New Jersey Emergency Medical Shock Trauma Air Rescue Grant Program

The New Jersey Emergency Medical Shock Trauma Air Rescue program is a state-administered funding opportunity issued through the New Jersey Department of Health, specifically under the Office of Emergency Medical Services. This program is designed to support the continued operation and management of the New Jersey Helicopter Response Program, commonly known as JEMSTAR. As a critical component of the state’s emergency medical infrastructure, the program ensures rapid response and advanced medical transport capabilities for residents and visitors across New Jersey. The funding reflects the state’s commitment to maintaining high-quality emergency medical services and supporting trauma care systems that require specialized aviation resources. The primary purpose of the grant is to fund the management, maintenance, and operational activities of the JEMSTAR program as both a clinical service and a communications center. The program must operate in alignment with New Jersey statutes governing emergency medical services, ensuring compliance with regulatory frameworks and service delivery expectations. Funds are intended to support helicopter-based emergency response operations, including dispatch coordination, patient transport, and integration with trauma centers. The scope of funding is narrowly focused on sustaining these critical services rather than expanding into unrelated programmatic areas. Eligibility for this funding opportunity is highly restricted and targeted toward specific state-affiliated entities already engaged in emergency medical response infrastructure. Applicants must be existing helicopter awardees in good financial standing and must also be affiliated with a regional trauma center as part of the New Jersey Mobile Intensive Care Program. Additionally, applicants must operate an existing communications center that meets financial compliance standards and functions as a New Jersey Mobile Intensive Care Dispatch Center. These requirements indicate that the grant is not open to new entrants but instead supports established providers with demonstrated operational capacity. The application process is structured and requires participation through the Department of Health’s System for Administering Grants Electronically. Interested applicants must first request the Request for Applications document from the listed contact, submit a Letter of Intent if required within that document, and then proceed through the electronic grant submission process. The program management officer will make the application available within the system to eligible entities, after which applicants must complete and submit the full application in accordance with the detailed requirements outlined in the RFA. This process ensures controlled access and compliance with procedural standards. The funding available under this program is estimated at six million dollars, with a defined award period beginning July 1, 2026 and ending June 30, 2027. This indicates a one-year performance period during which funded activities must be completed. The notice specifies that applications will be made available on July 27, 2026 and must be submitted by August 7, 2026, with notification of award decisions occurring on the same date as the submission deadline. This compressed timeline suggests a streamlined review process, likely due to the specialized and limited applicant pool. There is no indication of recurring funding cycles within the notice, nor is there mention of matching requirements or cost-sharing obligations. The program appears to function as a continuation or renewal funding mechanism for existing service providers rather than a competitive expansion grant. Contact information is provided for a program representative within the Office of Emergency Medical Services, including a phone number and email address, allowing applicants to request the RFA and obtain clarification. Overall, the grant is structured to ensure continuity of critical emergency medical aviation services within New Jersey through targeted, compliance-driven funding.