the application deadline for consideration for meal purchase reimbursement through Sustain and Serve NJ.

Applicants are responsible for ensuring restaurants have submitted materials by the application deadline. Applicants should allow sufficient time for submission of both their own and their listed restaurants’ materials.

Fees

Due to financial hardship of the ultimate beneficiaries, NJEDA will collect no fees from the applicant for this program.

Additional Information

Additional information on the Sustain and Serve NJ Program may be found at the COVID-19 Business Information Hub: https://business.nj.gov/covid/eligibility-for-sustain-and-serve

If you need language assistance, please send NJEDA your name, spoken language and telephone number to languagehelp@njeda.com.

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COVID-19 Outbreak

New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA)

Small Business Emergency Assistance Grant Program-Phase 4

Notice of Funding Availability

Pre-registration will open at 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday, May 26th and remain open until Wednesday, June 30th at 5:00 p.m. Following pre-registration, applications will become available on a rolling basis. Pre-registered applicants will need to return to https://programs.njeda.com/en-US/ to complete an application based on the following schedule:

Restaurants, Child Care Providers and Small Businesses (6-50 FTEs) – 9:00 a.m. on July 7, 2021
Micro Businesses (five or fewer FTEs) – 9:00 a.m. on July 8, 2021

Language Assistance

español (Spanish)
ATENCIÓN: si habla español, los servicios de asistencia lingüística, gratuitos, están disponibles para usted enviando un correo electrónico a languagehelp@njeda.com.

粵語 Traditional Chinese (Cantonese Chinese)
注意：如果您說粵語，可以透過傳送電子郵件至 languagehelp@njeda.com 免費獲取語言協助服務。

普通语 Simplified Chinese (Mandarin Chinese)
注意：如果您说普通语，可以通过发送电子邮件至 languagehelp@njeda.com 免费获取语言协助服务。

हिंदी (Hindi)
ध्यान दें: यदि आप हिंदी बोलते हैं, तो languagehelp@njpa.com पर ईमेल द्वारा, आप के लिए नि:शुल्क भाषा सहायता सेवाएं उपलब्ध हैं।

italiano (Italian)
ATTENZIONE: se parla italiano, può usufruire gratuitamente di servizi di assistenza linguistica scrivendo all’indirizzo languagehelp@njeda.com

한국어 (Korean)
알림: 한국어를 사용하시는 경우, 언어 지원 서비스가 무료로 이메일 languagehelp@njeda.com을 통해 제공됩니다.

po polsku (Polish)
UWAGA: Jeśli mówisz po polsku, możesz uzyskać pomoc tłumacza bezpłatnie wysyłając e-mail pod adres languagehelp@njeda.com.

português (Portuguese)
ATENÇÃO: se você falar português, oferecemos serviços de apoio de idioma gratuitos. Envie um e-mail para languagehelp@njeda.com.

Tagalog
ATTENTION: Kung nagsasalita ka ng Tagalog, magagamit mo ang libreng mga serbisyong tulong sa wika sa pamamagitan ng pag-email sa languagehelp@njeda.com.

Overview

On March 9, 2020, Governor Phil Murphy issued Executive Order 103, declaring a State of Emergency and a Public Health Emergency to ramp up New Jersey’s efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19. Governor Murphy has continued to extend the Public Health Emergency since that date. Subsequent containment measures were implemented, including restrictions on public gatherings and mandated closure of non-essential businesses. While these measures are consistent with similar measures being taken nationally that are expected to limit the public’s exposure to COVID-19, there has been and will continue to be a significant adverse impact on our state’s economy.

In response, the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) established various financial assistance initiatives, including the Small Business Emergency Assistance Grant Program – an emergency grant funding program to provide funding as efficiently and quickly as possible to small and medium sized enterprises (businesses and non-profits) (“SMEs”) that needed payroll and working capital support as a result of adverse economic impacts following the March 9, 2020 declaration of a State of Emergency and a Public Health Emergency. The initial phase of the grant program focused on the smallest enterprises in targeted industries that were among the most adversely impacted by the containment measures.

Thereafter, the NJEDA established the Small Business Emergency Assistance Grant Program-Phase 2, accepting $51 million from the Coronavirus Relief Fund (the “Fund”), as established under the Federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, to both provide additional funding to Phase 1 and to capitalize Phase 2. The second phase of the grant program expanded its focus to include businesses of up to 25 full-time equivalent employees (FTEs), and removed industry-related restrictions to eligibility, in acknowledgement of the reality that nearly all SMEs in a wide range of industries have been adversely affected by the economic consequences of the public health emergency and were in urgent need of assistance.

On October 14, 2020, the NJEDA launched the Small Business Emergency Assistance Grant Program-Phase 3, accepting an additional $70 million from the Fund for grant with expanded eligibility for small and medium sized businesses and non-profits with up to 50 FTEs and increased amounts of funding per business, and reserved funding for the most adversely affected businesses, i.e., restaurants, micro-businesses, and businesses based in Opportunity Zone-eligible census tracts.

In line with his commitment to a stronger and fairer economic recovery, Governor Phil Murphy recently announced the allocation of $200 million in additional funds to help fulfill Phase 4 grant applications. Small business owners and non-profits that have not previously applied for Phase 4 grants may pre-register as a preliminary step toward applying for grants of up to $20,000.

The $200 million in additional funds will continue to support the most adversely affected businesses in New Jersey, including $20 million for bars and restaurants, $120 million for micro-businesses, $10 million for child care providers, as well as $50 million for other small businesses and non-profits with up to 50 full-time equivalent employees. Since the initial launch of the Small Business Emergency Assistance Grant Program back in April of 2020, the NJEDA has distributed more than $259 million in aid to some 55,000 businesses across the state.

Purpose

The purpose of the Small Business Emergency Assistance Grant Program-Phase 4 is to provide short-term, immediate payroll and working capital support to SMEs that that have been negatively impacted during the declared state of emergency, thereby helping to stabilize their operations and minimizing any potential furloughs and/or layoffs.

Eligible Uses

Under the Small Business Emergency Assistance Grant Program-Phase 4, funding may be used for reimbursement of certain lost revenue as result of the business interruption caused by COVID-19. Funding cannot be used for capital expenses, including construction.

Funding Disbursement

The $85 million available from the Fund, as established under the CARES Act, will be allocated as follows:

Restaurants: $35 million reserved to support businesses classified as “Food Services and Drinking Places” under NAICS code 722 (described as “Restaurants”), given the disproportionate impact these businesses have experienced due to COVID-19, including caps on on-location dining and unusual costs they incurred to adapt their business models for safe operations; 33 percent of the funding within this category will be directed to support entities that have a commercial business address located (fully or partially) in a census tract that was eligible to selected as New Jersey Opportunity Zone (i.e., a New Market Tax Credit census tract). Because this is a reserve to be used for the applications received, any amount of the 33 percent Opportunity Zone eligible reserve that remains after processing all applications from entities in Opportunity Zone eligible census tracts will be used for any other applicant to the $35 million restaurant funding pool. Similarly, any amount of this $35 million pool that remains after processing all applications from restaurants will be used for any other eligible Phase 4 applicant.

Child Care Providers: $10 million reserved to support businesses classified as “Child Day Care Services” under NAICS code 624410 (described as “Child Care”), given the disproportionate impact these businesses have experienced due to COVID-19, including caps on capacity numbers and unusual costs they incurred to adapt their business models for safe operations; 33 percent of the funding within this category will be directed to support entities that have a commercial business address located (fully or partially) in a census tract that was eligible to selected as New Jersey Opportunity Zone (i.e., a New Market Tax Credit census tract). Because this is a reserve to be used for the applications received, any amount of the 33 percent Opportunity Zone eligible reserve that remains after processing all applications from entities in Opportunity Zone eligible census tracts will be used for any other applicant to the $10 million childcare funding pool. Similarly, any amount of this $10 million pool that remains after processing all applications from child care providers will be used for any other eligible Phase 4 applicant.

Micro-Businesses: $25 million reserved to support businesses that have had 5 or fewer FTEs in each of their past eight quarters of WR-30 filings (including businesses with no FTEs), given the unique financial vulnerability experienced because of COVID-19 by micro-businesses, which typically have lower financial reserves; 33 percent of the funding within this category will be directed to support entities that have a commercial business address (or home address for home-based businesses) located (fully or partially) in a census tract that was eligible to selected as New Jersey Opportunity Zone (i.e., a New Market Tax Credit census tract). Because this is a reserve to be used for the applications received, any amount of the 33 percent Opportunity Zone eligible reserve that remains after processing all applications from entities in Opportunity Zone eligible census tracts will be used for any other applicant to the $25 million micro-business funding pool. Similarly, any amount of this $25 million pool that remains after processing all applications from micro-businesses will be used for any other eligible Phase 4 applicant.

Other Small Businesses: $15 million reserved to support businesses that are not eligible under the micro-business category; 33 percent of the funding within this category will be directed to support entities that have a commercial business address (or home address for home-based businesses) located (fully or partially) in a census tract that was eligible to selected as New Jersey Opportunity Zone (i.e., a New Market Tax Credit census tract). Because this is a reserve to be used for the applications received, any amount of the 33 percent Opportunity Zone eligible reserve that remains after processing all applications from entities in Opportunity Zone eligible census tracts will be used for any other applicant to this $15 million funding pool. Similarly, any amount of this $15 million pool that remains after processing all applications will be used for any other eligible Phase 4 applicant.

An applicant is only eligible for one allocation of funding. For example: if a business is eligible for the Restaurant or Child Care Providers allocation, as determined by its NAICS code, it can only apply for that specific allocation and not the Micro-business or other small business allocation.

If any additional funding becomes available beyond the initial $85 million, that funding will be available to any eligible Phase 4 applicant, regardless of whether they fall into the Restaurants, Child Care Providers, Micro-Businesses, or Other Small Businesses category.

Grant Amounts

Award sizes for all categories, including “Food Services and Drinking Places” businesses with NAICS beginning with 722 and “Child Care Providers” businesses with NAICS code 624410, Micro-Businesses and Small Businesses, are based on FTEs, as follows:

FTEs Award

5 or fewer FTEs, including businesses with no FTEs $10,000

6 to 25 FTEs $15,000

26 to 50 FTEs $20,000

FTEs will be determined for award size in the same manner as for eligibility. If the grant amount for the applicant is greater than the unmet need, the amount will be determined in $500 increments, not to exceed the amount of need. For applicants with an unmet need between $500 and $1,000, the minimum grant award shall be $1,000; no grant amount will be approved if the applicant’s unmet need is less than $500.

Eligible Applicants

To be eligible, applicants must be SMEs with no more than 50 FTEs.

The Authority will utilize the applicant’s New Jersey WR-30 filings with the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development (DLWD). Initially, the highest FTE count of the past eight quarters – 1st Quarter 2019 to 4th Quarter 2020 – will be used, enabling businesses to receive the award corresponding to their peak headcount in 2019 or 2020 rather than their current headcount, which may reflect substantial headcount declines due to significant losses in revenue during the COVID-19 pandemic.

To determine eligibility, the 4th Quarter 2020 WR-30 or 3rd Quarter 2020 WR-30, whichever is the most recently filed, will be reviewed. If the most recent WR-30 FTE count is less than the eligibility threshold, the business will be eligible and receive a grant award based on the largest FTE category. Implied FTE calculations will be rounded to the nearest FTE (e.g., 2.49 FTE would be counted as 2 FTE for the program, whereas 2.50 FTE would be counted as 3 FTE). While the calculation of FTEs is based on weeks worked and wages as reported on the WR-30 filing, in no event will a company receive grant funding based on a number of FTEs that exceeds the number of employees employed by the company, EXCEPT that if a sole proprietor or other applying entity has no FTEs, it may be eligible for the minimum grant award based on business type. For entities like sole proprietors the NJEDA will work with the Division of Taxation in the Department of Treasury, to identify tax filing status.

The SME must have a physical commercial location in the State of New Jersey (e.g., an office, a physical point of sales, a warehouse, manufacturing facility, etc.). With regard to home-based businesses, the home must be located in New Jersey.

Non-profit entities organized under Internal Revenue Code section 501(c) will be eligible, with the exception of organizations whose primary activity is political lobbying.

Prohibited businesses include, but are not limited to: gambling or gaming activities; the conduct or purveyance of “adult” (i.e., pornographic, lewd, prurient, obscene or otherwise similarly disreputable) activities, services, products or materials (including nude or semi-nude performances or the sale of sexual aids or devices); any auction or bankruptcy or fire or “lost-our-lease” or “going-out-of-business” or similar sales; sales by transient merchants, Christmas tree sales or other outdoor storage; any activity constituting a nuisance; or any illegal purposes.

Businesses that were approved for grant funding under Phase 1 to 3 of the Small Business Emergency Assistance Grant Program will be eligible for Phase 4 funding. Funding received in Phases 1 to 3 will not affect the award sizes these businesses are eligible to receive in Phase 4 (except to the extent those prior awards reduce the business’s unmet need to below the grant amount the business would otherwise be eligible for). However, businesses that applied in Phase 1 to 3 will need to re-apply and submit all required documentation regardless of their prior application.

The CEO/equivalent officer of the SME must self-certify that the firm:

Was in operation on February 15, 2020 consistent with the federal Paycheck Protection Program implemented by the Small Business Administration;

Will make a best effort not to furlough or lay off any individuals from the time of application through six months after the end of the declared State of Emergency on March 9, 2020. SMEs that have already furloughed or laid off workers from the time of application must make a best-effort pledge to re-hire those workers as soon as possible. Any material breach of its best efforts certification may result in the NJEDA seeking repayment of the grant;

Has been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 declared state of emergency on March 9, 2020 (e.g., has been temporarily shut down, has been required to reduce hours, has had at least a 20% drop in revenue, has been materially impacted by employees who cannot work due to the outbreak, or has a supply chain that has materially been disrupted and therefore slowed firm-level production); and

Has a material financial need that cannot be overcome without the grant of emergency relief funds at this time (e.g., does not have significant cash reserves that can support the SME during this period of economic disruption).

The SME must be registered to do business in the State of New Jersey, as evidenced by a current registration status from the Division of Taxation. If the SME is not recognized by the Division of Taxation, the SME must provide proof of registration prior to February 15, 2019 and a valid Business Registration Certificate (BRC). The SME will have 4 weeks from initial notification from the NJEDA to satisfy that requirement. No grant agreement will be executed without a current registration status from the Division of Taxation or a valid BRC.

In addition, the SME must satisfy the Division of Taxation’s requirement to ensure that the SME does not have tax debts due to the State. As with Phase 1 to 3, the applicant shall certify that it does not owe any taxes and will be subject to repayment if the certification is not correct.

The SME must be in good standing with DLWD, with all decisions of good standing at the discretion of DLWD’s Commissioner. If the SME is regulated by the Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC), then it must also be in good standing with ABC, with all decisions of good standing at the discretion of the ABC. If the SME is regulated by the Department of Human Services (DHS), then it must also be in good standing with DHS, with all decisions being at the discretion of the DHS. If the SME is regulated by the Department of Children and Families (DCF), then it must also be in good standing with DCF, with all decisions being at the discretion of the DCF.

Entities with multiple Employer Identification Numbers (EINs) can submit one application per EIN. Businesses with multiple locations but only one EIN will be limited to one application (under the sole EIN).

Additional eligibility requirements may apply, which will be based on any applicable Federal requirements tied to the CARES Act funding, including, but not limited to, the following:

Applicants must acknowledge and agree to the requirement that grant proceeds only be used for eligible uses as defined below;
A restriction on duplication of benefits that could exclude potential applicants that have already received emergency COVID-19 assistance; and
A requirement that the applicant demonstrate that it has had negative impacts from COVID-19.

Application Process

Interested SMEs will need to pre-register at https://programs.njeda.com between Wednesday, May 26th at 9:00 a.m. and Wednesday, June 30th at 5:00 p.m. Pre-registration is NOT first-come, first-served, but SMEs are encouraged to begin the process as early as possible.

SMEs THAT DO NOT PRE-REGISTER WILL NOT BE ELIGIBLE FOR PHASE 4 GRANTS.

The pre-application period for Phase 4 funds is being re-opened to enable eligible SMEs to receive available additional funding. The application period will begin at the same time on July 7 or July 8, 2021, according to your business category, without an earlier window for SMEs that were not approved for Phase 3 funding. Online applications will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis, based upon the date in which the Authority receives a completed application submission.

Fees

Due to financial hardship, no fees will be collected by the Authority for this program.

Additional Information

Additional information on the Small Business Emergency Assistance Grant Program may be found at business.nj.gov/COVID.

Click here for full PDF

NJ Wind Turbine Technician Training Grant Challenge

Notice of Funding Availability

Take notice that the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) is seeking applications for the NJ Wind Turbine Tech Training Challenge for solutions to establish an industry-recognized certificate training program to prepare New Jerseyans for careers as offshore wind turbine technicians, a high-growth, high-wage profession that is integral to the growth of the State’s offshore wind sector.

Name of Program: NJ Wind Turbine Technician Training Grant Challenge.

Purpose: Governor Murphy’s economic development plan, “The State of Innovation: Building a Stronger and Fairer New Jersey Economy,” identifies offshore wind as one of the State’s strategic sectors for accelerating growth in New Jersey’s economy. In addition, the plan asserts a commitment to investing in people in order to empower New Jersey students and workers to take advantage of high-growth, high-wage jobs. Governor Murphy’s talent development plan, “JobsNJ: Developing Talent to Grow Business in the Garden State” emphasizes the need to bolster industry recognized post-secondary credential programs that support career pathways. The growth of the offshore wind turbine technician occupation in New Jersey represents an opportunity to realize each of these priorities.

Offshore wind turbine technicians maintain and repair wind turbines. They apply mechanical, hydraulic, electrical, and information technology skills to ensure the turbines operate effectively. Industry places significant value on having a local workforce that is equipped to carry out these critical functions for the operation of wind farms. The workforce need for offshore wind turbine technicians was underscored by industry in discussions organized by the Governor’s WIND Council, per Executive Order No. 79, as well as defined in the New Jersey Offshore Wind Strategic Plan released by NJBPU in September 2020 as offshore wind turbine technician training does not currently exist in New Jersey.

The offshore wind turbine technician occupation has not yet been established in New Jersey, and there is no dedicated training program in the State. The profession is growing rapidly – as more turbines are installed, more wind turbine technicians are needed. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of wind turbine service technicians (including onshore and offshore) is projected to grow 61 percent from 2019 to 2029, significantly outpacing most professions. Establishing a New Jersey based training program will support the development of a locally based, skilled workforce that can meet this demand.

The NJ Wind Turbine Tech Training Challenge aims to establish a training program that enables New Jerseyans to achieve industry-recognized offshore wind turbine technician training and credentials so they can participate in the growing offshore wind industry and help accelerate the State’s growth of the industry.

The NJ Wind Turbine Tech Training Challenge is seeking solutions to establish an industry-recognized certificate training program to prepare New Jerseyans for careers as offshore wind turbine technicians, a high-growth, high-wage profession that is integral to the growth of the State’s offshore wind sector. Through this Challenge, the NJEDA is seeking applications from New Jersey’s community colleges and their collaborators to develop and deliver a training program that will prepare New Jerseyans for offshore wind turbine technician roles. The Authority will select a winning application to be an up to $1 million grant to support implementation.

Applicants must submit proposals that outline compelling plans to:

The community college that is awarded this grant shall use the grant funding to work with industry and other stakeholders to design a curriculum that meets the program’s goals and industry standards and to launch and deliver the program. Potential components of the curriculum may include:

Wind power operations and maintenance;
Wind power technology;
Electrical machinery;
Fluid systems;
Mechanical systems;
Information technology/software programs;
Renewable energy;
Algebra;
OSHA 10; and
Resume writing and interview skills.

Note: Proposals should not include Global Wind Organization Basic Safety & Sea Survival Training. The State is looking to support the development of this program through a separate initiative and it can be assumed students will be able to access this training beginning in 2023.

Eligible Applicants: New Jersey community colleges are the only entities eligible to apply for this grant as a primary applicant. New Jersey’ community colleges have the ability to provide a holistic program with a stackable credential (e.g., a pathway to an Associate degree), have demonstrated experience serving a diverse population, can offer a wide range of support services (e.g., career services, family services, counseling, mentoring, etc.) and are well positioned to convene and work with various parties to support multiple career pathways.

Recognizing that collaborations with labor unions and industry are necessary for the successful development and delivery of the program, any New Jersey community college applying for this grant must submit applications that include plans to collaborate with regional councils or other umbrella labor union groups to meet the program’s goals. Applicants must also include plans to collaborate with representatives of potential employers to ensure curriculum is aligned with industry needs and that the program prepares students for employment in New Jersey’s initial offshore wind projects.

Additionally, community colleges are encouraged to submit applications that include collaborations with other entities as needed to meet program goals such as other community colleges, higher education institutions, training providers, non-profit organizations and/or other private entities. Such collaborations can bolster outreach, recruitment, curriculum development and delivery, support services, hands-on/on-the-job training opportunities (including but not limited to access to internships, apprenticeships, and training facilities), job placement services and other program needs.

Regardless of the number of collaborators, the NJEDA will only enter into an agreement with and award the grant to the single primary applicant (the community college).

Grant Disbursement: Applicants may apply for up to $1 million in grant funding. Only one grant will be awarded under this program. The up to $1 million grant will be disbursed to the winning applicant to support implementation. Eligible uses of grant funding include planning (e.g. staff costs for curriculum development), soft launch (e.g. outreach and recruitment materials, instructor costs), or capital costs (e.g. facility build out, equipment). Applicants must provide a detailed budget that demonstrates how the grant will be used to cover these costs. Applicants that require funding in excess of the grant amount must demonstrate ability to secure these funds.

The winning applicant will enter into a grant agreement with NJEDA. Prior to executing the grant agreement, the grantee will coordinate with NJEDA to ensure labor compliance, including compliance with prevailing wage and Affirmative Action requirements, where applicable.

The grant will be disbursed according to the following milestones:

Twenty Five percent of the grant to be disbursed upon execution of a grant agreement between NJEDA and the highest scoring community college (contingent upon Board approval of the grant award). Applications that require funds in excess of the grant amount must demonstrate proof or commitment for any funding needed in excess of the grant amount prior to the execution of grant agreement. If the selected applicant is not able to demonstrate proof of commitment for any funding needed in excess of the grant such that NJEDA and the selected applicant cannot execute a grant agreement in a timely manner, the Authority reserves the right to terminate the initial selection and award the grant to the next highest scorer.
Fifty percent of the grant to be disbursed upon the college’s presentation of a detailed implementation plan to NJEDA.
Twenty Five percent of the grant will be disbursed upon the launch of the certificate program, expected to be Q1 2023. To receive this final disbursement, the community college must provide sufficient evidence that at least 75 percent of the funding previously received from the first two disbursements was used to pay for eligible planning, soft launch, or capital costs incurred to date.

Evaluation Criteria/Scoring: Applications will be evaluated by an Evaluation Committee comprised of staff from NJEDA, Office of the Secretary of Higher Education (OSHE), and the Department of Labor & Workforce Development. Other Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) from NJ EDA may serve in an advisory role. The Evaluation Committee will evaluate, score and rank applications received based on four primary criteria: 1. Demonstrated ability to develop and deliver industry-recognized training, 2. Demonstrated ability to create career pathways for New Jerseyans, 3. Demonstrated ability to implement, and 4. Resources required, based on the information submitted in applications as set forth in application instructions, which will be posted on NJEDA’s website at https://www.njeda.gov/wind-turbine-training/.

Note: The highest score possibility is 100 points. A minimum score of 80 points must be earned by responses to be considered as a Challenge winner.

Scoring criteria for each component of the evaluation is as follows:

1. No credit: No compelling plan and/or no evidence of ability to execute;

2. Partial credit: Moderately compelling plan and/or minimal evidence of ability to execute; and

3. Full credit: Compelling plan and ample evidence of ability to execute.

Applicants will have the opportunity to receive the points outlined below based on the following criteria:

Criteria 1 – Demonstrated ability to develop and deliver industry-recognized training (Up to 35 points)

Provides a detailed and realistic plan for building and delivering an offshore wind turbine technician training program that will be recognized by industry (Up to 15 points);
Has significant experience delivering best-in-class programs that equip students with the necessary skills needed to be successful in the industry (Up to 10 points);
Outlines a plan that demonstrates a strong understanding of what is required from the training to meet the needs of industry and strategies to engage with industry in the program development (Up to 5 points); and
Details a clear plan for securing qualified instructors that includes evidence of relevant experience securing instructors with specific skill sets for new programs (Up to 5 points).

Criteria 2 – Demonstrated ability to create career pathways for New Jerseyans (Up to 35 points)

Details a compelling approach for delivering a stackable credential, including a credit-bearing certificate and pathway to higher degree(s), with opportunities for hands-on learning (Up to 10 points);
Demonstrates an ability and plan for creating synergies between offshore wind programming and that of other clean energy sectors to broaden opportunities for students (Up to 3 points);
Details a convincing plan for driving equity, diversity and inclusion, including a diversity reporting strategy (Up to 10 points);
Details an effective plan to collaborate with labor union(s) to meet program goals (Up to 5 points); and
Details a realistic and sustainable plan for ensuring affordability for students (Up to 7 points).

Criteria 3 – Demonstrated ability to implement (Up to 15 points)

Details a realistic timetable with clear milestones and a convincing path to target launch of the certificate program by first quarter of 2023 (Up to 5 points);
Has requisite internal expertise assigned specifically to this project (Up to 5 points); and
Demonstrates capacity to provide requisite facilities to successfully meet program goals (Up to 5 points).

Criteria 4 – Resources required (Up to 15 points)

Grant funds requested (Up to 3 points – Application with the lowest amount of requested funds will be awarded 3 points; all other applications will be awarded a pro-rated number of points based on the percent difference from the lowest requested grant amount).
Defines a clear project budget and financing strategy for development and long-term sustainable operation of the program, including outlining costs to be covered by grant and defining funding sources for project costs that exceed the grant amount. Applications that require funding in excess of the grant must clearly demonstrate the applicant’s ability, including timing, to secure all necessary funding required to deliver the program and meet program goals. (Up to 12 points).

Application Process: Entities interested in applying for the program should visit the Authority’s website at https://www.njeda.gov/wind-turbine-training/ to access the application instructions, application, information on submitting questions and any other application or reference materials.

The NJEDA will post the application on Wednesday, June 16, 2021. The deadline for applicants to submit questions is June 30, 2021. Applications will be accepted no later than Friday, July 23, 2021, at 5:00 PM.

Applicants should read the application instructions posted to the Authority’s webpage at https://www.njeda.gov/wind-turbine-training/ for more information for further guidance on the process by which applications must be submitted for this program.

Because this is a competitive program, no applications will be reviewed until the deadline has passed and the Authority has collected all applications that have been submitted by the application deadline (Friday, July 23, 2021, 5:00 PM).

Fees: No application fee will be collected by the Authority for this program.

Additional Information: More information on the Wind Turbine Technician Training Grant Challenge may be found at https://www.njeda.gov/wind-turbine-training/.

Click here for the PDF

21^st Century Redevelopment Program

Notice of Funding Availability

The NJEDA will begin accepting applications beginning Monday, May 24, 2021, 9:00 AM. Applications will be accepted no later than Thursday, July 8, 2021, 5:00 PM.

Applicants should read the application instructions posted to the Authority’s webpage at https://www.njeda.gov/21stcentury/ for more information.

Background

A number of demographic and economic trends are re-shaping where people in New Jersey live and work, with many suburbs experiencing an outmigration of jobs and population similar to those that cities have experienced previously. New Jersey now has a surplus of suburban retail and office parks.

Suburban offices and shopping malls boomed during the 1980s and 1990s, when the supply of cheap land and easy access to highways were a strong attraction. These properties are now over a quarter-century old and are outmoded and less desirable, and many are sitting empty or are underutilized. Most importantly, real estate markets have shifted, with corporations trying to attract a younger talent pool seeking locations either close to transit or with neighborhood amenities within walking distance. This urban centric trend is happening nationally, with GE moving from Fairfield, CT to Boston; McDonald’s moving from Oak Brook, IL to Chicago; and Weyerhaeuser moving to Pioneer Square in Seattle from a 430-acre campus outside the city. Many suburban municipalities that are car-based, have multiple or no town centers and are facing stagnation or even a population exodus.

Many of New Jersey’s suburban municipalities with no town centers (or multiple small “centers,”) that are car-dependent and largely made up of single-family detached homes, are at risk. These municipalities must strategically plan their land use to attract or keep young residents and employers.

A glut of corporate campuses, underutilized malls and shopping centers, and vacant office buildings left behind by the 1980-1990s building boom have become a drain on many New Jersey communities. As a result, these communities are dealing with the loss of tax revenues, the costs of maintaining infrastructure and roads around these properties, and a lack of resources to solve the issues. These challenges are compounded by the preferences of millennials and young people to live in walkable communities with vibrant mixed-use corridors.

Local government entities face hurdles planning the retrofitting, redevelopment, and repurposing of large stranded assets.

The growing need for newer, suburban municipalities to address challenges related to significant office and retail vacancy adds to the needs that have existed and, in some cases, continues to exist in older cities and suburbs. To allow New Jersey to better attract economic activity and jobs, the Authority intends to support municipalities, counties, or redevelopment agencies to produce plans that will explore strategies and next steps to repurpose these properties.

Overview

The 21st Century Redevelopment Program will provide grants of up to $50,000 each to eligible redevelopment agencies, municipalities, or counties to undertake planning efforts aimed at addressing the challenges of significant vacancies (for at least two consecutive years) of a building or buildings previously used for commercial or retail purposes, such as shopping malls or plazas, or office parks.

In addition to the $50,000 in grant funding, recipients will be offered technical support provided by the Division of Policy, Planning, and Research at NJEDA and the Office of Local Planning Services at New Jersey Department of Community Affairs. These services will be limited in scope depending upon Authority/Department resources and can be defined in coordination with a consultant or professional services firm following grant approval.

Applications must clearly identify how the municipality, county, or redevelopment authority intends to approach the planning project. The Authority is not limiting the grant funding to specific uses, but expects the grant would most likely be used to support any approach or combination of approaches as described below:

Legal analysis to explore the appropriateness of designating one or more relevant properties in the community as an area in need of redevelopment.
Determining cost-benefits of retrofitting, redeveloping or regreening the property or properties
Driving economic growth for the locality and region
Creating greater social, economic, and environmental sustainability
Expanding affordable and multi-family housing
Attracting employers and a diverse, talented workforce
Expanding entrepreneurial opportunities and support local businesses
Promoting walkable neighborhoods and improve accessibility and mobility
Connecting to public transportation
Improving livability and healthy outcomes for the local population
Stakeholder engagement and facilitation to identify community desires and needs.
The identification of appropriate funding sources to support community led re-use of one or more properties.
Cataloging relevant retail and office properties in a community and identifying priority sites when considering community needs.
Economic analysis relating to the feasibility of various redevelopment and/or reuse scenarios.
Land-use planning identifying the most suitable re-use scenarios.

Applications must also submit a timeline that demonstrates that the planning project can be completed within 6 months of execution of a grant agreement with the Authority. Once grant funding is awarded, the Authority may authorize a three-month extension to a grant recipient’s deadline for plan completion, upon written request, if the Authority deems the extension necessary.

Eligible Applicants

Only a New Jersey local or county government or redevelopment agency is eligible to submit an application for the 21st Century Redevelopment Challenge.

Eligible municipalities, counties, or redevelopment agencies are permitted to enter into a partnership for the purposes of submitting an application for a single planning project. In the case of such a partnership, the partnership must designate ONE lead municipality or county government who will have the following responsibilities:

Serve as the sole entity under whose name the application will be submitted.
Serve as the sole entity with whom the Authority would execute a grant agreement (in the event of an application approval).
Provide (directly or in coordination with other governmental partners) the twenty percent (20%) match (funding or in-kind resources).
Serve as the sole entity receiving disbursements from the Authority per the terms of the grant agreement and distributing the disbursements among partners, as necessary, to execute the planning project.
Serve as the sole entity responsible for meeting the deliverables of the contract.
While partnerships as described above are permitted, the Authority will NOT consider applications submitted by joint ventures or conditioned on the creation of a joint venture to perform the Work for this Application.

Applicants shall note that any and all reference to “joint venture(s)”, “joint venture partner(s) / “joint venture partnership(s)” in any documents included as a part of the Application specifications, exhibits or attachments shall be read as though the words are stricken and removed.

A municipality, county, or redevelopment agency may only submit one application each in a lead role but can be included as a partner in additional applications where they play a non-lead role. A proposal on behalf of a county or county redevelopment agency does not preclude a municipality within that county from submitting their own proposal.

Applicants that are approved for grant funding must agree to share ownership of deliverables with the Authority for the purpose of making results publicly available to foster a dynamic discussion about repurposing stranded assets and to assist other similarly situated municipalities. Approved applicants must also agree to participate in at least 2 events hosted by EDA to share lessons learned with other New Jersey municipalities and counties facing stranded assets challenges.

Eligible Properties

As part of the application, the municipality, county, or redevelopment agency must present a site or facility or collection of properties suffering from significant vacancies that will be the focus of the planning project. This may be a building, corporate campuses that were used by a single entity, buildings that are adjacent to each other, or buildings across a parking surface or structure that is dedicated for use by the buildings.

Property eligibility will be limited to sites that were previously used primarily for office or retail purposes.

Match Requirement

To be considered eligible for a contract award, applications must demonstrate ability to provide a twenty percent (20%) matching contribution of the total grant amount to be reinvested back into the planning project.

The twenty percent (20%) match can be in the form of a financial contribution, or a contribution of in-kind resources, or a combination, thereof. In-kind resources are defined as non-monetary resources that will add value and help advance the planning project.

As part of the required documentation to accompany an application, applicants must demonstrate the ability to provide either a twenty percent (20%) financial match or demonstrate that the in-kind resources that are being dedicated to the project have a value equivalent to twenty percent (20%) of the funding request. This could be in the form of hours dedicated to the planning project across proposed hourly rates, or the value of goods or services being provided to support the planning project.

Grant Disbursement

Grant disbursements will only be made to the Lead Municipality/County/Redevelopment Agency. The Lead Municipality/County/Redevelopment Agency shall be responsible for assuring the compliance of any municipal, county, or strategic partners with all terms and conditions of this application and assumes the sole and absolute responsibility for any payments due to any municipal, county, or strategic partners.

All Applicants who are successfully awarded 21st Century Redevelopment grants will follow a uniform disbursement schedule. The Lead Municipality/County/Redevelopment Agency will receive 50% of the grant amount, upon execution of grant agreement, 25% of the grant amount will be disbursed on or around the halfway point of the grant term upon EDA’s receipt and approval of a progress report, and 25 % to be disbursed upon completion and submission of final plan.

At a minimum, the progress report referenced above should include:

Summary of funds expended to date, and;
Narrative detailing milestones achieved and overall progress toward completion of final plan.

Evaluation Criteria / Scoring:

Applications will be evaluated by a cross-organizational Evaluation Committee composed of the Authority’s staff, management, and possibly other state agencies and/or industry Subject Matter Experts (SME’s) to evaluate, score and rank applications received in response to the Application, and the criteria established in this notice.

Applications will be evaluated & scored on the criteria listed below (# 1 – 7), based on the information submitted in applications as set forth in Application Instructions (Section VI – Technical Proposal)

It is the policy of the New Jersey Economic Development Authority that to be considered for award, a Proposer must achieve or exceed an overall score of sixty five (“65”) indicating a rating of “Good”, on a scale of 10-100 with 100 being the highest rating. The Authority shall be under no obligation to make an award to an applicant which does not achieve this minimum scoring threshold.

The point scale below will be assigned as follows for evaluation criteria 1:

0 points – Feature is absent.

1 – 7 points – Feature is present but shows deficiencies.

8-11 points – Meets requirements.

12-17 – points – Marginally exceeds requirements.

18-20 points – Significantly exceeds requirements.

Applications will be assigned points against the following criteria:

1. Identification of Project Purpose and Merits (Up to 20 points) – Proposals Identify opportunities for creating vibrancy in the community, including but not limited to:

Presence of an articulated public use component (such as public space, parks, etc).
Ability to address locality-specific needs and challenges.
Emphasis on long term viability and adaptability of a given concept.
Dedication to principles of environmental sustainability, such as stormwater management and reduced carbon emissions.
Ability to consider and mitigate any past difficulties that created challenges for a given asset/grouping of assets.
Ability to identify and balance local needs with those of the region and state as a whole.

The point scale below will be assigned as follows for evaluation criteria 2:

0 points – No effect on municipal area.

1 – 7 points – Minimal effect on municipal area.

8-12 points – Moderate effect on municipal area.

13-20 points – Significant effect on municipal area.

Applications will be assigned points against the following criteria:

2. Scope and Scale (Up to 20 points)- Preference will go to identified project areas that can display scope and scale, which will be evaluated based on the following:

Total available square footage on the site, including parking.
Size of the site relative to the greater municipal area (i.e. as a percentage).
Vacancy rate and/or length of time the site has been vacant.
Vacant commercial/office space of or within the site relative to all vacant space in the greater municipal area (i.e. as a percentage)
Historically site(s) responsible for providing an outsized portion of local employment opportunities in the community (i.e. as a percentage)
Historically significant portion of municipal tax levy (i.e. as percentage)

The point scale below will be assigned as follows for evaluation criteria 3:

1-5 points – Demonstrates minor structural challenge

6-12 points – Demonstrates 2 -3 structural challenges

13-20 points – Demonstrates more than 3 structural challenges

Applications will be assigned points against the following criteria:

3. Commitment to Social Impacts (Up to 20 points) – Preference will go to sites located in municipalities facing inherent structural challenges (i.e. lacking public transit, planning resources, challenging geography etc.).

The point scale below will be assigned as follows for evaluation criteria 4-6:

1-5 points- Feature is present but shows deficiencies

5-7 points – Meets requirements

7-10 points – Significantly exceeds requirements

Applications will be assigned points against the following criteria:

4. Previous Record (Up to 10 points) – Preference will go to municipalities who can demonstrate a track record of:

Partnership and engagement with private industry for purposes of re-development.
Adherence to the municipality’s affordable housing obligations
Dedication to principles of environmental sustainability.
Efforts to advance walkability and bike facilities in the municipality.

5. Presence and Strength of Regional Partnership (Up to 10 points)- Preference will go to entities who are able to display strong local leadership as well as regional collaboration towards re-development efforts. Applications should demonstrate a commitment by local leadership to engage in re-development projects with neighboring municipalities, the county, and/or higher-education institutions whether by a record of past project involvement or a commitment to future efforts, or both. Preference will be given to applications that include a local match from the property owner or an anchor institution (higher education, medical center, foundation, etc.).

6. Community Engagement (Up to 10 points) – Preference will go to communities that are able to display efforts to engage local residents and businesses in planning efforts. Local interest may be shown in the form of both past and present support, whether formal (municipal resolutions) or informal (community discussion and engagement).

The point scale below will be assigned as follows for evaluation criteria 7:

5 points – MRI Distress Score 30-39

7 Points – MRI Distress Score 40-49

10 Points – MRI Distress Score 50 or higher

Applications will be assigned points against the following criteria:

7. Municipal Revitalization Index Score (0 to 10 points) – The Municipal Revitalization Index (MRI) serves as the State’s official measure and ranking of municipal distress. The MRI ranks New Jersey’s municipalities according to eight separate indicators that measure diverse aspects of social, economic, physical, and fiscal conditions in each locality.

In the case of multiple municipalities on a single application, an application will receive the requisite number of points based on the ranking of the municipalities within the application, on a cumulative basis, but not to exceed a total of 10 for the category. For example, if an application includes three municipalities ranked between 25-50 on the MRI Index, the application will receive a score of “6” for the criterion. If the application includes two municipalities ranked in the top 1-5 on the MRI Index, the application will receive a score of “10” for the criterion. If a county or redevelopment agency is involved in an application in a lead role or as a partner, the application receives points based on all municipalities within that county that are part of the scope of the planning project.

Application Process:

Entities interested in applying for the program should visit the Authority’s website at https://www.njeda.gov/21stcentury/ to access the application instructions, application, and any other application or reference materials.

The NJEDA will begin accepting applications beginning Monday, May 24, 2021, 9:00 AM. Applications will be accepted no later than Thursday, July 8, 2021, 5:00 PM.

Applicants should read the application instructions posted to the Authority’s webpage for further guidance on the process by which applications must be submitted for this program.

Fees

No application fee will be collected by the Authority for this program.

Additional Information

Additional information on the 21^st Century Redevelopment Program may be found at www.njeda.gov/21stcentury

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