NJ Catalyst R&D Voucher

The New Jersey Catalyst Research and Development (R&D) Voucher Program provides early-stage New Jersey based companies with vouchers of up to $40,000 to subsidize access to research and development equipment, facilities, and makerspaces at participating "core facilities" across the state. Administered by the New Jersey Commission on Science, Innovation and Technology (CSIT) in collaboration with the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA), the program is designed to support early-stage companies in transforming new discoveries from the research stage into commercially viable technologies that attract industry and investor interest. Eligible target areas include advanced manufacturing, advanced transportation and logistics, film and digital media, life sciences (both therapeutic drug development and other applications), non-retail food and beverage, professional and financial services, and technology.

Funds are paid directly to participating core facilities (which include New Jersey based two-year and four-year colleges and universities, federal labs, and approved nonprofit organizations) rather than to the business itself, and may be used for the use of facility equipment and technicians for testing and development, as well as training to prepare for independent use of facility equipment. Applicants can apply for multiple vouchers up to a combined cap of $40,000 in any 12-month period.

To qualify, applicants must be authorized and in good standing to conduct business in New Jersey (with a current NJ Tax Clearance Certificate listing CSIT), have no more than 50 full-time-equivalent workers, have at least one full-time worker, conduct 50 percent or more of cumulative work hours in New Jersey, generate less than or equal to $5 million in prior calendar year sales revenue (excluding grant revenue), and have received fewer than three total vouchers over the life of the company across all rounds of the Catalyst R&D Voucher Pilot Program and the Clean Tech R&D Voucher Pilot Program combined. Applications are accepted as long as program funds remain available, and applicants must secure a written letter of support, agreed scope of work, and agreed budget from a participating core facility as part of the application process.