The New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development (NJDOL) has announced Sept. 29 the availability of $1.5 million in grant funding through the Innovation and Research Fellowship Program (IRFP), which supports technological and scientific research by encouraging Ph.D. graduates and doctoral candidates to continue research in collaboration with the state’s science and technology companies.
Grants will be awarded to qualified employers to fund research fellowships lasting up to two years, with funds primarily intended to support the fellow’s salary. To be eligible, the employer and the fellow candidate must submit a joint application.
“Through this vital program, we are not only investing in the brilliant minds of today but also securing New Jersey’s position as a leader in the scientific and technological advancements of tomorrow,” said Labor Commissioner Robert Asaro-Angelo. “We are proud to support collaborations that create opportunities for researchers to excel in their fields.”
The fellowship grant would provide a salary up to $85,000 in the first year. In the second year, the grant will provide a salary up to $95,000, and participating companies would be required to contribute at least $25,000 toward the fellow’s salary. The IRFP grant award does not restrict the yearly salary for a fellow and employers that are grantees can pay yearly salaries above the amount provided through the grant.
Additionally, employers may request funding for equipment purchases and conference attendance – with appropriate justification included in the application – although this amount cannot exceed 5% of the fellow’s total salary. All non-salary expenditures will be subject to NJDOL review and approval.
Applications must be submitted via email by 3 p.m., Oct. 28.
