KKL-JNF funding A$8.5m in scholarships
A festive ceremony awarding scholarships to students took place on Wednesday in which KKL – JNF awarded student scholarships amounting a total of NIS 11,854,000m (A$8.5m) to 650 students.
Some of the recipients Photo: Yossi Zeliger
Scholarships awarded at the event in the Hula Forest included scholarships for studies, living and working for students who commit to staying in the periphery for climate studies, technology and more.
KKL – JNF offers study scholarships to students every year. The target audience for the aid changes every year, and so do the eligibility criteria. Funding is usually based on the socio-economic status of the students and also supports populations such as new immigrants or students with disabilities. Also, the foundation emphasises the provision of peripheral scholarships, which are intended for students living in Galilee or the Negev or for those studying in academic institutions located in those areas. Sometimes there are also projects where encouragement is given to students who choose to live in the Negev or the Galilee after completing their studies, with the aim of contributing to the development of those areas.
Among KKL-JNF donors:
The Hoffman Foundation
The Hoffman Foundation from Australia, managed by the Hebrew University and KKL – JNF, awards scholarships to outstanding students for a graduate degree in the Robert H. Smith Faculty of Food and Environmental Agriculture.
The scholarship is awarded after a screening and selection process of the winners by the Hebrew University in collaboration with KKL-JNF. The selection is based, among other things, on academic excellence, evaluation of the candidates’ research plan and motivation for studies or research. Preference is given to students who live in the Negev and Galilee or students whose practical work environment, within the degree, is in the Galilee and Negev region .
The Bender Fund: A joint program with KKL-JNF in Germany, suitable for students with socio-economic need who study the subjects of chemistry, medicine, physics and engineering. The aid was granted to students for bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, doctorate and engineering studies.
KKL-JNF’s program to strengthen the Negev and the Galilee: Aid for undergraduate students to encourage studies in the periphery. The aid is divided into two activities, one at the beginning of the school year and the second one a year after graduation, for students who stay to work and live in the Galilee or the Negev. The support was given to students in the last year of their bachelor’s degree who completed a full military service or national service and presented a high-grade point average during the years of the degree.
Siyobtzi Fund: In this fund, scholarships were offered to new immigrant students from French-speaking countries, including France, Morocco, Tunisia, Switzerland and Belgium. The aid is given to those studying for an engineering certificate or an academic degree. Preference is given to students for subjects such as computer science, engineering, natural sciences or biotechnology. Also, priority was given to students who stayed in Israel without their parents, to those with low socioeconomic status and to those who have completed military or national service.
Philosophy Foundation: The Philosophy Foundation offers research scholarships to graduate students in the field of philosophy who are working to promote the field in Israel. Priority is given to research students for a master’s degree or a third degree who live or study in the Galilee or the Negev or research topics relevant to those regions. The scope of aid was also increased following the Corona crisis, with the aim of helping researchers in the challenging period and supporting their research.
Marx Foundation: The Marx Foundation was established to support artists and people with disabilities and to promote the field of culture in Israel. Students on the autistic spectrum have been included among the populations assisted by this fund over the years. The criteria change from time to time and are determined by the donors. The award is given in a ceremony to which the students are invited.
Bowman Foundation: The Bowman Foundation provides assistance to bereaved brothers and sisters in cooperation with the General Guardian. The fund is named after the late Nikola Bauman, who bequeathed his fortune to bereaved families in Israel. It is a dedicated aid to undergraduate students whose brothers or sisters perished and in accordance with the registration in the Ministry of Defense.
Ronnie Vinnikov, Head of Resources Development and External Affairs at KKL-JNF: “This ceremony is the best illustration to show KKL-JNF not only talks about strengthening the younger generation but acts in a tangible and meaningful way, invests a lot of resources, thought and supports the younger generation in the social and geographical periphery of State of Israel.”
