Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who is eligible for MIE Grant Program funds?
A: Marinas that provide dockage for five or more vessels that have taken the New Jersey Clean Marina pledge and are actively working towards Clean Marina designation or are currently a New Jersey Clean Marina.

Q: What kind of projects will the MIE Grant Program fund?
A: BMPs outlined in the Clean Marina Guidebook, installation of vessel wash wastewater systems, and adopting stormwater control measures. In addition, the program is looking for new and innovative projects that prevent pollution associated with marina activities.

Q: What types of project expenses are NOT eligible?

General operating funds, salaries, transportation, meals, lodging.
Projects conducted and expenses incurred prior to approval.
Funds are available for project-specific expenses only and cannot be used for general operating, administrative or
over – head expenses.

Q: Are there limits on funds?
A: You may request any amount up to $4,000 for BMPs and up to $10,000 for vessel wash wastewater systems. We find that proposals that do not request the full amount tend to be more successful.

Q: If I apply, do I automatically receive a grant?
A: No. Funding is limited and highly competitive.

Q: If my grant proposal is accepted, will I receive all the funds I asked for?
A: Not necessarily. Although you are free to request the maximum available under the grant, in order to increase the number of grants funded each year, the Grant Committee may choose to fund only a portion of your grant or specific items listed in your budget.

Q: Are there any expenses that are NOT eligible under the grant guidelines?
A: Requests for general operating funds, salaries, transportation, meals, lodging and projects conducted prior to approval will not be funded.

Q: What’s the timetable?
A: Applications can be submitted at any time, but review and approvals will be made on or around March 31, 2010, June 30, 2010, September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2010 as long as funds remain.

Q: Who is the Grant Administrator and do they decide whether or not I get funding?
A: The Grant Administrator is Cindi Valkos at the NJMSG/NJSG. The Grant Administrator oversees the grants themselves, but does not decide who will be funded. The Grant Administrator is there to answer questions from applicants and will handle your application when you apply. The Grant Administrator is also the person you will work with if you do receive funding for a grant.

Q: Who decides which projects get funded?
A: Grant applications are carefully reviewed by a committee of approximately 5 people made up of representatives from NJMSC/NJSG, New Jersey Department of Transportation Office of Maritime Resources, Marine Trades Association of New Jersey, Rutgers University and the New Jersey Clean Marina Program.

Q: We’ve submitted our grant application, what happens next?
A: About 2 weeks after the review date, you will receive notification of whether or not your project has been accepted for funding. In an effort to make the grant process as paperless as possible, you may receive notification by e-mail.

Q: We were accepted! Now what?
A: Congratulations! If your grant application is successful, you will be sent a contract, which you must sign and return. Throughout the project year, the following will be expected from you:

You must stay in close communication with the Grant Administrator.
You must provide at least three photos documenting the grant project.
At the end of the project year, you will provide a final report, copies of your products (if applicable), and an expense sheet detailing your purchases. Remember to save all receipts. Any surplus funds must be returned to the NJMSC/NJSG unless you receive prior approval to spend the funds on something other than what was listed in your budget.

Q: We were not accepted. What did we do wrong?
A: Because these grants are competitive and funding is limited, only a portion of those who apply will receive funding. If you would like more input on why your proposal was not funded, you may e-mail or call the Grant Administrator.

Q: Are matching funds required?
A: Matching funds are required. The grant recipient is required to provide a minimum of 10% of the total project cost. A hard match is is an actual monetary contribution you must make towards the project.

Q: What are matching funds? What about in-kind donations?
A: Matching funds are actual money your organization must put into your project. An in-kind donation are goods or services that your organization will add to the grant, like staff time, printing, equipment use, etc.

Q: I would like to request funds for BMPs and a Vessel Wash Wastewater System. Do I need to submit two applications.
A: You do not have to submit separate applications, but you must provided a detailed description for both items with the associated costs clearly identified on the budget sheet.

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