Abstract Results are presented of measurements of the J / ψ modification in p+Au, d+Au and 3He+Au collisions at forward and backward rapidity ( 1.2 < | y | < 2.2 ) by the PHENIX experiment. The rapidity, transverse momentum and collision centrality dependence of the modifications are presented, and compared between the three light projectile collision systems. The modification for p+Al is found to be small. For p+Au it is depends strongly on collision centrality at forward rapidity. In both cases models describe the data well. The modifications for d+Au and 3He+Au are very similar to those for p+Au, although there is a hint of slightly increased suppression for 3He+Au over p+Au at backward rapidity.