New Jersey State Navigator Grant

The New Jersey State Navigator Grant is administered by the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance to support the operation of the state’s health insurance marketplace, GetCoveredNJ. This program originates from federal requirements under the Affordable Care Act, which mandates that each state maintain a Navigator program to assist consumers with accessing health coverage. New Jersey transitioned from a federally facilitated exchange to its own state-based marketplace, and this grant program serves as the sole funding mechanism for Navigator services supporting the 2027 coverage year. The primary purpose of the grant is to fund organizations that can conduct outreach, education, and enrollment assistance for individuals seeking health insurance through the marketplace. Navigators are expected to help uninsured and underinsured residents understand their coverage options, determine eligibility for financial assistance programs, and complete enrollment into Qualified Health Plans or public programs such as NJ FamilyCare. The program emphasizes reaching underserved populations, including those with language or cultural barriers, and individuals transitioning from other coverage programs. Funding for this opportunity totals five million dollars for a one year performance period running from September 1, 2026 through August 31, 2027. Grant funds are intended to support staffing, outreach activities, education campaigns, and operational costs associated with providing Navigator services. However, restrictions apply, including a cap on marketing expenses of ten thousand dollars limited to social media, and prohibitions on using funds for gifts or promotional incentives. Reimbursement is performance based, meaning grantees must submit monthly reports and demonstrate progress toward agreed upon deliverables to receive payment. Eligibility is limited to organizations capable of fulfilling Navigator responsibilities and meeting federal and state regulatory requirements. Applicants must demonstrate experience working with communities, particularly uninsured populations, and must maintain certified staff trained through the GetCoveredNJ program. Organizations must be based in New Jersey and provide both in person and virtual assistance. Certain entities are explicitly ineligible, including health insurance issuers or organizations with conflicts of interest related to insurance enrollment activities. The application process requires submission of a complete package via email, including an applicant information form, cover letter, project abstract, detailed project narrative, workplan, timeline, and budget narrative, along with required certifications and attachments. Applications are evaluated based on factors such as geographic coverage, community relationships, organizational capacity, and ability to meet program goals. The Department may request budget adjustments prior to final award decisions, and all submissions must adhere to strict formatting and completeness requirements to be considered. The timeline for the grant includes a release date of July 9, 2026, a deadline for applicant questions on July 15, 2026, and a final submission deadline of July 31, 2026. Awards are anticipated during the week of August 24, 2026. Selected organizations must complete certification by September 30, 2026 and begin outreach activities by October 1, 2026, ahead of the open enrollment period starting November 1, 2026. Navigators are required to provide continuous support through open enrollment and year round for special enrollment needs. Evaluation criteria focus on an applicant’s ability to reach target populations, maintain compliance with reporting and operational requirements, and deliver measurable outcomes such as enrollment numbers and outreach activities. Grantees must submit monthly reports detailing enrollments, outreach events, and expenditures, and failure to meet reporting or performance benchmarks may result in withheld reimbursements. The program does not guarantee funding to all qualified applicants, and award decisions are final with no appeal process.

Emphasize strong community relationships, clear outreach strategy, multilingual capacity, and measurable enrollment goals aligned with state priorities