FLC | Voucher program to support clean tech collaborations in NJ opens April 5

Voucher program to support clean tech collaborations in NJ opens April 5

March 31, 2021

Starting on April 5, small businesses in New Jersey can apply for vouchers of up to $15,000 to support technology development or testing in collaboration with federal laboratory facilities in the same state, as part of a program from the New Jersey Commission on Science, Innovation and Technology (CSIT).

The CSIT's Clean Tech Research and Development (R&D) Voucher Program, which also supports partnerships between New Jersey small businesses and universities, is designed to help early-stage New Jersey clean technology companies more easily access resources such as specialized equipment within the Garden State. CSIT developed the program in coordination with the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) and the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA).

“We developed the Clean Tech R&D Voucher Program first and foremost to support the many innovative clean technology companies working to impact the global marketplace,” said NJEDA Chief Executive Officer Tim Sullivan. “At the same time, it will increase access to, and awareness and utilization of, the State’s physical clean tech innovation-related amenities. This program will be a terrific tool for attracting companies to the Garden State, a top priority as we continue to recapture New Jersey’s role as a leader in innovation.”

Each eligible applicant can apply for multiple vouchers up to a cap of $15,000 within any 12-month period. An approved voucher will be valid for a period of three months. A total of $435,000 is available; applications will be accepted beginning April 5 on a rolling basis until the funding is expended.

Eligible applicants will receive vouchers to subsidize the costs associated with one or more of the following services or activities in a participating New Jersey university or federal laboratory facility: use of facility equipment for testing and development, and training in preparation for independent use of the facility. Each applicant must obtain a signed approval letter from a participating NJ university research facility or government lab confirming that the facility is capable and willing to provide the services that will be supported by the voucher

Specifically, the program will fund work on projects that are developing or testing clean technologies intended to recapture or avoid emissions of 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, and water and agriculture. A NJ clean tech asset map listing university and federal laboratory resources in NJ will also be available on the CSIT website.

Learn more and apply at the CSIT website: https://www.njeda.com/csit/ (scroll down to Grant Opportunities)