18A:64-100 Eligibility for grants; project goals.

7. a. To be eligible for a grant from the consortium, a grant proposal application shall include, but not be limited to:

(1) evidence of a collaboration between at least one member of the faculty or graduate student of a member university and at least one local community organization, media organization, or technology-based organization;

(2) information demonstrating that the collaboration would be a mutually respectful partnership wherein all community and member university participants invest in a project designed to serve the consortium's mission and the goals cited pursuant to subsection b. of this section; and

(3) proof that the member university or universities in total will provide an amount of funding or make an in-kind contribution having a value that matches 10 percent of the amount of grant funding for which the applicant has applied, if an application is sponsored by one or more member universities. For a grant proposal application sponsored by a member university housing the consortium and providing back-office support pursuant to subsection c. of section 5 of P.L.2018, c.111 (C.18A:64-98), the cost of that housing and support to that member university shall count towards the funding or in-kind contribution match from that member university.

b. The consortium shall provide grants for projects that achieve the following goals:

(1) improve the quantity and quality of civic information in New Jersey communities;

(2) give residents enhanced access to useful government data and public information through innovative applications, platforms, and technologies;

(3) train students, professionals, and community members in the practice of community storytelling, journalism, and media production;

(4) nurture better civic engagement and dialogue inside and between New Jersey communities;

(5) better meet the information needs of low-income communities and racial and ethnic communities that have been underserved by the media; and

(6) invest in research and practices that can help media outlets become more closely connected to their audiences and more sustainable without government support.

L.2018, c.111, s.7.