Official Site of The State of New Jersey
Management Enhancement Review Program (MERP)
ABOUT MERP
The Department of Community Affairs (DCA) is dedicated to helping local governments improve the quality of life in every one of the state’s 564 municipalities. Through a variety of programs, DCA’s Division of Local Government Services (DLGS) works with counties and municipalities to streamline government operations and reduce costs and property taxes.
The Management Enhancement Review Program (MERP) is a natural extension of this mission.
MERP provides grants to local government units to contract with management enhancement review consultants to conduct local government unit efficiency reviews and to make recommendations to streamline operations and reduce costs.
MERP facilitates the exploration of new technologies, organizational structures, and shared services opportunities. MERP is available to all municipal-based and county-government-based units.
DLGS is responsible for administering MERP. Eligible local government entities are invited to apply for grant funds under the program. All information needed to apply is contained in these guidelines and the application package.
FUNDING AVAILABLE
$1.5 million has been appropriated in the FY2026 budget for management enhancement reviews. Municipal-based government units may be awarded a maximum grant of $100,000, while county-based government units may be awarded a maximum grant of $150,000. MERP Grants are eligible for up to 75% of the total cost of a management enhancement review. A local government that receives a grant must contribute 25% of the project amount to the management enhancement review.
APPLICATION PROCESS
All MERP applications must be submitted through the SAGE grants management system: https://dcasage.intelligrants.com/Portal.asp. The MERP application deadline is May 1, 2026.
ASSISTANCE
Applicants may contact DLGS.MerpGrant@dca.nj.gov to discuss program and project needs up to submission of the application.