The New Jersey Commission on Science, Innovation, and Technology (CSIT) has awarded nearly $1.3 million in grants to 17 startups as part of the fourth round of its Clean Tech Research & Development Seed Grant Program. The funding aims to help early-stage companies develop clean technology products and services that can move from research into commercial markets. Since 2020, CSIT has approved 150 awards totaling $13 million for clean tech businesses in New Jersey.
“Funding New Jersey startups through grant programs like the Clean Tech Research & Development Seed Grant helps build a stronger economy for the future,” said CSIT Executive Director Judith Sheft. “Cultivating companies within our state during their formative years helps them establish roots in New Jersey and position them for future financial growth, sustainability, and economic mobility for years to come.”
The program was developed by CSIT together with the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA). It provides grants up to $75,000 for research and development activities to very early-stage clean technology firms based in New Jersey. The goal is to help these companies reach a stage where they can attract outside investment or begin generating revenue. Of this year’s awardees, 72 percent have five or fewer employees, and 58 percent are certified as minority- or women-owned businesses.
“New Jersey’s startups are among the very best in the nation and truly place the State at the forefront of innovation,” said CSIT Chair and BioNJ Founding President and CEO Debbie Hart. “The Clean Tech Research & Development Seed Grant Program reinforces the State’s commitment to its small businesses and nurtures advancements across a range of innovation areas aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions. We have seen early-stage companies leverage CSIT funding 15X in follow-on funding and accelerate their development trajectory.”
Mary Maples, Acting Chief Executive Officer of NJEDA, stated: “Governor Murphy has invested robust resources to create a strong innovation ecosystem, making New Jersey a top state in the nation to grow and scale a startup. CSIT’s Clean Tech Research & Development Seed Grant program helps entrepreneurs secure funding for vitally important research and new technologies that create new high-paying jobs, grow our economy, and solidify New Jersey’s reputation as a leader in equitable, diverse, and transformative innovation.”
Funding for this grant program comes from the New Jersey Board of Public Utility’s (NJBPU) Clean Energy Program. This initiative supports progress toward goals outlined in New Jersey’s Energy Master Plan—created in 2019 and updated in 2024—which targets achieving 100 percent clean energy by 2035.
“New Jersey’s legacy as a hub of innovation and entrepreneurial excellence continues to thrive through initiatives like the Clean Tech Seed Grant Program,” said NJBPU President Christine Guhl-Sadovy. “Our collaboration with NJEDA and CSIT reflects a strategic, cross-agency commitment to fostering transformative technologies that strengthen our clean energy ecosystem and drive sustainable economic growth across the state.”
Awarded companies are working on projects involving fusion energy, solar technology innovations, microgrids, fuel cells, advanced materials, and recycling.
CSIT was re-established by legislation signed by Governor Murphy in August 2018. The commission includes representatives from public agencies, private industry, and academia who promote academic research as well as technological development across New Jersey.
NJEDA plays an important role by offering low-interest financing options along with other investment tools designed to support business growth throughout the state (official site). The authority also focuses on diversity initiatives that foster equitable access while supporting communities (official website). In addition to promoting job creation through various programs (official website), NJEDA extends its influence internationally via partnerships that leverage New Jersey’s status as an import-export hub (official page). The organization provides tax credits as well as community support programs designed specifically for innovative enterprises (official page). It operates within the public sector focusing on both economic growth initiatives and community development efforts (official website). In recent years it played an instrumental role enacting policies such as the Economic Recovery Act of 2020 to stimulate job creation amid disruptions caused by global events (official website).
A full list of grant recipients is available from CSIT.
