Bill Would Promote Innovation Through Grants

Senator Robert W. Singer 30th Legislative District

TRENTON – Legislation sponsored by Senator Robert Singer that would expand certain grant opportunities for individuals employed at state colleges and universities was approved by the New Jersey Senate.

“The Senate’s advancement of this legislation provides support for the technological and economical infrastructure of our state.

Lifting the prohibition on state grants for certain researchers would promote innovation and help integrate more advanced technologies into New Jersey industries,” said Singer (R-30th). “By fostering a broader approach, we can create more opportunities for researchers with licensed and owned technologies to accelerate scientific and economic advances throughout the state. This legislation would allow certain researchers employed at our public colleges and universities to obtain state grants issued by the Commission on Science, Innovation and Technology.”

The New Jersey Commission on Science, Innovation and Technology was established in 1985 with the purpose of supporting economic development in New Jersey through scientific and technological advances.

Under current law, employees and officers at state colleges and universities are banned from receiving state grants from the Commission on Science, Innovation and Technology. Instead, the commission supports entities formed at institutions of higher education that conduct research and development in emerging technologies deemed beneficial for the state’s economy.

Senator Singer’s bill, S-3402, amends New

Jersey’s conflict of interest law to permit researchers, their partners, companies, or firms in which they have ownership or control, to receive grant funding for various scientific and technological purposes. The provisions of this bill would go into effect immediately after enactment and be retroactively applied to July 1, 2018.

“Grant programs provide a significant source of capital that supports valuable initiatives led by scientists and researchers,” Singer added. “This bill removes unnecessary restrictions for state college and university employees who own licensed technologies to expand opportunities for technological advancement in New Jersey.