Resilient NJ Regional Resilience Planning Grant

The Resilient NJ Regional Resilience Planning Grant is administered by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection through its Office of Climate Resilience. The program is designed to support collaborative regional planning efforts that address the increasing impacts of climate change across New Jersey communities. These impacts include sea level rise, extreme temperatures, increased precipitation, flooding, and other climate related hazards that place strain on infrastructure, natural systems, and public health. The program is funded through federal sources, including the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and is part of a broader initiative to strengthen climate readiness across the state. The primary purpose of this funding opportunity is to enable groups of municipalities to work together to develop comprehensive regional resilience action plans. These plans are intended to identify shared vulnerabilities, assess risks, and prioritize actionable strategies to reduce climate related impacts. The program emphasizes regional collaboration, requiring participating municipalities to form Regional Teams consisting of at least three contiguous municipalities, one lead entity known as the Prime, and at least one community based organization. These teams are paired with multidisciplinary consultant teams procured by the state to guide the planning process and provide technical expertise. Funding for each selected Regional Team is expected to range between two hundred thousand and three hundred fifty thousand dollars, with at least one hundred fifty thousand dollars designated for community based organization participation. The funding supports planning related activities, including staff time, community engagement, data analysis, and development of resilience strategies. It may also support limited implementation activities that are planning focused, such as feasibility studies, conceptual designs, and preparation of additional grant applications. However, funds cannot be used for construction, final engineering designs, or activities requiring permitting or ground disturbance. Eligible applicants include local governmental entities within New Jersey that form qualifying Regional Teams. Municipalities, counties, and regional planning bodies may participate, provided they meet program requirements and demonstrate the capacity to collaborate effectively. Community based organizations must be nonprofit entities with the ability to engage and represent local populations, particularly socially vulnerable communities. Certain entities that have previously received similar regional funding may participate in planning activities but may not be eligible to receive additional funding. All participants are expected to commit to active involvement throughout the project period, which is anticipated to last between eighteen and twenty four months. The application process requires submission of multiple components, including application forms for each participating entity, letters of commitment, and a preliminary budget proposal. The Prime entity is responsible for submitting the full application and coordinating all materials. Applications must be submitted electronically, and incomplete submissions may be deemed ineligible. The evaluation process considers factors such as organizational capacity, demonstrated need for resilience planning, and the strength of the regional collaboration. Additional consideration is given to the inclusion of socially vulnerable communities and the potential for innovative and transformative solutions. The application timeline begins with the release of materials in April, followed by a question and answer period and a webinar for prospective applicants. The final application deadline has been extended to July 21, 2026. Selected regions are expected to be notified later in 2026, with project kickoff anticipated in late 2026 or early 2027. The planning process will culminate in finalized resilience action plans by the end of 2028, followed by an implementation phase extending into 2029. All program activities must be completed by June 30, 2029, establishing a clear multi year timeline for planning and early implementation efforts.

Strong applications demonstrate regional collaboration, clear climate risk need, and capacity to manage multi partner projects; inclusion of socially vulnerable communities is critical