Stardust Fertility Foundation Grants

Stardust Grants is a philanthropic program offering financial and support services to Jewish individuals and couples seeking fertility treatments within the tri-state area of Connecticut, New Jersey, and New York. The program’s mission is rooted in the belief that every Jewish family, regardless of structure, deserves a chance to grow. Designed to alleviate part of the financial burden of fertility services, Stardust Grants operates with an inclusive ethos, supporting applicants who meet medical, religious, and geographical criteria. Applications are accepted year-round on a rolling basis, but are formally reviewed quarterly by a multidisciplinary committee comprising professionals from the fields of medicine, science, law, finance, and social work. The program provides grants ranging from $1,000 to $15,000, payable directly to approved fertility clinics. These funds are restricted to new fertility treatments and must be used within 12 months of approval. Grants do not cover retroactive expenses or treatments already performed. In addition to direct financial support, Stardust partners with select fertility clinics to offer recipients up to a 20% discount on services. Applicants also benefit from discounted rates for fertility medications at specialty pharmacies and receive access to peer support through the program’s Stardust Fertility Friends initiative. Eligible applicants must reside in Connecticut, New Jersey, or New York. At least one intended parent must be Jewish, and Judaism must be the sole religion practiced in the household and in which the child will be raised. Stardust explicitly supports individuals and couples across a spectrum of configurations, including same-sex couples and single parents. Applicants must also demonstrate infertility, as defined by the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), or have a qualifying medical circumstance requiring Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART). A reproductive endocrinologist must certify both the necessity of treatment and the applicant’s candidacy for success. The program does not fund treatments for those seeking to conceive a third child or beyond. Covered treatments include IVF (with or without ICSI and PGT), IUI, donor gametes or embryos used in IVF, and surrogacy (with conditions). Ineligible procedures include egg freezing, embryo banking, IVF for women over age 45 unless donor eggs are used, and fertility medications. Additionally, applicants are expected to have stable living conditions, financial ability to support a child, and basic health insurance for both mother and baby. Full Jewish genetic screening is required via resources such as JScreen, and applicants undergo review of medical and psychosocial readiness. Applications are reviewed quarterly, with deadlines falling on March 31, June 30, September 30, and December 31. Although the application portal is always open, grants are awarded based on demand and committee deliberation. Notification of decisions typically follows within two to three weeks of each cycle’s close. All information submitted is handled with sensitivity and confidentiality, and the organization remains committed to walking applicants through the process every step of the way.

Ensure all components are complete. Most rejections stem from incomplete applications.