R&D Council Announces New Scholarship Initiative The Research & Development Council of New Jersey has announced a new scholarship program, which will recognize the state’s single-most top performing high school science student based on that student’s cumulative work in the sciences. The scholarship program was approved at the Council’s January 31 Board Meeting. To qualify for the scholarship money, the candidate must be attending one of New Jersey’s six doctoral research colleges. In addition, a $5000 monetary award will be distributed over the winner’s four year undergraduate program. Should the winner decide to transfer to an out of state college, he or she will become ineligible to receive the remaining scholarship money. "It’s critical that we encourage students to pursue their education here in New Jersey," said Mario M. Casabona, Chairman of the R&D Council. "Our Council has placed great emphasis on education initiatives. Studies show that students often accept their first job close to the area where they attended college. We hope this scholarship will not only recognize New Jersey’s top performing high school student, but that it will encourage that student to stay in a New Jersey university, and hopefully upon graduation seek employment at one of the state’s very prestigious research companies or universities." The Council will announce the first recipient of this newly formed scholarship in May.