A component New Jersey's stem cell initiative is the support for stem cell research projects at universities, hospitals, institutions, and companies throughout the state. To this end in December 2005, New Jersey became the first state to finance research using human embryonic stem cells, including hESC lines prohibited from use in research by federal funding restrictions. Since 2005 the New Jersey Commission on Science and Technology has awarded  more than $15.2 million for 33 individual research grants and 2 core facilities grants and in Fiscal Year 2008 the Commission has over $10 million available to fund stem cell research projects.  The Commission also sponsors a yearly scientific symposium that brings together scientists, researchers, students, industry representatives, and government officials to allow for collaborating research and to provide a forum to update the public about the current science of stem cell research.

To continue supporting this research, the New Jersey legislature approved and Governor Corzine signed a $450 million bond referendum to support stem cell research. This funding would provide $45 million a year over a 10 year period for stem cell research grants to eligible institutions over a 10 year period.

In December 2006 Governor Corzine signed legislation authorizing a $270 million investment in stem cell research facilities around the state including:

• $150 million for the Stem Cell Institute of New Jersey in New Brunswick
  
• $50 million for the Newark Institute for Regenerative Medicine
  
• $50 million for the Integrative Biology and Genomic Medicine Institute in Camden
  
• $10 million for the Garden State Cancer Center
  
• $10 million for Community Blood Services