Governor Murphy Signs Historic Aviation Safety Legislation

On January 12, 2026, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy signed 

, making New Jersey the first state to establish dedicated funding for university-based UAP research. The legislation appropriates $3.5 million across two aviation safety programs, which is in addition to $2 million already appropriated for these programs in the FY2026 budget.

UAP Research Center ($2.5 million annually):

 The aviation education grant program enables New Jersey public universities to apply for funding to establish a Center for the Study of Unidentified Aerial Phenomena. The bill appropriates $2.5 million to be awarded on an annual basis, which is in addition to $1 million already appropriated in the FY2026 budget.

A prerequisite for any institution applying is participation in (or planned participation in) the federal Unmanned Aircraft Systems Collegiate Training Initiative. The Secretary of Higher Education must make grant applications available within 120 days of the law's effective date. If the full appropriation is not spent in the first year, residual funds carry over to subsequent fiscal years until exhausted.

Air Traffic Controller Loan Redemption Program ($1 million):

 The program provides up to $100,000 in student loan forgiveness over four years for eligible air traffic controllers who are New Jersey residents and commence employment with the FAA following the law's effective date. The bill appropriates $1 million, in addition to $1 million already appropriated in the FY2026 budget. The fiscal estimate projects the first cohort could accommodate 18-20 air traffic controllers.

Approved sites include airports within the state or operated by multi-state agencies serving New Jersey, as well as Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON), Air Route Control Centers, and similar FAA facilities serving these airports. The program addresses the national shortage of air traffic controllers. If the full appropriation is not spent in the first year, residual funds carry over to subsequent fiscal years until exhausted.

Americans for Safe Aerospace submitted formal support for S.4432/A.5712 in November 2025. ASA Executive Director Ryan Graves, a former F-18 pilot with a decade of U.S. Navy service, testified: "I experienced the puzzling reality of advanced UAP firsthand and submit this letter to voice the concerns of countless commercial aircrew and military veterans who have confided in their similar encounters."

Graves emphasized that the absence of coordinated research infrastructure "hampers the U.S. ability to effectively analyze and address potential threats posed by these phenomena," and noted: "I recognize the skepticism surrounding this subject. If everyone could see the sensor and video data I've witnessed, our national conversation may very well change overnight."

The greatest obstacle to UAP research progress has been professional stigma. University-based research legitimizes UAP study as credible scientific inquiry, creating pathways for civilian pilots and aviation professionals to report observations without fear of career consequences. Unlike federal programs operating within classification systems, state research can publish findings openly.

New Jersey Universities: Apply for These Grants

New Jersey public universities can apply for grants to establish a UAP research center, but must participate in (or have planned participation in) the federal Unmanned Aircraft Systems Collegiate Training Initiative as a prerequisite for eligibility. The Secretary of Higher Education will give preference to institutions in counties of the first class (New Jersey's most populous counties, including Bergen, Essex, Hudson, and Middlesex) and must make grant applications available within 120 days of the law's effective date.

Americans for Safe Aerospace is committed to ensuring successful implementation of this historic legislation.

 ASA is prepared to engage with New Jersey universities to identify institutions positioned to establish the UAP research center and is available to coordinate with the bill's sponsors and support universities preparing grant applications.

ASA can provide comprehensive support to institutions establishing UAP research centers, including technical consultation on UAP research methodologies, connections to aviation professionals and researchers, access to UAP report data, and guidance on research infrastructure development. Universities interested in partnering with ASA on their grant applications should contact Executive Director Ryan Graves at ryan@safeaerospace.org.

New Jersey proved state-funded UAP research is politically viable and fiscally reasonable. A network of state research centers would transform national UAP research capacity, distributed nodes with regional expertise,and public transparency.

States with strong aviation industries, major research universities, rural airspace, or coastal maritime environments can adapt this model to their circumstances. Each state that establishes a center makes the entire network more effective.

ASA commits to supporting state legislators pursuing similar legislation.

 We provide technical consultation, aviation professional testimony, state-specific UAP data analysis, model legislative language, and committee testimony support. Contact us at reports@safeaerospace.org.

The New Jersey Secretary of Higher Education must publish grant applications within 120 days of the law's effective date. Universities that develop strong applications demonstrating capacity to support UAP research will be positioned to become the nation's first state-funded UAP research center.

ASA will track implementation and provide updates as the process develops. For other states: the model exists, the funding level is proven, and the aviation safety rationale is clear. Your state can be next.

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