Global Community Emergency Fund Provides Critical Support When It Matters Most
For international students and scholars, coming to UC Davis can represent the start of something extraordinary: an opportunity to learn, pursue new ideas, advance research and build connections across cultures and communities.
But building a life far from home also requires resilience. When the unexpected happens, whether it is a financial setback, an emergency affecting family abroad, a humanitarian crisis or other circumstances that put their academic or professional work at risk, the distance from familiar support networks can make an already difficult situation even harder.
In those moments, knowing there is a community ready to help can make all the difference.
The UC Davis Global Community Emergency Fund provides support to international students and scholars when circumstances beyond their control threaten their stability.
Support That Helps People Move Forward
The challenges facing members of our international academic community take many forms. An unexpected expense can threaten a student’s ability to meet basic needs and continue their education. Scholars facing difficult circumstances in their home countries may find their academic work and careers disrupted. The UC Davis Threatened Scholars Committee works with external organizations to secure support for these scholars and with partners across UC Davis to provide additional support. Whether responding to an urgent financial need or helping a scholar continue their academic work, the goal is the same: to provide support and stability during a difficult time.
The Global Community Emergency Fund provides direct financial assistance for essential needs such as housing, utilities and transportation. This year, the committee awarded $8,724 to 17 undergraduate students, graduate students and scholars, helping them address urgent financial needs and continue their UC Davis journeys.
“For members of our international community, a crisis can quickly create significant challenges, especially when family and familiar support systems are thousands of miles away,” said Beth Greenwood, associate dean for global legal education in the UC Davis School of Law. “This fund allows us to provide practical help at the moment it is needed most, giving people the support they need to keep moving forward.”
For recipients, that assistance can mean more than immediate financial relief. It can help them stay focused on their studies, research or professional work and on what comes next.
A Community That Shows Up
Last year, donors from UC Davis and the broader community demonstrated the power of collective support. The 2025 Crowdfund campaign raised $6,503 for the Global Community Emergency Fund, surpassing its $5,000 goal.
From October 1 through October 31, the Fund will once again participate in Crowdfund UC Davis. Every gift helps strengthen this vital resource for international students and scholars facing difficult circumstances.
“International students and scholars are an essential part of who we are as a global university. They enrich our classrooms, advance research and discovery and bring perspectives that strengthen our community,” said Joanna Regulska, vice provost and dean of UC Davis Global Affairs. “When someone faces an uncertain moment far from home, our support sends a powerful message: you are a valued part of the UC Davis community, you belong here and your community is here for you.”
Support the Global Community Emergency Fund during Crowdfund UC Davis