Official Site of The State of New Jersey

Proposals Due Date: August 8, 2025 at 12:00 PM

Question and Answer Period ends: July 25, 2025 at 12PM

Direct questions to: Caroline.Cunningham@sos.nj.gov

Intent and Purpose

The New Jersey Department of State (“NJDOS”) is seeking proposals to award a grant for $6,250,000 to develop and execute a business marketing and events initiative to highlight the benefits of doing business in the state of New Jersey and to encourage national and international business entities to relocate and expand in State, including through assisting in the recruitment of successful business leaders and entrepreneurs. The amount awarded will be used to pay for the business marketing initiative and the costs of developing, implementing, planning and marketing events within the State.

The NJDOS is seeking these proposals from qualified New Jersey non-profit 501c3 entities specializing in state or international based economic development marketing, with demonstrated prior experience in working with other governmental or public entities for the purposes of business marketing and with recruitment of business leaders and entrepreneurs for this purpose.

The selected entity will create, develop and implement a new business marketing and events initiative and messaging for the State of New Jersey. The initiative will be crafted to attract business to New Jersey by utilizing various types of media, as deemed appropriate, and by planning and implementing related events to highlight and market the State.

The entity should have proven prior extensive experience in marketing, collateral development, media placement and with the planning and implementation of events.
The entity should also have the ability to provide research through a comprehensive library of databases and reference material at their disposal, along with a large, experienced support team of employees with the adequate work experience to handle the types of research, contacts and knowledge to create and implement the awareness marketing plan and events needed to support it.

Goals of the Business Marketing and Events Initiative

• Spread awareness among businesses nationally and internationally of the State of New Jersey’s value which are its range of strategic assets, which include, strategic location, talented workforce, outstanding colleges and universities, global connection, infrastructure, and exceptional quality of life.
• Communicate the State’s overarching goal and ongoing efforts to foster long-term, resilient, inclusive economic growth in alignment with Governor Phil Murphy’s comprehensive economic plan for building a stronger and fairer economy in New Jersey
• Develop messaging and strategies for reaching specific sectors that are of long-term strategic priority to the State as determined by Governor Phil Murphy’s comprehensive economic plan for building a stronger and fairer economy in New Jersey.
• Build awareness among New Jerseyans and businesses of workforce development resources available through the State of New Jersey, including apprenticeships, internships, fellowships, on the job training, customized training programs.
• Help attract, retain, and strengthen New Jersey’s diverse workforce and incentivize businesses to consider, moving, hiring and growing in NJ.
• Develop, implement, plan and market events that showcase the State of New Jersey and all of its goals mentioned above.

Download full description and forms for Request for Funding a Business Marketing and Events Initiative Grant

Through the SBA, the New Jersey Business Action Center received funding for the NJ STEP to provide financial awards on a first come, first served competitive basis, to domestic New Jersey eligible small businesses that are new to export, as well as those businesses who currently sell their goods and services to other countries.

For NJ STEP consideration, your business must be:

• Registered in, and domestic to, New Jersey
• Small as defined by the SBA
• In business for at least one year as of the date of the application
• NJ tax compliant
• Manufacturing goods or producing services that contain at least 51% U.S. content
• Registered with NJ START and have a DUNS number

Eligible businesses for the New Jersey State Trade Expansion Program will be considered to receive financial awards to partially offset export promotion costs such as the following:

• Website and e-commerce fees to attract international buyers
• Design of international marketing media
• Participation in international trade missions
• Participation in international and U.S. trade events
• Participation in Department of Commerce organized trade missions
• Fees for services provided by the U.S. Commercial Service (USCS)

How to apply for a NJ STEP Grant