Measure Would Establish Scholarships for Graduate Students and Researchers

To increase the state’s talent pool of top-level graduate students and researchers in the fields of fusion energy and plasma physics, Senator Joe Pennacchio sponsors legislation approved today by the Senate Higher Education Committee.

To increase the state’s talent pool of top-level graduate students and researchers in the fields of fusion energy and plasma physics, Sen. Joe Pennacchio sponsors legislation approved today by the Senate Higher Education Committee. (Pixabay)

“To establish New Jersey as a leader in renewable fusion energy, we need to encourage the best and brightest young talent to help lead the transition,” said Pennacchio (R-26). “Fusion is an appealing renewable energy option with limitless potential,” said Pennacchio (R-26).

“This bill will support the development of scientists and researchers to advance the innovations required to realize the promise of fusion as a safe, economical, and sustainable energy source for our long-term power needs.”

Pennacchio’s bill, S-218, would establish a scholarship program for graduate students and postdoctoral researchers in New Jersey who are studying or conducting research in plasma physics and fusion energy science. The program would be administered by the state’s Higher Education Student Assistance Authority (HESAA).

“New Jersey, as the home of the Princeton Physics Lab and an ever-growing consortium of new ventures committed to making fusion power a reality, the state is poised to play a formative role in this evolutionary science,” Pennacchio said.

“The successful development of fusion energy would herald a new era of economic and scientific development worldwide,” Pennacchio added. “This legislation would ensure the most talented and promising scholars can pursue educational and career opportunities to advance new developments in fusion.”

Ten scholarships would be awarded annually for $12,500, and Pennacchio’s bill requires universities to match the awards, providing each student with $25,000 in aid.

A previous version of the bill was approved by the Senate in February 2020.

This measure is part of a multi-bill bipartisan package Pennacchio first introduced in September 2019 to make New Jersey a global leader of fusion energy research and the development of commercial technology to bring fusion power to market.