New Jersey is introducing grants for school districts, enforcing strict cellphone restrictions for students. The program, called the Phone-Free Schools Grant Program, rewards districts that require students to store cellphones and other internet-enabled devices for the entire school day.
The New Jersey Department of Education announced the initiative with intention to support districts in implementing “Bell-to-Bell” cellphone policies. Funding can be used for storage solutions, such as locked pouches, cabinets, lockers and for staff training to ensure policies are applied across schools. The NJDOE said the minimum award is $500, with amounts adjusted based on student enrollment and district participation.
The grant program is available only to districts that adopt the full-day storage policies. “Adoption of less stringent approaches, such as ‘Off and Away’ or ‘Limited Use’ policies, do not qualify for this program,” the department said in a release.
The program period runs from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026. Districts must submit required documents by October 31, 2025, and formally accept funds by board resolution no later than January 16, 2026.
Some New Jersey schools already restrict cellphone use in class, but few enforce full-day storage. Ramsey High School in Bergen County, for example, has required students to use lockable pouches during the school day since January. Other districts, including Jersey City, limit phones in classrooms but allow use at lunch or in hallways.
NJ State officials said the grants will help districts implement equipment and procedural guidelines for secure device storage. The program aligns with a report from the state Commission on the Effects of Social Media Usage in Adolescents, which recommended “Bell-to-Bell” restrictions to reduce distractions and limit negative impacts from social media.
The New Jersey Department of Education is managing applications and questions through its designated contact, [email protected].
The New Jersey Digest is a new jersey magazine that has chronicled daily life in the Garden State for over 10 years.