Small Business Grants in New Jersey
New Jersey's strategic location between New York City and Philadelphia, combined with one of the most highly educated workforces in the country, creates significant opportunities for small businesses. The state has invested heavily in innovation and business development programs, particularly in life sciences, technology, clean energy, and advanced manufacturing. While operating costs can be high, New Jersey's grant programs help offset expenses and fuel growth.
Economic Overview
New Jersey has approximately 880,000 small businesses employing over 1.8 million workers. The economy spans pharmaceuticals and life sciences, financial services, technology, food production, logistics, and tourism. The state has the highest density of scientists and engineers per square mile in the US. New Jersey's location provides access to the entire Northeast Corridor market. The state has been investing in revitalizing its cities, creating new opportunities in places like Newark, Jersey City, and New Brunswick.
State Grant Programs
The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) offers numerous programs including the Small Business Improvement Grant, the Small Business Lease Grant, tax credits through Aspire and Emerge programs, and the NJ Innovation Evergreen Fund for tech companies. The Edison Innovation Fund provides grants and loans to technology and life sciences companies. The NJ SBDC has offices across the state. The NJ Commission on Science, Innovation and Technology (CSIT) supports technology companies with grants and mentorship.
How to Apply
Visit the NJEDA website — they have the most comprehensive suite of small business grants in the state. Contact the NJ SBDC for free advising. Life sciences and tech companies should explore the Edison Innovation Fund and CSIT programs. Register at SAM.gov for federal grants. Newark, Jersey City, and other cities have their own local programs.
Featured Opportunities63 Active
Award Amount
$4,000 - $4,000
NASE Growth Grant
Award Amount
$10,000 - $50,000
Amber Grant for Women
Award Amount
$275,000 - $305,000
NSF SBIR Phase I (America's Seed Fund)
Award Amount
$10,000 - $500,000
USDA Rural Business Development Grants
Award Amount
$1,000 - $10,000
Skip Monthly Business Grants
Award Amount
$5,000 - $25,000
IFundWomen Universal Grant Application
Award Amount
$10,000 - $10,000
Verizon Small Business Digital Ready
Award Amount
$10,000 - $10,000
Venmo Small Business Grant
Award Amount
$50,000 - $275,000
DOD SBIR Phase I
Award Amount
$150,000 - $293,297
NIH SBIR/STTR Phase I
Award Amount
$50,000 - $200,000
DOE SBIR/STTR Phase I
Award Amount
$50,000 - $100,000
EPA SBIR Phase I
Award Amount
$75,000 - $750,000
USDA Value-Added Producer Grant
Award Amount
$2,500 - $1,000,000
USDA Rural Energy for America (REAP)
Award Amount
$600,000 - $5,000,000
EDA Public Works Program
Award Amount
$150,000 - $2,500,000
EDA Economic Adjustment Assistance
Award Amount
$250,000 - $2,000,000
EDA Build to Scale (Venture Challenge)
Award Amount
$75,000 - $150,000
SBA Growth Accelerator Fund Competition
Award Amount
$50,000 - $4,500,000
SBA HUBZone Program
Award Amount
$50,000 - $4,500,000
SBA 8(a) Business Development Program
Award Amount
$50,000 - $4,500,000
SBA Women-Owned Small Business Contracting
Award Amount
$5,000 - $25,000
Hello Alice Small Business Growth Fund
Award Amount
$20,000 - $20,000
Allstate Main Street Grants (Hello Alice)
Award Amount
$10,000 - $50,000
Fund Her Future Grant (H&R Block)
Award Amount
$1,000 - $15,000
Kiva 0% Interest Microloans
Award Amount
$15,000 - $25,000
Amazon Business Small Business Grant
Award Amount
$2,000 - $350,000
Google for Startups Cloud Program
Award Amount
$20,000 - $20,000
Intuit QuickBooks Small Business Hero
Award Amount
$10,000 - $10,000
Ladies Who Launch Program
Award Amount
$500 - $2,500
Freed Fellowship Grant
Award Amount
$25,000 - $100,000
MassChallenge Accelerator (Equity-Free)
Award Amount
$1,000 - $5,000
Southern Smoke Emergency Relief Fund
Award Amount
$30,000 - $100,000
Cartier Women's Initiative (2027 Cycle)
Award Amount
$10,000 - $50,000
EmpowHer Grant
Award Amount
$7,500 - $7,500
Halstead Grant for Jewelry Designers
Award Amount
$15,000 - $15,000
Girlboss Foundation Grant
Award Amount
$5,000 - $5,000
Red Backpack Fund (Spanx Foundation)
Award Amount
$5,000 - $5,000
Tory Burch Foundation Fellows
Award Amount
$10,000 - $10,000
NAWBO / Mastercard Small Business Grants
Award Amount
$2,000 - $5,000
Second Service Foundation Veteran Awards
Award Amount
$10,000 - $25,000
Hiring Our Heroes Small Business Grant
Award Amount
$5,000 - $50,000
PenFed Foundation Veteran Entrepreneur Program
Award Amount
$25,000 - $25,000
NAACP Powershift Entrepreneur Grant
Award Amount
$25,000 - $25,000
NAACP x L'Oreal Beauty Industry Grants
Award Amount
$10,000 - $20,000
Fearless Strivers Grant (Fearless Fund + Mastercard)
Award Amount
$1,500 - $5,000
First Nations Acorn Fund
Award Amount
$10,000 - $40,000
First Nations Native Food Sovereignty Grant
Award Amount
$10,000 - $50,000
NBMBAA Scale-Up Pitch Challenge
Award Amount
$5,000 - $10,000
SoGal Foundation Black Founder Grant
Award Amount
$5,000 - $5,000
DigitalUndivided Breakthrough Program
Award Amount
$5,000 - $10,000
NDI Small Business Hub (Disability Entrepreneurs)
Award Amount
$5,000 - $25,000
NAACP x BACARDI Backing the B.A.R.
Award Amount
$25,000 - $25,000
NAACP Power Forward Small Business Grant
Award Amount
$5,000 - $15,000
USHCC / Wells Fargo Hispanic Business Grants
Frequently Asked Questions
What grants does New Jersey offer small businesses?▼
NJEDA offers Small Business Improvement Grants, Lease Grants, the Evergreen Fund for tech companies, Edison Innovation Fund grants for life sciences and tech, tax credits through Aspire and Emerge, and federal SBIR/STTR programs.
Grants by Group in New Jersey
Grants by Industry in New Jersey
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