{"id":2735,"date":"2025-01-09T15:47:12","date_gmt":"2025-01-09T20:47:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/grantandloanprograms\/?page_id=2735"},"modified":"2026-02-18T13:33:00","modified_gmt":"2026-02-18T18:33:00","slug":"youth-inclusion-initiative","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/grantandloanprograms\/youth-inclusion-initiative\/","title":{"rendered":"Youth Inclusion Initiative"},"content":{"rendered":"

[vc_row][vc_column width=”2\/3″][vc_column_text css=””]PURPOSE OF FUNDING<\/strong>
\nTo empower youth from overburdened communities in New Jersey by providing hands on experience and exposure to skills necessary for a career in environmental protection.<\/p>\n

APPLICATION
\n<\/strong>System for Managing Grants Electronically (SAGE)<\/a><\/p>\n

APPLICATION DEADLINE<\/strong>
\nMarch 12, 2026<\/p>\n

NOTIFICATION DATE<\/strong>
\nSpring 2026<\/p>\n

SOURCE OF FUNDING<\/strong>
\nNew Jersey Department of Environmental Protection<\/p>\n

STATUTORY CITATION<\/strong>
\nN\/A<\/p>\n

WHO IS ELIGIBLE<\/strong>
\nOrganizations best suited for the grant opportunity include, local environmental groups, colleges and universities, neighborhood and community advocacy groups, and church and social organizations.\u00a0<\/span>It is required the Community Host Organization(CHO) location and Youth Participation outreach areas target one of New Jersey\u2019s overburdened communities that meets at least two of the three overburdened community criteria: 1) percentage low income, 2) minority and 3) limited English proficiency. In addition, the location must be an Urban Aid Municipality. Please see Attachment 1<\/a> for a listing of qualified municipalities.<\/p>\n

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR CONSIDERATION<\/strong>
\nThe CHO should include information relevant to their qualifications and ability to perform the work required under this Grant. Any experience administering similar programs should be highlighted. The CHO should have experience in providing job training, academic enrichment, and\/or workforce development initiatives. The CHOs should describe in detail the community project they plan on completing with the youth. The cohorts can be tailored to youth at any educational level from high school to college students.<\/span><\/p>\n

GRANT\/LOAN LIMITATIONS<\/strong>
\nUp to $100,000 is available for each organization to partner with DEP to recruit, supervise and guide participants, aged 16 to 20, seeking to gain hands-on training in a variety of environmental careers during the six-week summer program. Up to $5,000 will be allotted for each project on specific community project days.<\/p>\n

APPLICATION PROCEDURES<\/strong>
\nYouth Inclusion Initiative applications are accepted via NJ Department of Environmental Protection, System for Administering Grants Electronically (NJDEP SAGE).<\/p>\n

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION\u00a0<\/strong>
\nApplication Q&A: The written questions period has closed, and all questions received by the deadline of February 5, 2026, are answered in this document<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Application Webinar: The DEP held an informational webinar on February 12, 2026, at 3 p.m.\u00a0You can download the presentation from the webinar by clicking\u00a0here<\/a>, and view the webinar recording by clicking\u00a0here<\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Youth Inclusion Initiative (YII) Grant Application 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

NJDEP| Youth Inclusion Initiative | Home<\/a><\/p>\n

FOR MORE INFORMATION\u00a0<\/strong>
\nYouthInclusion@deptest.nj.gov<\/a>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/3″][vc_single_image image=”3069″ img_size=”662×441″ css=””][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1742218316454{border-top-width: 1px !important;border-right-width: 1px !important;border-bottom-width: 1px !important;border-left-width: 1px !important;padding-top: 5px !important;padding-right: 10px !important;padding-bottom: 5px !important;padding-left: 10px !important;border-left-style: solid !important;border-right-style: solid !important;border-top-style: solid !important;border-bottom-style: solid !important;border-color: #999999 !important;}”]Fact Sheet:\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n