Scholars at Risk

The UCSF Scholars at Risk (SAR) Program promotes academic freedom by funding the professional and educational endeavors of scholars who face threats in their home countries. We facilitate scholars’ move to UCSF and support them by partially or fully funding their endeavors until work conditions improve in their home countries and they can return safely.

We are part of Scholars at Risk, an international network of higher education institutions and individuals working to protect threatened scholars, prevent attacks on higher education, and promote academic freedom.

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

Current Opportunities

For Scholars

Scholars who find themselves in danger can apply to UCSF through the SAR program. The program allows for continuation of training until a safe return home is possible. UCSF education and training programs are available to all accepted scholars and most, if not all, costs will be covered (including transport, visas, tuition, 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.

Apply now

For Donors

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

We need your help! Your generous donation provides safety and security for scholars, colleagues and UCSF partners 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 at Risk 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.

Donate now

Recent Events

Iran and the Woman Life Freedom Movement Roundtable Discussion

UCSF scholars discuss the current protests in Iran and the Women Life Freedom uprising.

Contact Us

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