Requires New Jersey Commission on Science, Innovation, and Technology to establish matching grant program for public research universities that receive certain federal research grants; appropriates $5 million.

2024-2025 Regular Session Introduced by Patrick Diegnan and 1 co-sponsor

NJ would create a state matching grant program (with $5M) to boost federally funded public university research aligned with NJ economic priorities.

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Higher Education Committee

#sciandtech

NJ S 4110 — Summary

A bill to create a state matching grant program for public research universities that receive certain federal research awards, with a $5 million appropriation to support the program.

Purpose and intent

Establish a matching grant program administered by the New Jersey Commission on Science, Innovation, and Technology (CSIT).

Provide public research universities with state funds that can serve as a match or increase competitiveness for eligible federally funded research projects.

Align university research with New Jersey’s priority industries and economic development goals.

Key provisions

Section 1: Matching grant program

CSIT must establish a program to provide matching funds to public research universities that receive federal research grants meeting CSIT criteria.
Grants must support federal projects that align with CSIT-determined priority industries and have a direct or potential link to New Jersey’s economic development.
Eligibility and application: Public research universities may apply for matching funds under guidelines and procedures set by CSIT. The federal grant proposal must require a financial match or the proposal should have higher consideration if a match exists.
Application evaluation criteria (illustrative): 1) Likelihood of direct/potential economic development impact in New Jersey. 2) Alignment with CSIT priority industries (as announced in the funding notice). 3) Potential to enhance state research and innovation capacity, including student involvement. 4) Equitable distribution of funding among public research universities.
Funding decisions: CSIT selects which proposals receive matching grants. Funds may be used as a match for federal grants that require a match or to give higher consideration to proposals with a match.

Section 2: Annual reporting

CSIT must annually report to the Governor and Legislature, detailing recipients and evaluating the program’s effectiveness in promoting economic development.

Section 3: Appropriation

$5,000,000 is appropriated from the General Fund to CSIT to implement the act.

Section 4: Effective date

The act takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Definitions

“Public research university” refers to institutions defined under N.J. law (specifically C.18A:3B-3 as per P.L.1994, c.48).

Legislative context and status

Introduced: February 3, 2025

Status: Introduced in the Senate and referred to the Senate Higher Education Committee; subsequently moved through committee steps (committed to Rules, advanced to third reading in related actions).

Primary sponsor: Leroy Comrie

Related bills from prior sessions: S 8933, S 4180, S 2589

Potential impact

For public research universities: Opportunities to leverage federal funding with state matching support, potentially increasing research activity, industry collaborations, and student involvement.

For New Jersey: Enhanced alignment of university research with state economic priorities; improved visibility of outcomes through annual CSIT reporting; new avenue to bolster economic development through science and technology initiatives.

Fiscal note: $5 million appropriation supports program continuity but depends on annual state budgeting.

This summary captures the bill’s core purpose, structure, and potential effects on public universities, state policy, and economic development.