Among the 2017 recipients twelve students will pursue MBA programs, four students, two each, will enroll in MPA and LL.M programs. They will attend the best universities in the U.S., including the Yale School of Management, Duke Fuqua School of Business, University of Chicago Booth School of Business, University of California Berkeley-Haas School of Business, Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management, UCLA Anderson School of Management, Cornell Samuel Curtis Johnson Graduate School of Management, Carnegie Mellon Tepper School of Business, UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School, Emory Goizueta Business School, University of Pennsylvania Law School, Cornell Law School, Dartmouth Tuck School of Business, University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy, Columbia School of International and Public Affairs.

“We are pleased to continue supporting young Ukrainian and Moldovan professionals striving for personal growth.  Ukraine and Moldova will benefit from well-trained professional talent, ready to lead and provide financial and legal advice to growing companies and government.  We believe that our SEED Grant scholars, whether they work in the private or public sector, will not only increase the pool of skilled professionals able to implement best global practices but also will become much-needed agents of change who will guide the economies of both countries to prosperity in the coming years.” stated Jaroslawa Johnson, President and CEO of the Western NIS Enterprise Fund.

Marie L. Yovanovitch, the U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine, stressed: “The USAID-supported WNISEF SEED Grant program is just one piece of a larger effort that is needed for Ukraine to unlock its economic potential. Ukraine must also invest in mentoring and internship programs, educational grants, soft skills training, and other activities that will help develop the professional skills of its public and private managers.”

This is the third SEED Grant enrollment. In 2015-2016 academic year, five students from Ukraine pursued studies with funding from the SEED Grant program. In 2016-2017 academic year, 13 SEED Grant scholarships were awarded. All scholarship recipients are required to return to Ukraine and Moldova upon completion of their studies and work in the country for three years applying their knowledge and skills toward the development of this country’s business and economy.