CSIT SBIR/STTR Direct Financial Assistance Program

CSIT SBIR/STTR Direct Financial Assistance — Phase 5

Funds New Jersey small businesses to match early-stage federal innovation awards and bridge development costs.

Eligibility · United States · US-NJ

The CSIT SBIR/STTR Direct Financial Assistance Program (Phase 5) is administered by the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) to provide state-level cash support to New Jersey-based small businesses that are actively pursuing or have received federal SBIR or STTR funding. Phase 5 operates on a rolling, first-come-first-served basis with a total pool of $875,000. Two distinct award tracks are available: Direct Funding of $25,000 for companies holding an active federal Phase I, Fast Track, or Direct-to-Phase-II SBIR/STTR award received within the past two years; and Bridge Funding of $50,000 for companies that have completed Phase I and submitted a Phase II application but are awaiting the federal funding decision. There is no competitive scoring — all complete applications meeting eligibility criteria receive awards until the pool is exhausted.

Eligibility requirements include being a for-profit small business with a principal place of business in New Jersey and at least one full-time New Jersey employee working 35 or more hours per week. At least 50% of cumulative employee and contractor work hours must be performed in New Jersey, and the primary federal SBIR/STTR project performance location must be a New Jersey address. Applicants must be in good standing with the New Jersey Department of Labor and the Department of Environmental Protection. An applicant may apply for only one funding track — Direct Funding or Bridge Funding — not both.

The program is well-suited to NJ-based deep-tech, life sciences, medtech, hardware, and cleantech startups that are already competing for federal SBIR/STTR dollars. Because the pool depletes on a first-come-first-served basis with no announced replenishment once exhausted, timing of submission is critical. Companies should apply as soon as their federal award or Phase II submission is confirmed and all NJ employment documentation is in order. Applications are submitted through NJEDA's online portal at application.njeda.com.