TRENTON, N.J. (November 24, 2020) – The New Jersey Commission on Science, Innovation and Technology today announced that early-stage innovation companies engaged in the Federal Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer Program (STTR) funding can now apply for financial assistance through the New Jersey SBIR/STTR Direct Financial Assistance Program. This marks the second consecutive year that CSIT is offering the program, which was created to enhance the state’s innovation economy by strengthening the competitiveness of Garden State businesses engaged in the federal SBIR/STTR Program. The application can be found at https://www.njeda.gov/csit. 

The federal SBIR and STTR grant programs provide more than $3 billion each year to small businesses in a variety of technology and life sciences areas that propose innovative ideas that meet specific federal research and development (R&D) needs. The SBIR program enables small businesses to explore their technological potential and provides the incentive to profit from its commercialization. The STTR program funds cooperative R&D partnerships between small businesses and research institutions such as universities, federal R&D centers, or non-profits. The programs are open to U.S.-based, for-profit small businesses with fewer than 500 employees.

“Governor Phil Murphy has made a strong commitment to reclaiming New Jersey’s role as a leader in innovation while focusing on increasing diversity and inclusion in the state’s innovation ecosystem,” said CSIT Chairman Gunjan Doshi. “Through initiatives like the New Jersey SBIR/STTR Direct Financial Assistance Program, CSIT is furthering this goal by connecting early-stage companies with capital they need to accelerate the commercialization of their technologies.”

Doshi noted that this round of the New Jersey SBIR/STTR Direct Financial Assistance Program will offer $550,000 in grants to New Jersey small businesses in two program components. The first component (Direct funding) will provide $25,000 grants to twelve (12) small businesses that have received a federal SBIR/STTR Phase I, Fast-Track or Direct to Phase II award/contract. The second component (Bridge funding) will provide $50,000 grants to five (5) NJ small businesses that have successfully completed Phase I and have applied for Phase II of the federal SBIR/STTR program. These funds can be utilized to maintain project activities and cover general operating costs.

“Emerging New Jersey companies have a proven track record of discovering and developing ground-breaking technologies and life-saving therapies that impact the global marketplace,” said CSIT Executive Director Judith Sheft. “Funding through this program will serve to bolster their financial positions as they vie for federal grants and continue their critical R&D.”   

The application, which can be accessed directly at https://application.njeda.com/CSIT, will be open until January 8, 2021. CSIT will hold an informational webinar on December 9 for potential program applicants to learn about the application process. A link to the webinar will be available at https://www.njeda.gov/csit.

“Providing funds through the NJ SBIR/STTR Direct Financial Assistance Program not only supports the efforts of emerging New Jersey companies as they collaborate with governmental agencies, but also adds to the attractiveness that the Garden State offers small, innovation-focused businesses considering growing here,” said State Senator Robert Singer.

In keeping with the Governor’s vision, applications from businesses located in an Opportunity Zone-eligible census tract, minority- or woman-owned businesses or businesses with technology coming out of New Jersey universities are all eligible for bonus points with respect to the scoring criteria. Additionally, applicants who are winning a federal award for the first time will also receive a scoring bonus.

“Two of New Jersey’s greatest assets are the diversity of its people and the talent of its workforce,” said Assemblyman Andrew Zwicker. “Ensuring that New Jersey scientists and innovators have the resources they need to compete on the worldwide stage is fundamental to our duties as Commission members and as leaders of the innovation ecosystem.”

In addition to Senator Singer and Assemblyman Zwicker, Senator Paul Sarlo and Assemblyman Christopher DePhillips are members of the bi-partisan Commission, which also includes representatives from the public and private sectors, as well as academia.

The New Jersey SBIR/STTR Support Program awarded state funding to13 companies during its initial round.

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Encourages Research Collaboration Between New Jersey and Israel

Newark, N.J. (May 14, 2020) – The New Jersey Commission on Science, Innovation and Technology (CSIT), the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA), and the New Jersey – Israel Commission today encouraged businesses and researchers within the Garden State’s clean energy sector to submit proposals for “BIRD Energy” grant funding of up to $1 million. Entities partnering with an Israeli company or university on a clean-energy project can get more details about the competitive funding opportunities at https://www.birdf.com/bird-energy-call-proposals/. Executive summaries for the proposals are being accepted through June 30, 2020. 

BIRD Energy is a collaborative effort between the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), the Israel Ministry of Energy, the Israel Innovation Authority and the Israel – U.S. Binational Industrial Research and Development (BIRD) Foundation.

“Governor Phil Murphy unveiled an ambitious Energy Master Plan earlier this year that sets New Jersey on a course to 100 percent clean energy by 2050,” said Brian Sabina, NJEDA Senior Vice President, Office of Economic Transformation “BIRD Energy funding can help small businesses and researchers in New Jersey’s innovation ecosystem play a major role in attaining that ambition.”

To be considered, a project proposal should include:

  • Research & development (R&D) cooperation between two companies or cooperation between a company and a university/research institution (one from the U.S. and one from Israel)
  • Innovation in all areas of renewable energy and energy efficiency, such as solar and wind power, advanced vehicle technologies and alternative fuels, smart grid, storage, water-energy nexus, advanced manufacturing, artificial intelligence for energy management, etc.
  • Innovation in natural gas and other associated technologies
  • Significant commercial potential; the project outcome should lead to commercialization

The maximum conditional grant is $1 million per project, and no more than 50 percent of the joint R&D budget.

“New Jersey has a significant number of businesses in the clean energy sector that are working tirelessly to move the Garden State toward energy independence,” said CSIT Executive Director Judith Sheft. “Connecting these businesses and researchers with the funding they need to conduct groundbreaking work is essential to keeping New Jersey at the forefront of innovation.”

The BIRD Foundation works to encourage and facilitate cooperation between U.S. and Israeli companies in a wide range of technology sectors and offers funding to selected projects.

“New Jersey companies can greatly benefit from the BIRD program to increase their competitiveness in an increasingly global marketplace,” said Andrea Yonah, BIRD’s U.S. Director of Business Development for the East Coast and Midwest. “In addition to the funding, these collaborations can lead to increased revenue, follow-on investment and validation of their technology.”

Yonah noted that, in 2018 and 2019, four New Jersey companies were approved for projects with their partners in Israel. Two out of the four projects are energy-related. The BIRD Foundation believes that there are many more companies in New Jersey that qualify and encourages them to apply. Companies with questions about their proposals – or those seeking an Israeli collaborator – can reach out directly to Yonah at andrea@birdf.com.

Andrew Gross, Executive Director of the New Jersey – Israel Commission, sees BIRD Energy as critical to furthering the already solid relationship among New Jersey and Israeli companies and researchers in the clean energy sector.
“Many thanks to the BIRD Foundation for raising this opportunity with New Jersey,” Gross said. “This Commission continues to cultivate and support the synergy that exists between the Garden State and the Startup Nation so we can strengthen our economy and innovate for the future.”
 
About CSIT
In August 2018, Governor Phil Murphy signed legislation re-establishing the former New Jersey Commission on Science and Technology as the New Jersey Commission on Science, Innovation and Technology. The Commission is tasked with leading the way in promoting the state as a home for academic and technological research, development, and commercialization. The Commission is comprised of 17 members including the State’s Chief Innovation Officer, the Secretary of Higher Education; the Commissioner of Education; and the Chief Executive Officer of the NJEDA.

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