Catalyst R&D Voucher Program

Catalyst R&D Voucher Program is sponsored by New Jersey Commission on Science, Innovation, and Technology (CSIT). This program improves awareness, access to, and utilization of equipment, facilities, and makerspaces at New Jersey's universities and federal laboratories, and subsidizes access to R&D equipment, facilities, and makerspaces for small New Jersey-based companies developing innova…

» Catalyst Research and Development (R&D) Voucher Pilot Program (Round 2) CATALYST RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT (R&D) VOUCHER PILOT PROGRAM (ROUND 2) The Catalyst R&D Voucher Program (Round 2) is a pilot program with of total funding.

Eligible applicants can apply for vouchers of up to $40,000 to help offset the cost of leveraging R&D resources, facilities, and equipment at the state’s academic universities and colleges, federal and non-profit laboratories to advance their technology development.

The objectives of the Catalyst R&D Voucher Program (Round 2) are to: Improve awareness, access to and utilization of New Jersey’s world-leading equipment, facilities and makerspaces Subsidize access to research and development equipment, facilities and makerspaces for small NJ-based companies that are developing innovative technologies The goal of the Catalyst Research and Development (R&D) Voucher Pilot Program is to support New Jersey-based early-stage company efforts to accelerate development and innovation of technologies to transform new discoveries from research stage into commercially viable technologies, leading to industry and investor interest.

The objectives of the program are to: improve awareness, access to and utilization of New Jersey’s world-leading equipment, facilities, and makerspaces; and subsidize access to research and development equipment, facilities and makerspaces for small NJ-based companies that are developing innovative technologies.

Each eligible applicant can apply for multiple vouchers up to a cap of $40,000 in the aggregate over any twelve (12)-month period. Each approved voucher will be valid for a period of twelve (12) months (starting from date of the execution of the voucher agreement). Any unused approved voucher amounts will be cancelled after the twelve (12) month period and returned to the program budget for future use.

At CSIT’s sole discretion, a voucher reservation may be extended for one three-month period if requested in writing prior to expiration.

Eligible Applicants can receive Vouchers to defray the costs associated with any of the following services or activities in a participating University Facility or Government labs: Use of Facility equipment and technicians for testing and development Training in preparation for independent use of the Facility equipment The program is intended for early-stage NJ based companies developing or testing technologies transform new discoveries from research stage into commercially viable technologies, leading to industry and investor interest in the following target areas: Advanced Transportation and Logistics Life Sciences – Therapeutic Drug Development Non-Retail Food and Beverage Professional and Financial Services Each applicant to the Catalyst R&D Voucher Pilot Program must meet the following eligibility criteria: Be authorized and in good standing to conduct business in NJ as evidenced by a current NJ tax clearance certificate listing CSIT.

All certificates listing another state agency will be rejected. Have no more than fifty (50) full-time equivalent (“FTE”) workers (FTE calculated on a 35-hour work week) at time of application. Have a minimum of one (1) full time worker (calculated on a 35-hour work week).

A worker may be the founder and may be paid or unpaid. 50% or more of the cumulative hours worked by all workers, founders, and contractors must be conducted in NJ (calculated on an FTE (Full Time Equivalent) basis – 35 hrs. per week).

Have less than or equal to five million dollars ($5,000,000) in prior calendar year sales revenue (excluding grant revenue). Have received less than three (3) total vouchers over the life of the company across all rounds of the Catalyst R&D Voucher Pilot Program (Rounds 1 and 2) and the Clean Tech R&D Voucher Pilot Program (Rounds 1 through 3).

Applicant company must be developing or testing technologies in the following target areas: Advanced Manufacturing, Advanced Transportation and Logistics, Film and Digital Media Life Sciences – Therapeutic Drug Development Non-Retail Food and Beverage Professional and Financial Services Participating facilities must meet the following criteria: They must be in a 2-year or 4-year college or university located in NJ (public, state, or non-profit), or a federal or non-profit organization located in New Jersey.

They must allow outside businesses to utilize research and development facilities on fee-for-service basis. They must provide a contact person to facilitate requests and participate in Catalyst Voucher Committee meetings. The Program will be implemented by CSIT, and technical support will be provided at participating University Facilities and Government labs.

The application for this program is currently open. You can access the application on the right side of this page titled “ APPLY HERE “ . Each eligible applicant can apply for multiple vouchers up to a cap of $40,000 in the aggregate over any twelve (12)-month period.

Each approved voucher will be valid for a period of twelve (12) months (starting from date of the execution of the voucher agreement). Any unused approved voucher amounts will be cancelled after the twelve (12) month period and returned to the program budget for future use.

CATALYST R&D VOUCHER ASSET MAP Click on our Catalyst R&D Voucher Asset Map to find information on core facilities, equipment and makerspaces available in New Jersey’s world-class Universities and Federal labs to support clean tech/clean energy research and development.

Apply Here sample application notice of funding availability 2025 InformationAl Webinar Slides 2025 Informational webinar Directions for requesting tax clearance certificate For more information or to ask a specific question please send an email to csitvoucher@njcsit. gov and a team member will reach out to you.