Best Bergen County Grants for Nonprofits in New Jersey

The DoW Bone Marrow Failure Idea Development Award supports innovative, high-impact research aimed at understanding and curing bone marrow failure diseases. This grant is available to both Established Investigators and Early-Career Investigators, with no preliminary data required for applications. Reviewers assess proposals based on specific criteria tailored to the investigator's career stage. The focus is on achieving interpretable results that contribute significantly to the field.

The DoW Bone Marrow Failure Investigator-Initiated Research Award supports innovative research aimed at advancing the understanding and treatment of bone marrow failure. This funding opportunity encourages applications for translational and clinical studies, requiring preliminary data to strengthen proposals. Unique features include the ability for a partnering Principal Investigator to contribute to the research, thereby fostering collaboration while maintaining a focus on significant advancements in patient care.

The DoW Rare Cancers Idea Development Award promotes innovative research ideas for rare cancers, encouraging applicants to provide preliminary data and exploratory aims. This funding opportunity, offered by the US DOD: U.S. Army Medical Command, seeks projects with the potential for high-impact findings that can significantly benefit the patient community. It aims to foster new avenues of investigation and support discovery-driven research in the field of rare cancers.

The 2026 Rare Cancers Research Program Resource and Community Development Award aims to enhance rare cancer research through improved resources and datasets. It addresses critical gaps in research resources, communication strategies, and data sharing infrastructures. Key features include engaging patient advocates throughout the research process and ensuring sustainability of community platforms. This funding opportunity emphasizes community building and the dissemination of findings to benefit scientific and patient communities alike.

The FY26 Joint Warfighter Medical Research Program's Military Medical Research and Development Award aims to fund the continuation of previous Department of War-funded research addressing high-priority medical needs for Service Members and Military Health System beneficiaries. It supports various projects, including late-stage preclinical studies and clinical research. Eligibility requires prior DOD funding, and a Clinical Research Option is available for studies involving human subjects or biological samples.

The FY26 Bone Marrow Failure Research Program's Resource Development Award aims to create a multiomic atlas from human bone marrow failure samples. This resource will be open-access, providing essential data for researchers and clinicians to enhance their understanding of bone marrow failure diseases. A comprehensive Data Resource Sharing Plan is required to ensure timely availability of the developed resource, fostering collaboration within the scientific community.

New Jersey Department of Health

The scope of work for the public health system is ever-expanding, and the Department is on the frontlines in leading the response to public health challenges. The Department has three primary branches – Public Health Services, Health Systems, and Integrated Health. All work collaboratively toward improving health by strengthening New Jersey’s health system.

Our Mission: Protect the public’s health, promote healthy communities, and continue to improve the quality of health care in New Jersey

Tobacco Age of Sale Enforcement TASE Program

Purpose for which the Grant Shall be Used 

The purpose of this grant award is to support enforcement of New Jersey’s Tobacco Age of Sale law, which prohibits the sale of any tobacco products to anyone under the age of 21, through routine compliance inspections of Tobacco Retail Establishments (TREs) by implementing the Tobacco Age of Sale Enforcement (TASE) program within select counties that face disproportionately high tobacco use burden.

The FY26 Parkinson’s Research Program Investigator-Initiated Research Award supports innovative, multidisciplinary research projects aimed at advancing the understanding and treatment of Parkinson’s disease. The award encourages collaboration among multiple principal investigators, requiring preliminary data and allowing clinical trials to enhance research outcomes. This initiative is vital for fostering impactful discoveries within the four specified focus areas of the program, ultimately improving patient care and management.

The FY 2027 DoN HBCU/MI Program aims to enhance the research capabilities of Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Minority Institutions. This initiative promotes innovative solutions to naval science challenges while engaging students and faculty in STEM fields. Key objectives include strengthening research infrastructure and fostering collaborative efforts across institutions. White papers are due by September 18, 2026, and should clearly outline the proposed advancements in naval-relevant science and technology.

The FY26 Parkinson’s Research Program (PRP) Early Investigator Research Award supports early-career researchers in Parkinson’s disease (PD) research. It offers two funding levels: Level 1 for fellows requiring a Mentor and Level 2 for independent investigators. The PI must show potential in PD research, with Level 1 emphasizing mentorship and Level 2 needing preliminary data. Research must align with one of the four FY26 PRP Focus Areas, excluding clinical trials.

The Fair Housing Initiatives Program (FHIP), established by Congress in 1988, aims to fund organizations to combat discriminatory housing practices. The Education and Outreach Initiative (EOI) educates stakeholders about their rights under fair housing laws. Key components include the National Media Campaign, which promotes fair housing awareness nationally, and local programs that support community-based outreach. HUD oversees the process, ensuring compliance and monitoring of funded initiatives to enhance fair housing practices.

About DEP

A national leader. A balanced approach. A commitment to be guided by science. That is the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.

For over 50 years, DEP has made New Jersey a stronger and fairer state by protecting our environment and public health. With hard work, exceptional knowledge and expertise, the DEP’s staff has made the agency an unfailing guardian of New Jersey’s precious natural and historic resources.

The DEP was established on April 22, 1970 – America’s first official Earth Day. Today, DEP employees in dozens of programs continue to advance innovative strategies to safeguard and enhance New Jersey’s air, water and land, and the health of its residents.

Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership Grants

ORLP funds the acquisition or development of new parks, or substantial renovation of parks, in low-income communities of at least 25,000 people. ORLP focuses on providing new or significantly improved nature-based parks in urban, disadvantaged communities lacking adequate access to walkable outdoor recreation (a.k.a. park deserts).

The program priorities described below are established by the Expanding Public Lands Outdoor Recreation Experiences (EXPLORE) Act (Public Law 118-234), which represents a historic bipartisan commitment to expanding outdoor recreation on public lands and waters for all Americans.

Anticipated Award Amounts:

ORLP is a dollar-for-dollar matching grant program, with a minimum award of $300,000 and maximum award of $15M. ORLP is a reimbursement program. Grant recipients must use their own resources to pay for all project costs.

Cost Share Requirements:

The required 50% grant match must come from eligible (typically non-federal) sources, such as Green Acres park development or acquisition grants, county and municipal open space funding, and philanthropic organizations, among others.

An award from the George and Viola Hoffman Fund may be made annually for student research toward a master’s thesis or doctoral dissertation on a geographical subject in Eastern Europe. Eastern Europe includes the countries of East Central and Southeast Europe from Poland south to Romania, Bulgaria, and the successor states of the former Yugoslavia. Topics may be historical or contemporary, systematic or regional, limited to a small area or comparative.

Susan G Komen Breast Cancer Foundation

The mission of Susan G. Komen® is to save lives by meeting the most critical needs in our communities and investing in breakthrough research to prevent and cure breast cancer.

Susan G. Komen Career Catalyst Research (CCR) Grants

Susan G. Komen Career Catalyst Research (CCR) Grants foster promising breast cancer researchers who are in the early stages of their faculty careers by providing support for up to three years of “protected time” for research career development under the guidance of a Mentor Committee. We seek to support those who will emerge as the next key leaders in the fight against breast cancer.

CCR Research Focus: Research projects must be hypothesis-driven, breast cancer-focused studies. They may be considered basic, translational, clinical and/or population science in nature and should align with Komen’s research priorities and mission to save lives from breast cancer. 

The Readiness and Recreation Initiative (RARI) by the National Park Service aims to enhance outdoor recreation and support compatible land uses near military installations. This program, funded through the Land and Water Conservation Fund, provides up to 50% of project costs, encouraging collaboration with the Department of War. Projects must involve land acquisition and align with national priorities to ensure public outdoor access in perpetuity, directly benefiting both military and civilian communities.

The Indian Housing Block Grant Competitive Program (IHBG-COMP) for FY 2026 offers competitive grants to eligible recipients under NAHASDA. This program aims to support affordable housing initiatives benefiting low-income Tribal families, enhancing their living conditions and community well-being. Funded by the US HUD's Office of Public and Indian Housing, the IHBG-COMP encourages the development of sustainable housing solutions within Native American communities.

Hogg Foundation for Mental Health

The Hogg Foundation for Mental Health was established in 1940 at The University of Texas at Austin by the children of Texas Governor James Hogg. For over a quarter of a century, the Hogg Foundation was guided by the passion and insight of the Governor’s daughter, Miss Ima Hogg, who actively promoted the foundation and encouraged its staff to pursue a bold, new vision. Today the Hogg Foundation is based at The University of Texas at Austin Steve Hicks School of Social Work and is funded through an endowment created by gifts from the Hogg family and managed by The University of Texas/Texas A&M Investment Management Company.

The Hogg Foundation is inspired by Ima Hogg’s vision for a Texas that supports and promotes mental health, resilience, and well-being. Miss Ima was ahead of her time in believing that mental health was just as important as physical health. She believed all people should have access to community-based resources to support mental well-being and live fulfilling lives, and she championed supports in everyday environments like schools, workplaces, places of worship, and homes.

Stephany June Bryan: Bold Spirit of Achievement Scholarship

The Hogg Foundation for Mental Health is offering ten $5,000 scholarships in honor of Stephany June Bryan to individuals facing personal and financial barriers to achieving their educational or career goals due to the impact of living with a mental health challenge and/or supporting a loved one with a mental health challenge.

You do not need to be enrolled in a program at the time you submit your application. However, you will need to provide enrollment verification and/or a certificate of completion when/if it is awarded.

About BlackRock

We’re a global asset manager and technology provider dedicated to helping more and more people experience financial well-being. We help millions of people invest to build savings that serve them throughout their lives. The BlackRock Foundation which funds and partners with organizations that strengthen financial security for more people,

BlackRock Future Builders

BlackRock Future Builders is a $100 million philanthropic initiative funded by The BlackRock Foundation to expand economic opportunity and power the next generation of America’s skilled trades workers. Through this Request for Proposals (RFP) process, The Foundation seeks to support U.S. nonprofit organizations (i.e., registered 501(c)3 organizations) delivering or supporting high‑quality skilled trades training.

This competitive grant opportunity operates in parallel to other BlackRock Future Builders partnerships and is intended to surface additional, regionally grounded solutions across the skilled trades ecosystem. Organizations may propose direct worker training programs or capacity‑building efforts that enable systems to function more effectively and at greater scale. This first round RFP will be administered by Jobs for the Future (JFF), a national nonprofit that transforms U.S. education and workforce systems.

Focus Areas and Solutions

Applicants may propose worker training or capacity‑building solutions aligned to skilled trades workforce development.

• Worker training interventions may include direct service proposals such as pre-apprenticeship or career navigation programs, workforce training programs, apprenticeship programs, or wraparound participant supports that are supportive of training persistence and completion.
• Capacity-building interventions are organizational and system-focused, rather than in direct service of participants, and may include, but are not limited to, proposals such as ecosystem-building, demonstration projects, technology or tool adoptions, or research, among others.

AΩA is committed to preparing future leaders in medicine and health care. Leadership is about making a positive difference and can be developed through education, observation, experience, and by working with leader mentors. Service learning provides excellent opportunities for students to develop as servant leaders. Only one team from each school may be nominated.

The National Centers for Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NCBIB) provide critical resources for biomedical imaging and bioengineering research. This funding opportunity supports the development of innovative technologies tailored to the needs of basic, translational, and clinical researchers. NCBIB facilitates technology access, training, and dissemination, enhancing collaboration and advancing the field. Applications are encouraged to foster advancements that address complex biomedical challenges.

The Integrated Viral Hepatitis Surveillance, Testing, Treatment, and Prevention Programs for Health Departments (IVH-STTP) aims to strengthen viral hepatitis surveillance and prevention efforts across the United States. By enhancing outbreak response capabilities and promoting testing and treatment in high-impact settings, this initiative seeks to improve public health outcomes. Key components include partnerships, strategic planning, and perinatal hepatitis C programs, ultimately striving for better access to prevention and treatment services, aligning with CDC priorities.

The Evelyn Manning Potter and Vivian Grove Strunk Memorial Scholarship, administered by the Community Foundation of Washington County, MD, supports students pursuing careers in the administrative professional field. Established in memory of two dedicated professionals, this scholarship aims to provide financial assistance to qualified individuals, promoting their educational and career aspirations. The foundation offers over 100 scholarships, reflecting its commitment to enhancing the community's quality of life and supporting local talent.

The Carol D. Garling Scholarship, established by Carol D. Garling, provides financial assistance to students pursuing a post-secondary education who have completed at least 30 credit hours at an accredited institution. Offered by the Community Foundation of Washington County, MD, this scholarship is part of a larger initiative to support local students and promote educational advancement within the community. Applications are accepted annually from January to April 1st, encouraging both high school graduates and non-traditional students.

The Bill Dorsey Memorial Scholarship Fund, established by the Community Foundation of Washington County, MD, offers scholarships to students at the Barbara Ingram School for the Arts (BISFA). Designed for rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors, this fund helps cover costs related to their arts discipline. Applications are available in the Fall, supporting the foundation's mission to enhance educational opportunities for local students and nurture their artistic talents.

The Hagerstown Garden Club Scholarship, administered by the Community Foundation of Washington County, supports Washington County residents pursuing education in horticulture. Eligible applicants include graduating high school seniors and current college students with a minimum GPA of 3.0. This scholarship honors the legacy of the Hagerstown Garden Club and is part of a broader initiative to enhance community life through educational opportunities, fostering both personal and professional growth in the horticultural field.

The WaterSMART Cooperative Watershed Management Program offers funding to eligible entities for developing local solutions to water management issues. This initiative supports watershed group development, restoration planning, and project design, promoting stakeholder cooperation and improving water reliability. It aligns with key priorities from the Trump administration, addressing complex water challenges and enhancing federal grant oversight. By facilitating these efforts, the program aims to stretch limited water resources and foster collaborative solutions among diverse stakeholders.

The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) is inviting applications for the Clinical Trial Cooperative Agreement Program. This funding opportunity supports investigator-initiated, interventional clinical trials at various phases. Initial funding will facilitate the preparation needed to start trials, with successful milestones leading to further support. NIAMS emphasizes hypothesis-driven trials that promise significant clinical impact within its research mission.