May 2006
MCF establishes grants for students from the former Soviet Union in all the major Israeli universities with an annual endowment of 1 million shekels.
Cherney grants are earmarked for Russian-speaking students majoring in political science, law, and journalism/communication at Universities of Bar-Ilan, Tel-Aviv, Haifa, Ben-Gurion, Jerusalem and Ariel.
The Foundation’s directors chose to focus on these particular areas in view of the fact that, while the olim from the former USSR are already widely represented in Israel’s science and technology, they are practically absent from middle and top management in the state sector, the legal system, and Israeli mainstream media.
According to Mr. Cherney, “the grants are a modest effort to help the Russian aliya break through this glass ceiling. These areas are dominated by old-time clans that slow down social progress. If our generation has failed to realize our potential for the national interest, perhaps our children will fare better.”
According to the study done by the Knesset’s Research and Information center a year ago, the former Soviet citizens account for 15.4% of the most employable population (from 25 to 65 years of age). They have the highest percentage of those with college degrees (44.3% v. 21.2% for the native-born). 27.3 of Israel’ s health workers come from the Soviet Union. Yet at the same time, only 0.8% of executives in the civil service are former Soviets.
Starting fall of 2006, MCF will establish additional grants for students studying LAW in 5 more colleges (mihlalot).
Criteria for Applicant
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