New Jersey Inclusion Project

The New Jersey Inclusion Project is a statewide initiative administered by the New Jersey Department of Education through its Office of Special Education. It is funded under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and is designed to advance inclusive education practices across the state. The program reflects the department’s broader mission to ensure equitable access to high quality education for all students, particularly those with disabilities between the ages of five and twenty one. By investing in systemic change and professional capacity building, the initiative seeks to improve long term educational and post school outcomes for this population. The primary purpose of the program is to provide comprehensive, no cost technical assistance, professional learning opportunities, and leadership development resources to schools and educational stakeholders. The initiative emphasizes embedding inclusive practices into school culture and systems rather than implementing short term or isolated interventions. Through research based strategies, the program supports educators, administrators, related service providers, and families in building sustainable models that promote access to the least restrictive environment and equitable participation in general education settings. Funding for this opportunity supports a single statewide award to an eligible organization that will implement a wide ranging scope of services. These include professional development conferences, communities of practice, role specific academies, and embedded coaching within schools. The grantee is expected to provide monthly in person support, facilitate model school site visits, and develop tools and resources that can be shared across districts. Allowable uses of funds include staffing, professional services, training, curriculum materials, and evaluation activities that directly support the project’s objectives. Funds may not be used for routine administrative costs, unrelated expenses, or activities outside the grant term. Eligible applicants include New Jersey Local Education Agencies and community based nonprofit organizations. Applicants must demonstrate significant experience in leading statewide or district wide inclusive education initiatives, including prior success working with diverse school systems and stakeholders. The program requires evidence of capacity to deliver multi year systemic change, including expertise in instructional practices, social emotional supports, data analysis, and implementation science. Additional expectations include demonstrated relationships with numerous school districts, the ability to provide tailored support, and the infrastructure to manage large scale professional learning and evaluation efforts. The application process is conducted through the New Jersey Department of Education’s Electronic Web Enabled Grant system. Applicants must complete all required administrative, narrative, and budget components within the system and submit the application by the specified deadline. Required narrative sections include a project abstract, statement of need, detailed project description, goals and objectives, activity plan, and organizational capacity. Applications are evaluated through a two tiered review process that includes scoring by a panel of evaluators followed by program office review. Scoring is based on criteria such as alignment with program goals, quality of design, feasibility, and completeness. The application deadline is July 7, 2026, with submission required by four pm Eastern Time. The program operates on a three year timeline, with the first year running from July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027, and continuation dependent on performance and funding availability. Reporting requirements include regular interim and final reports documenting activities, outcomes, and expenditures. The initiative is competitive and anticipates a single award totaling up to one million one hundred thousand dollars for the first year. The program is expected to recur annually as part of a multi year funding cycle aligned with federal education funding streams.

Ensure complete and accurate submission in EWEG; align project design with statewide inclusive education goals; provide measurable outcomes and strong data driven justification; submit before deadline to avoid system delays