Governor's STEM Scholars Program

Ever since Thomas Edison invented the light bulb, New Jersey has been a global powerhouse for innovation. Our state has many of the world's most innovative companies and one of the country's highest percentages of educated people. However, as global competition increases, our state must make a special effort in order to maintain its historic advantage as a hub for groundbreaking research and development.

In order to maintain its edge, the Research & Development Council joined with the Governor's office, the New Jersey Department of Education, and the Secretary of Education to identify, promote and mentor promising New Jersey students who are interested in working in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math). Our program begins in high school and continues all the way up to the PhD level. Ultimately, our goal is to not only maintain New Jersey's talent pipeline, but to expand it as well. We believe that you can play an integral role in achieving this goal by promoting students who are already interested in STEM research, as well as those women and minorities who are underrepresented in these fields.

In the past, when there were not as many American research institutions as there are now, Thomas Edison and Albert Einstein had fewer opportunities outside of Menlo Park and Princeton. Today, there is much more competition both in this country and around the world for the finest minds in the STEM fields. By supporting the Governor's STEM Scholars, you can add to our state's rich history of innovation and encourage the next Edison or Einstein to make their home in New Jersey.

The Research and Development Council is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization that is eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.