NATIONAL Rums of Jamaica has officially launched its charitable arm, the NRJ Foundation, as a way to give back to the communities in which the company operates.

During the official launch last Thursday, the new non-profit announced the NRJ Foundation Scholarship as its first order of business.

“Over the years, NRJ has consistently sought to improve social welfare in our communities in Clarendon, Trelawny and Innswood, St Catherine. The organisation has spearheaded various infrastructure projects in partnership with public and private entities, contributed to the physical improvement of various community areas and partnered with the fire and health departments on a number of initiatives.

“These projects have had tremendous impact on community members, and now with the establishment of the foundation as a separate, independent entity, we will be able to formalise and maximise our outreach efforts,” said NRJ Foundation’s company secretary Joseph Robinson.

At the launch representatives of the foundation outlined that its focus will be on driving social change in the broad areas of health care, infrastructure and education.

The first undertaking by the foundation will be its inaugural NRJ Foundation Scholarship for the academic year 2024-2025.

Two scholarships, valued at $500,000 each, will be awarded in the upcoming academic year.

They will be open to students who are pursuing, or are about to pursue, an undergraduate degree at The University of the West Indies, Caribbean Maritime University, and the University of Technology, Jamaica in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

“With the launch of the scholarship, we hope to meet a genuine need for funding and support for our community members to pursue tertiary education. Likewise, with the foundation now officially established, we can formalise and amplify our engineering and management internships to foster more opportunities for these surrounding community members to gain experience and acquire valuable skill,” said Martha Miller, chairperson and director of the NRJ Foundation.

Applications for the NRJ Foundation Scholarship will open in June and close in July of this year.