Global Scholars

The UCSF Global Scholars program is a part of the international network of Scholars at Risk (SAR), an international network of higher education institutions and individuals working to protect threatened scholars, prevent attacks on higher education and promote academic freedom.

We promote academic freedom by funding the professional and educational endeavors of scholars who are facing threats to their work due to violence, political unrest or other challenges. We facilitate scholars’ move to UCSF and support them by partially or fully funding their endeavors.

UCSF established a SAR chapter in 2017, and to date, we have raised funds to assist 30 scholars from Afghanistan, Iran, Sudan, Tajikistan, Ukraine and other countries.

Current Opportunities

For Scholars

Scholars who find themselves at risk can apply to UCSF through the Global Scholars program. The program allows for the continuation of training until a safe return home is possible. UCSF education and training programs are available to all accepted scholars, and most costs will be covered (including transport, visas, tuition and housing). Families are eligible to join.

We are currently issuing a call for scholars in at-risk situations to apply for a limited number of training and fellowship opportunities at UCSF and in collaboration with UC Berkeley.

Examples of possible programs include:

• Institute for Global Health Sciences Master’s Degree
• Institute for Global Health Sciences PhD
• Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics – Advanced Training in Clinical Research Certificate Program
• Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics – Summer Clinical Research Workshop
• Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics – Certificate in Health Data Science
• Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics – Master’s Degree in Clinical Research
• Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics – PhD in Epidemiology & Translational Science
• Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics – Online Certificate in Implementation Science

The Global Scholars Committee will review these documents in a timely manner and respond with follow-up steps.

For Donors

UCSF Global Scholars invites you to partner with us! Your donation will help bolster our efforts to give scholars a safe haven at UCSF to continue their studies free from persecution.

As a public university whose mission is to improve health worldwide, UCSF has established a UCSF Scholars at Risk Fund to raise $25 million to protect threatened scholars and their families.

We need your help! Your generous donation provides safety and security for scholars in need, including travel, housing, tuition and living stipends.

Your donation to this fund will support scholars and their families by providing:

• Tuition support and living expenses to commence or continue graduate education in one of UCSF’s exemplary programs, such as the MS in Global Health Sciences, PhD in Epidemiology and Translational Science, or a professional degree from one of UCSF’s four schools (Dentistry, Medicine, Nursing and Pharmacy).
• Temporary academic positions at UCSF. Scholars will be invited to work in UCSF labs and other professional environments until conditions improve and they are able to return to their home countries.
• Legal support to protect scholars and their families from persecution or harm through visas and other forms of legal aid.
• Small grants to support self-study with a UCSF mentor for those displaced from their home but unable to move to San Francisco; online learning to participate in educational, research or career developmental activities; supplementary stipends to enable participation in a fellowship or other educational opportunity.
• Administrative and financial support for the Global Scholars network to advocate for academic freedom as an essential element to quality research, teaching and discourse.

Please help protect our scholars and promote academic freedom.

For more information about donating, contact Allison White, Director of University Development at [email protected] or 415-502-5868.

Global Scholars Committee

• Jess Ghannam, PhD
  Faculty Director, Global Scholars
  Clinical Professor, Psychiatry
  UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences
• Ali Mirzazadeh, PhD, MD, MPH
  Associate Professor, Epidemiology & Biostatistics
• Elizabeth Fair, PhD, MPH
  Professor, Medicine
• Alden Blair, PhD, MS
  Associate MS Program Director, IGHS
• Inez Bailey, MS
  Sr. Director, Program Development & Administration, IGHS
• Joe Novotny, MPH
  Director, International Research Support Operations
• Ritu Sehgal, MA
  Deputy Director, ITAPS, Senior Program Manager – International Training & Education, GSI, IGHS
• Gladys Villacorta, MA
  Associate Director, Contracts and Compliance, International Research Support Operations

International Student and Scholar Office

• Brian Groves, MS
  Director of International Student and Scholar Office
• Holly Nigorizawa, MA
  Program Director, CAIPS International Programs
• Matthew Loehrer, MA
  International Student and Scholar Specialist

Global Health Education Team

• Darlene Mergillano, MS
  Graduate Affairs Officer
• Tammy Spath
  Senior Program Manager

Contact Us

Please contact [email protected] for more information on donating or for any other inquiries.