New Jersey · Northeastern US
New Jersey cybersecurity grants for defense contractors
New Jersey pairs the Department of Defense's only tri-service base with the Army's center of excellence for guns and ammunition. If you hold or pursue DoD work, a CMMC gap assessment shows exactly where you stand, and the Cyber Grants Alliance grant can cover it.
CMMC Phase 2 status: under DoD review. DoD suspended the CMMC Phase 2 third-party certification requirement in July 2026 pending a program review. Phase 1 self-assessment against NIST SP 800-171 remains mandatory now, and self-certified compliance carries more liability with third-party verification on hold.
Why it matters here
Where does New Jersey's defense work come from?
New Jersey's defense economy spans the state, from a tri-service joint base in the south to the Army's armament research hub in the north, creating significant contracting opportunities, and CMMC obligations, for local businesses.
Burlington & Ocean Counties
Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst
The Department of Defense's only tri-service base, uniting Air Force, Army, and Navy operations across roughly 42,000 acres. A major East Coast power-projection platform for air transport and logistics.
Morris County
Picatinny Arsenal
The US Army's Joint Center of Excellence for Guns and Ammunition, leading research, development, and lifecycle management of advanced conventional weapons, ammunition, and fire-control systems.
Monmouth County
Naval Weapons Station Earle
A US Navy ammunition depot that stores and distributes ordnance and explosive materials to naval ships, generating logistics, engineering, and support contracts.
Your local partner
Who is New Jersey's CMMC and manufacturing partner?
The New Jersey Manufacturing Extension Program (NJMEP) is New Jersey's Manufacturing Extension Partnership center. A not-for-profit backed by NIST MEP, it helps small and mid-sized manufacturers become more efficient, profitable, and globally competitive.
Cybersecurity readiness
NJMEP offers cybersecurity and compliance services that help manufacturers identify the gaps relevant to NIST SP 800-171 and CMMC Level 2 requirements.
Manufacturing growth support
NJMEP works with New Jersey's manufacturing base on continuous improvement, workforce, and supply-chain support, and has been ranked the number one MEP center in the country.
More resources
What other cybersecurity support can New Jersey businesses use?
Beyond the grant, New Jersey businesses can tap additional support through state programs and federal resources.
NJCCIC
The New Jersey Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Cell is the state's one-stop shop for threat intelligence, advisories, and incident reporting, with membership and services offered at no cost.
CISA Region 2
Serves New Jersey through CISA's Region 2 field office in New York, providing no-cost cybersecurity advisories, assessments, and incident-response support.
NJMEP
New Jersey's NIST-backed Manufacturing Extension Partnership center, offering cybersecurity readiness and compliance services geared to manufacturers in the defense supply chain.
The grant
How much does a CMMC gap assessment cost in New Jersey?
Through the CMMC gap assessment grant, it is a $5,000 in-kind award, no cash changes hands. You receive the assessment itself, delivered by a certified partner. 100 grants are available.
Confirm you qualify
Open to U.S. defense contractors and manufacturers in the supply chain that hold or pursue DoD contracts and have not yet completed a CMMC assessment.
Get assessed against NIST 800-171
A certified partner reviews your current controls and produces a scored gap report showing what stands between you and CMMC Level 2.
Leave with a remediation plan
You receive a prioritized action list and the resources that can fund the fixes, so compliance becomes a budget line, not a guess.
Questions
Frequently asked questions — New Jersey CMMC grants
Who qualifies for the CMMC gap assessment grant in New Jersey?
The grant is open to U.S. defense contractors and manufacturers in the DoD supply chain that hold or are pursuing DoD contracts and have not yet completed a CMMC assessment. New Jersey businesses supporting Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, Picatinny Arsenal, or Naval Weapons Station Earle are typical candidates.
How much does a CMMC gap assessment cost in New Jersey?
Through the Cyber Grants Alliance program, the assessment is delivered as a $5,000 in-kind grant, no cash award. You receive the assessment itself from a certified partner. 100 grants are available.
What is New Jersey's MEP center?
The New Jersey Manufacturing Extension Program (NJMEP) is New Jersey's Manufacturing Extension Partnership center. A not-for-profit backed by NIST MEP, it provides cybersecurity readiness and manufacturing-improvement services that help manufacturers work toward NIST 800-171 and CMMC requirements.
Is CMMC Level 2 enforcement still happening on November 10, 2026?
No. DoD suspended the CMMC Phase 2 third-party (C3PAO) certification requirement on July 13, 2026, pending a program review, so there is no confirmed enforcement date at this time. Phase 1 self-assessment against all 110 NIST SP 800-171 controls remains mandatory now, and self-certified SPRS scores carry more liability while third-party verification is paused. A gap assessment is still the essential first step.
Do subcontractors in New Jersey need CMMC?
If your contract or a prime's contract involves Controlled Unclassified Information, CMMC requirements generally flow down to subcontractors that handle that information. A gap assessment is the fastest way to confirm what applies to you.
Ready when you are
Apply for your CMMC gap assessment grant
100 in-kind awards, $5,000 each. Confirm eligibility and submit in minutes.