NJ Small Business Lease Grant

The Northeast Organic Farming Association of Vermont (NOFA-VT) offers annual Farmer Resilience Grants to projects that have a positive social, environmental, and economic impact in their community. Farmers can earn between $2,000 and $5,000 for their projects.

The Vibrant Places program supports local businesses that invest in improvements to their exterior appearance, including facades, landscaping, signage, and windows. The goal of the program is to enhance the vibrancy and improve the physical appearance of our commercial, industrial and mixed-use buildings. Grants range from $1,500-$50K based on business location and project scope. Maximum grant amount: $30K-$50K, depending on the location of the business. Businesses are required to contribute matching funds toward the total project cost. Funding is provided on a reimbursement basis. Businesses must cover expenses upfront and request reimbursement after project completion. Not all project components may qualify for reimbursement.

This training program helps Iowa businesses fund customized training for current employees. The program is designed to foster the growth and competitiveness of Iowa’s business and industry by ensuring that Iowa’s workforce has the skills and expertise to compete with any workforce outside the state of Iowa. The grant covers basic adult education, job-related instruction (or on-the-job training), skills assessments, testing and evaluation of employees, and travel reimbursement. Each of Iowa’s community colleges assists businesses with the development of training plans that are funded by forgivable loans. The maximum award is $25,000 for each project at a business site. A business site may be approved for multiple projects-with maximum funding over three years not to exceed $100,000. A cash match is required for projects exceeding $4,999.

The New Jersey Clean Tech Research and Development (R&D) Voucher Program provides early-stage New Jersey based clean technology 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 accelerate development and innovation of clean technologies, helping companies transform research stage discoveries into commercially viable technologies that attract industry and investor interest. Eligible target areas include chemicals and advanced materials, energy distribution and storage, energy efficiency, energy generation, green buildings, transportation, waste processing, and water and agriculture. Funds are paid directly to participating core facilities (which include New Jersey based colleges and universities, federal labs, NJEDA approved Strategic Innovation Centers, and approved nonprofit organizations) rather than to the business itself, and may be used for access to labs, equipment, makerspaces, and technology centers, use of facility equipment and technicians for testing and development, training to prepare for independent use of equipment, access to datasets at participating facilities, and supplies and consumables needed to operate that equipment. Applicants can apply for multiple CSIT vouchers up to a combined cap of $40,000 in any 12-month period. To qualify, applicants must be a for-profit company authorized and in good standing to conduct business in New Jersey (nonprofits are not eligible), 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 hold a current NJ Tax Clearance Certificate listing CSIT. Approved projects must fall within Technology Readiness Levels 1 through 7 (from basic research through full-scale prototype demonstration in a relevant environment). Manufacturing of products for sale or commercial use and real estate rental expenses are not eligible. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis 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 before their application is complete.

The Rhode Island Lift Program is a strategic investment initiative designed to fuel the growth and successful capital raise of high-impact life sciences companies in Rhode Island. This competitive program provides a non-dilutive funding boost to companies that have finalized or recently closed a funding round. By offering this last infusion of capital, the program helps high-potential life sciences ventures scale their operations, drive innovation, and strengthen their impact on the state’s economy, industry growth, and patient outcomes. Through this support, Rhode Island continues to position itself as a leader in life sciences advancement and commercialization.