New Jersey Innovation Fellows Program
New Jersey Innovation Fellows Program supports entrepreneur teams with income-replacement grants and mentorship to develop new businesses and strengthen New Jersey’s innovation economy.
This grant was recently updated
The funder removed the announced 14-business-day Q&A period, previously scheduled for August 19, 2026, at 10:00 AM EDT through September 9, 2026, at 5:00 PM EDT.
Funder: New Jersey Economic Development Authority
Due Dates: December 4, 2026, at 5:00 PM ET (Cohort III application)
Funding Amounts: $200,000 base award per team, up to $400,000 with bonuses, over two years
Summary: Income-replacement grants and mentorship help entrepreneur teams develop new business ideas in New Jersey’s targeted industries.
Key Information: Existing or already registered startups are ineligible; teams need at least three entrepreneurs, half qualifying as first-time entrepreneurs.
Description
The New Jersey Innovation Fellows Program (NJIF), administered by the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA), supports teams pursuing unique startup ideas during a two-year ideation and formation period. Income-replacement funding allows founders to transition from paid work into full-time entrepreneurship while developing functioning business models and working businesses in eligible New Jersey municipalities.
The program aims to grow New Jersey’s entrepreneur base and innovation economy, support promising ventures, and address inequities between socioeconomic background and entrepreneurship. Fellows receive mentorship through the New Jersey Innovation Institute or Rowan Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship, combining virtual and in-person participation. Training covers finance, human resources, marketing, product development, capital sourcing, business models, and legal structures, alongside access to founders, advisers, office space, and investors.
