Best Physics Grants in New Jersey

The Achelis and Bodman Foundation, established in 2015, focuses on grantmaking in New York City and northern New Jersey, addressing critical issues in six program areas: Arts and Culture, Education, Employment, Health, Public Policy, and Youth and Families. Emphasizing support for nonprofit organizations that are tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3), the Foundation aims to improve local communities through impactful grants while prioritizing accountability and excellence in various sectors.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations in New Jersey working with youth in creative arts, education, health, or recreation can seek project, program, or general operating support that improves children’s lives. Focused on youth development and well-being, Pincus Family Foundation invites eligible groups to begin with an online eligibility quiz before submitting a letter of inquiry.

With a mission to improve geriatric quality of life, Wallerstein Foundation for Geriatric Life Improvement provides U.S. 501(c)(3) organizations with project-based funding for senior health, wellness, and engagement programs. New Jersey nonprofits working on dementia, stroke, adult daycare, home health, nutrition, or mobility for older adults may be eligible.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations supporting community development, education, health, human services, cultural programs, or veterans’ services in New Jersey counties where Penn National Gaming operates may be eligible for funding. Grants from Penn National Gaming help New Jersey organizations, including those with physics-related education or research components, strengthen local communities and residents’ well-being.

Public entities and 501(c)(3) organizations in New Jersey’s Camden County can apply for the Edna Kynett Memorial Foundation’s grants, awarding up to US $50,000 for cardiovascular community health, professional education, or research programs. Projects serving high-risk, underserved populations and emphasizing prevention, innovation, and measurable cardiac health outcomes may be especially competitive.

Established researchers with PhDs or MDs conducting advanced physics or related scientific research through a U.S.-based nonprofit or institution, including those in New Jersey, can seek support for novel projects. Grants from The Eppley Foundation for Research help fund innovative pure or applied science in chemistry, physics, biology, medical investigations, climate change, and ecosystem studies worldwide.

New Jersey 501(c)(3) nonprofits running innovative programs for children and adults who are physically, mentally, or economically disadvantaged can seek project funding from the Robert & Joan Dircks Foundation. Grants of US $1,000 - US $15,000 support problem-solving initiatives rather than general operations, which may benefit organizations whose work intersects with physics-related education or services.

Early-career faculty physicists at invited U.S. research universities, institutes, medical centers, or government labs can be nominated for the Blavatnik National Awards, providing US $250,000 in unrestricted support for innovative work in Physical Sciences & Engineering. New Jersey institutions on the invited list may nominate one physics researcher among their three candidates.

Pre-K–12 schools, colleges, and universities in New Jersey can apply for the Jacqueline E. Malaska Mini-Grant, awarding up to US $1,000 for health, physical education, recreation, or dance equipment and materials. NJAHPERD members developing or expanding student learning programs, including those connected to physics-related physical education initiatives, may be eligible.

New Jersey 501(c)(3) public health, education, and social service organizations can receive approximately US $5,000 to advance doctoral public health education, youth environmental projects, or services for disadvantaged youth. Ena Zucchi Tuw provides New Jersey nonprofits with annual support, and physics-related education programs for children may be eligible if they focus on improving the world environment.

Nonprofit organizations in New Jersey seeking funding for projects serving women, children, families, education, or community health may be eligible for the Impact100 South Jersey Core Mission Grant, offered via the Community Foundation of New Jersey. Grants support core-mission projects like capacity building, program development, service expansion, or capital improvements within Burlington, Camden, Cumberland, or Gloucester counties.

Nonprofits and community organizations in New Jersey can seek funding up to Up to US $90,418 to deliver gender-responsive, trauma-informed programs for girls and gender-expansive youth focused on healing, leadership, and emotional well-being. With a mission to support vulnerable youth, New Jersey Department of Law & Public Safety provides support that may benefit programs intersecting with physics-related education or enrichment activities.

State of New Jersey Department of Agriculture provides New Jersey agricultural businesses with funding to expand agritourism education, entertainment, events, and marketing campaigns. Farms, ranches, wineries, breweries, distilleries, and other agricultural entities can request up to US $100,000 for visitor-focused activities like tours, pick-your-own operations, corn mazes, hayrides, and similar experiences that may complement science or physics-related programming.

New Jersey Hispanic-serving community-based organizations running community service, health, youth, or senior programs can apply for grants up to US $60,000 in New Jersey. New Jersey Center for Hispanic Policy, Research and Development supports culturally competent services for children at risk, disease prevention, and seniors; physics-focused nonprofits may be eligible if their work advances these community priorities.

New Jersey nonprofits serving the Hispanic community with health and wellness, mental health, or family violence prevention services can receive up to US $75,000 in state support. The New Jersey Center for Hispanic Policy, Research and Development funds programs that stabilize family crises and build resilience; organizations with physics-related outreach to these populations may be eligible.

Faith-based and community organizations in New Jersey can seek funding to run civic engagement, food security, or senior service projects, with awards up to US $40,000. The New Jersey Department of State Office of Faith Based Initiatives supports programs such as community organizing workshops, immigration services, food assistance, and aging-in-place activities that strengthen local communities.

Salem Health and Wellness Foundation

The Salem Health and Wellness Foundation was founded in 2002 for the purpose of promoting the health and wellness of Salem County, New Jersey residents. The Foundation has made over $59 million in grants, contributions and scholarships to more than 60 organizations, all with the specific requirement that the funds address health problems in our county.

Grantmaking Overview

The Salem Health and Wellness Foundation is committed to supporting projects that enhance, improve, and transform the health, safety and well-being of the County’s residents. This is done primarily through the Foundation’s grantmaking process that is simultaneously attentive to community strengths and challenges. All grant opportunities are available through public notice through our website and/or announcements by the Foundation’s Executive Director.

The Foundation’s work is guided by its Mission and Values, as well as the Social Determinants of Health and Five Protective Factors. We believe that the “determinants” should be reframed as “drivers” of health, highlighting the Foundation’s desire to build on the strengths and strong traditions of community support from Salem County’s citizen volunteers, non-profit organizations, government offices, faith and business communities and health care providers. Our grantmaking is based on our belief in possibilities.

Salem Health and Wellness Foundation’s grantmaking is also driven by available data and community narratives. This information supports our priority setting and funding decisions. We strongly encourage all grant applicants to use the valuable combination of data, and the accompanying narratives, in shaping their proposals.

Public Health Grants

The Salem Health and Wellness Foundation supports system improvement and transformation projects under the category of Public Health grants. These grants are based on the Social Determinants of Health, taking into account the physical, psychological and social well-being and safety of Salem County residents. The projects tend to be larger in scope and nature and typically address the opportunities available to improve significantly the health, safety and well-being outcomes for the County. For the vast majority of grants, our team will approach an organization directly and invite them to submit a proposal. Infrequently, we may solicit applications for a targeted project through an open call for proposals. Public Health grant proposals must be approved by the foundation’s Board of Directors.

Categories for Public Health Grants include: Care Closet Grants; and Salem Public Health Fellowship

Salem Public Health Fellowship

Introduction

The Salem Health and Wellness Foundation (SHWF) is seeking proposals for an organizationbased, one-year Fellowship. The purpose of the Fellowship is to create systemic change and/or improvement in an area of public safety, health and well-being that impacts the lives of Salem County residents. More specifically, the desired goal of the Fellowship is to alter the trajectory and outcome measurements for a health or well-being issue that has, up to this point, remained stubbornly poor.

The Fellowship, in the amount of $50,000, will be awarded to an organization for a period of one year, with a possibility of a second-year renewal. The Foundation will also provide a 10% administrative cost for the host organization. The organization will be responsible for the recruitment, hiring, training, supervision, and support of the Fellow. In addition, the organization will take a lead role in managing the systems change/improvement project, while working in collaboration with other supportive partners.

The SHWF hopes to identify, and come alongside, a grantee who will plan, define, and implement a fresh, innovative strategy that builds on past practice, current data sources and community narratives and existing promising approaches from around the country. The strategy must have a plan for scaling and sustainability, as well as evaluation. Any health, safety or wellbeing issue will be considered for the Fellowship.

The Fellowship can address any public health, safety or wellness issue in Salem County. The applicants must have a presence in Salem County and must be providing services and/or supports to Salem County citizens. Additionally, the ideal candidate should have the organizational history and capacity to manage complex projects. The Foundation is seeking applicants who will propose a project that goes beyond an individual program and provides a path towards innovation and change for the purpose of improving outcomes in a way that can be sustained and brought to scale. The organization can add to or supplement the amount committed to the Fellowship. However, all the Foundation’s grant dollars must be spent on the Fellowship. There are also funds to support some of the organization’s administrative costs for the effort.

The UNICO Foundation offers the Louise Torraco Memorial Scholarship for Science, providing two scholarships worth $2,500 each to U.S. citizens pursuing degrees in physical or life sciences. Eligible candidates must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 and be enrolled full-time in accredited programs. This initiative reflects UNICO's commitment to supporting educational pursuits in scientific fields while fostering Italian American heritage and community service.

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.

Rural Health Transformation Program: Improving Chronic Disease Outcomes in Rural New Jersey

The Division of Health Promotion, through its Community Health and Wellness Unit (CHWU), announces the availability of funding awarded to the State under the Rural Health Transformation (RHT) Grant Program. This funding opportunity is designed to support innovative and sustainable strategies that improve chronic disease outcomes, increase access to quality healthcare services, address health disparities, and strengthen healthcare systems in rural communities.

The grant seeks to advance community-driven solutions that promote health equity, improve health outcomes, and enhance care coordination across rural health systems.

Purpose and Goals

The purpose of the Rural Health Transformation Grant is to support projects that transform rural healthcare delivery by addressing systemic challenges and community-identified needs. Grant goals include, but are not limited to:

• Improving access to healthcare services in rural and underserved areas
• Strengthening rural healthcare infrastructure and workforce capacity
• Enhancing care coordination and integration of services
• Addressing SDOH impacting rural populations
• Promoting preventive care, wellness, and chronic disease management

Proposed Grant Activities

• Activity 5.2a: NJ Rural Southern Physical Activity and Nutrition Program (NJ R-SPAN)
• Activity 5.2b: Umbrella Hub Organization
• Activity 5.3b: Enhancing Rural Cancer-Focused Healthcare (ERCH)
• Activity 5.3c: Rural Pharmacy Medication Management Therapy Program
• Activity 5.3d: Rural Health Screening and Education
• Activity 5.4b: Safe Communities: Youth Violence Prevention in Rural Communities

Activity 5.2a: NJ Rural Southern Physical Activity and Nutrition Program (NJ R-SPAN)

This program will support evidence-based physical activity, nutrition, and obesity prevention initiatives for rural communities by leveraging partnerships and resources from various sectors (e.g., agriculture, transportation, education, healthcare, parks/recreation, business, housing, and defense/military) to address health disparities related to poor nutrition, physical inactivity, and/or obesity in Atlantic, Cumberland, Salem, Cape May counties. This project aims to address the lack of access to care, nutritious food, and safe spaces for physical activity. Objectives include the following:

• Increased access to evidence-based arthritis management & physical activity;
• Increased access to nutritious foods;
• Increased access to preventive and clinical care;
• Increased access to health screenings; and
• Increased proportion of employers offering worksite wellness initiatives.

New Jersey rural health and community organizations improving chronic disease education and reimbursement can access funding through New jersey department of health, with awards up to US $200,000. Projects must serve designated rural areas and focus on diabetes, cardiovascular, or other chronic disease education, increasing participation, referrals, and access to covered services.

Focused on capital projects in education, libraries, and healthcare, the Gladys Brooks Foundation invites New Jersey 501(c)(3) institutions to seek major support. Eligible colleges, schools, libraries, hospitals, and clinics can request US $50,000 - US $150,000 for endowments, buildings, or equipment when outside funding is not available, which may benefit physics-related facilities or programs.

The Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers Program provides opportunities for New Jersey communities to enhance academic enrichment and support for students in grades three through twelve. This competitive grant program encourages organizations to offer a variety of services, including tutoring, youth development, and family engagement initiatives. Eligible entities include non-profits, schools, and local government agencies, aiming to address the needs of students in low-performing schools.

New Jersey 501(c)(3) organizations providing educational and human services programs for at-risk children and families can access funding through Conscious Kids; awards US $10,000 - US $20,000 for program support. Grants may benefit physics-focused or STEM-enrichment initiatives that serve homeless youth, foster youth, underserved communities, or children with physical or developmental disabilities.

Youth-serving nonprofits running year-round, sports-based development programs that blend athletics with academics can access funding in New Jersey and nearby New York counties through the New York Community Trust. Organizations in Newark and the New York metro area may receive US $20,000 - US $40,000 to build social, emotional, ethical, cognitive, and physical skills in youth up to age 18.

The Circuit Trails initiative aims to enhance the Greater Philadelphia area by adding 75 miles to the existing network by 2035. This expansion will promote outdoor access, improve health and well-being, and foster economic development through non-motorized transportation. With over 411 miles currently in place, the goal is to develop a comprehensive 850-mile network across communities in Pennsylvania and New Jersey by 2040, supported by a diverse coalition of organizations.

New Jersey 501(c)(3) nonprofits needing physical security upgrades can seek funding for target hardening equipment, including doors, windows, and CCTV, through the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness. With a mission to enhance domestic security, this program offers up to US $100,000 for organizations at high risk of terrorist attack.

Arts-focused 501(c)(3) organizations in New Jersey can seek funding for programs that use fine, visual, performing, or literary arts to advance community health education and prevention. With a mission to improve community health, Horizon Charitable Foundation provides up to US $25,000 for projects encouraging healthy behaviors, addressing obesity or behavioral health, and connecting residents to health services.