Clean Tech R&D Voucher Program

Clean Tech R&D Voucher Program — Round 2

Funds New Jersey clean-technology companies through subsidized access to university and government laboratories.

Eligibility · United States · US-NJ

The Clean Tech R&D Voucher Program (Round 2) is a New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) initiative that provides qualifying clean-technology businesses with subsidized access to equipment and technical expertise at New Jersey universities and government laboratories. The program issues vouchers worth up to $25,000 that are redeemable for equipment time, laboratory access, and technician support at NJEDA-approved participating facilities — the award is in-kind research infrastructure access, not a cash payment. Round 2 opened for rolling applications on May 2, 2022, and has no publicly stated end date, though the program closes when funds are exhausted.

Eligible applicants are for-profit companies registered and operating in New Jersey with no more than 25 full-time employees company-wide. The company must be developing or testing clean technologies in qualifying sectors: energy, transportation, waste management, water, or agriculture. At least 50% of employee and contractor work must be performed in New Jersey, and 100% of the R&D project work covered by the voucher must occur in New Jersey at an approved facility. Notably, applicants must obtain a signed approval letter from a participating NJ university or government facility before submitting to NJEDA — the facility must agree to host the work first. Once the voucher is approved, the recipient has six months to complete the laboratory work.

The Clean Tech Voucher is best aligned with early-stage NJ clean-tech startups that need access to specialized testing or fabrication equipment they cannot afford to own outright. The pre-approval requirement from a participating facility means applicants should identify and engage a partner lab early in the process — before submitting to NJEDA. Companies should monitor program availability at NJEDA's website and apply well before the funding pool is depleted, as no announcement is made when rounds close.