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Bill > A2066


NJ A2066

NJ A2066
Establishes "New Jersey STEM Scholars Grant Pilot Program" in Department of Education.


summary

Introduced
01/13/2026
In Committee
01/13/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead

Introduced Session

2026-2027 Regular Session

Bill Summary

This bill would establish the four-year "New Jersey STEM Scholars Grant Pilot Program," to provide grants to assist school districts, renaissance schools, and charter schools in enhancing STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education programs for students and to increase access to STEM education programs. Applications for grant awards under the pilot program would be submitted to the Commissioner of Education, who would allocate the awards on a competitive basis. The grant awards would be distributed so that school districts, renaissance schools, and charter schools can build upon existing STEM education programs or create new education programs along three distinct areas of concentration: project-based learning, afterschool STEM, and out-of-school STEM. This bill also establishes within the Department of Education a fund to be known as the "STEM Scholars Grant Fund," for the provision of grants to school districts, renaissance schools, and charter schools under the pilot program. The fund is to be annually credited with money appropriated by the Legislature and any moneys received by the State from corporate donors or other private sector support. No State funds may be used to support a grant under the pilot program unless there is an appropriation for the pilot program in the annual appropriations act for the respective fiscal year.

AI Summary

This bill establishes the four-year "New Jersey STEM Scholars Grant Pilot Program" within the Department of Education to boost science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education in schools. The program will provide grants to school districts, renaissance schools (schools receiving state aid to improve performance), and charter schools to enhance existing STEM programs or create new ones focused on project-based learning, afterschool STEM activities, and out-of-school STEM experiences. Applications for these grants will be submitted to the Commissioner of Education, who will award them competitively. A dedicated "STEM Scholars Grant Fund" will be created to hold money appropriated by the Legislature and donations from corporations or other private sources, with state funds only being used if specifically allocated in the annual budget.

Committee Categories

Business and Industry

Sponsors (15)

Last Action

Introduced, Referred to Assembly Science, Innovation and Technology Committee (on 01/13/2026)

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