CFDA#
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Funder Type
State Government
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IT Classification
A - Primarily intended to fund technology
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Authority
New Jersey Educational Facilities Authority (NJEFA)
Summary
The Higher Education Facilities Trust Fund (HEFT) Program provides grants to New Jersey's public and private institutions of higher education for the cost, or a portion of the cost, of the construction, reconstruction, development, extension, and improvement of instructional, laboratory, communication, and research facilities.
Projects will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
- The improvement and expansion of educational opportunities for students;
- The promotion of academic research excellence, workforce readiness, and the enhancement of the State's academic and economic competitiveness and prosperity by assisting in the production of a highly skilled workforce;
- Consistency with the institution's educational mission;
- Consistency with the institution's long-range facilities plan;
- The cost effectiveness of the Project;
- The degree to which the Project is construction ready;
- Demonstrated commitment over the past ten (10) years to appropriate maintenance of facilities previously funded by State of New Jersey grant programs;
- The degree to which the Project increases capacity for industry-valued credentialing programs and experiential learning opportunities;
- How the Project enriches existing materials and coursework that support current academic curricula; and
- Preference will be given to Projects that promote energy efficiency
History of Funding
Awards from FY25 can be viewed here: https://www.nj.gov/highereducation/documents/pdf/press-releases/Summer%202025%20Cycle-Total%20Awards%20from%20Approved%20Projects.pdf
Awards from FY23 can be viewed here: https://nj.gov/highereducation/documents/pdf/news/PR_Capital%20Funding%20Award%20071023.pdf
Additional Information
The following State Funding Criteria will be used by the Review Committee to evaluate and rank HEFT Projects for funding: Priority will be given to eligible projects that address deferred maintenance. Among these, highest priority will be assigned to deferred maintenance projects that are emergent and critical to complying with State and federal health, safety, fire, and building code standards. Next in priority are projects that are emergent and must be addressed within one to three years to ensure a safe and appropriate educational or working environment.
The HEFT program will be funded by money received from the issuance of bonds, an annual appropriation from the net proceeds of the State lottery established in an amount sufficient to pay the principal and interest on the bonds or notes, any money appropriated directly by the state for the purpose of this program, and all interest and investment earnings received on the money in the fund.
For the purposes of this program the statute defines "South Jersey multi-institutional economic development facilities" as facilities that would promote economic development in the eight southernmost counties of the State and which involve more than one public or private institution of higher education.
Eligibility Details
Public or private institutions of higher education that are eligible to receive State aid may apply for a HEFT Program grant.
A public institution of higher education” is defined as Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, the State colleges, the New Jersey Institute of Technology, Rowan University, Montclair State University, Kean University, the county colleges and any other public university or college now or hereafter established or authorized by law.” The State colleges” as referenced above are New Jersey City University, Ramapo College of New Jersey, Stockton University, The College of New Jersey, Thomas Edison State University, and William Paterson University.
”Private institutions of higher education” are defined as independent colleges or universities incorporated and located in New Jersey, which by virtue of law, character or license, are nonprofit educational institutions authorized to grant academic degrees and which provide a level of education which is equivalent to the education provided by the State's public institutions of higher education as attested by the receipt of and continuation of regional accreditation by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, and which are eligible to receive State aid.”
Deadline Details
The Application Submission Period for this Solicitation begins September 10, 2025 and will end September 22, 2025 at 4:00 p.m.
Funds for the grant will not be disbursed until the Secretary certifies approval of the grant, subject to the approval of the State Legislature, the New Jersey Educational Facilities Authority issues the necessary bonds, and requisite grant agreements have been executed by grantees.
Award Details
The total amount of grant funds available for new grants under the Summer 2025 Cycle is $140,000,000. This is a bond-funded grant program. Of this total amount, $40,000,000 will be available to award to New Jersey City University.
Each Institution may submit one application and may request funding in an aggregate amount of no more than $20,000,000 for all submitted projects across all of its campus locations. An Application may consist of one or more projects. If more than one project is submitted, please prepare separate budgets for each project or phase.
No institutional match or contribution to debt service is required for projects receiving grants pursuant to the HEFT grant program.
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