Three region students are among 23 Indiana University freshmen who have begun their academic careers at Bloomington as the newest class of Cox Research Scholars.

The program provides for four years of undergraduate research opportunity, during which students and faculty mentors work side by side on research projects and creative efforts.

Students will receive scholarships totaling more than $60,000 over four years that will provide funds for tuition, fees, books, room and board, and also a research stipend.

Area recipients are:

- Grant Huebner, of Munster, studying business economics and public policy

- Kim Long, of Munster, studying biology

- Kate Sanders, of Valparaiso, studying cognitive science

To qualify for the scholarship, students must be an incoming freshman and Indiana resident and rank in the top 5 percent of their high school graduating class.

The Jesse H. and Beulah Chanley Cox Research Scholars Program was established three years ago with a gift of nearly $47 million from the Coxes.

Another three residents from the region are among 21 students receiving a Cox Scholarship for study at IU's Bloomington and Indianapolis campuses.

The renewable scholarship provides 75 percent of the estimated cost of attendance at IU Bloomington and Indiana University-Purdue University at Indianapolis. To be eligible, applicants must display high academic achievement and work to pay for 25 percent of their college expenses.

Area recipients are:

- Radley Alcantara, of Portage, IU Bloomington

- Taylor Morton, of Griffith, IU Bloomington

- Emily Hickman, of LaPorte, IUPUI

The scholarship was established three years ago with a separate $15 million donation from the Cox family.