New Jersey State Navigator Grant Program

The New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance, through its GetCoveredNJ division, has released the 2025-001 Request for Applications for the New Jersey State Navigator Grant Program. This grant supports organizations that provide free, unbiased assistance to consumers applying for and enrolling in health coverage through New Jersey’s State-Based Marketplace for the 2026 coverage year. Navigators are responsible for helping residents understand eligibility, compare plans, enroll in Qualified Health Plans, and access federal and state financial assistance programs. The program also includes year-round support for Marketplace Special Enrollment Periods and related health coverage programs such as NJ FamilyCare. GetCoveredNJ, established in 2019 as a State-Based Exchange and operational since 2021, serves hundreds of thousands of residents. The Navigator program aligns with federal requirements under the Affordable Care Act and state legislation. Key objectives include expanding outreach to underserved communities, ensuring culturally and linguistically appropriate services, assisting with new federal policy changes, and maintaining compliance with privacy and security standards for personally identifiable information. Navigators must also meet specific enrollment and outreach metrics and maintain regular hours of operation, including evenings and weekends during the Open Enrollment Period from November 1, 2025, to January 31, 2026. The total funding available for the program is $5 million, distributed to eligible organizations demonstrating community ties, the ability to reach high-uninsured-rate populations, and capacity to deliver services in multiple languages and cultural contexts. Funding is awarded for a one-year period starting October 1, 2025, and may be renewed for an additional year, contingent on performance and available funding. Marketing expenses are limited to $10,000 for approved social media campaigns. Award decisions consider geographic distribution, service to minority and multilingual populations, trust within communities, and capacity to meet program deliverables. Eligible applicants must be located in New Jersey, provide in-person and virtual assistance, have or quickly establish relationships with target populations, and employ certified Navigators with a GetCoveredNJ Assister Training 2026 Certificate of Completion. Ineligible entities include insurance issuers, their subsidiaries, industry lobbying associations, and any entity receiving consideration from an issuer for enrollment activities. Organizations must comply with federal and state regulations, including conflict-of-interest provisions and reporting requirements. Applications must include specific components: an Applicant Information form, Cover Letter, Project Abstract, Project Narrative, Work Plan and Timeline, Budget Template and Narrative, and required certifications. Proposals must be typed, submitted electronically to DOBI.grants@dobi.nj.gov by close of business on September 4, 2025, and will be confirmed via email. Questions about the RFA are due by August 8, 2025, with responses posted August 15, 2025. A department presentation for applicants will be held on August 11, 2025. Anticipated award notifications will be issued the week of September 15, 2025. Grant recipients must begin training and certification by October 1, 2025, with certification completed by October 24, 2025, and portal setup training by October 29, 2025. Monthly progress, outreach, snapshot, and reimbursement reports are required, along with an open enrollment summary report. Failure to meet deliverables or submit timely, complete reports may result in withheld reimbursement. All grantees must maintain detailed program records and cooperate with Department monitoring and evaluation activities throughout the grant term.