Welcome to the Global Initiatives updates for faculty, researchers, and staff.  The newsletter presents opportunities for globally engaged research and teaching as well as celebrates the global engagement of our campus community and the partnerships we build and strengthen.  If you have global opportunities, highlights, or events to share that are relevant to faculty, researchers and staff, please email global@ucsd.edu by the 30th of each month. 

Merkin Graduate Fellows Program

The Merkin Fellowship supports innovative student-designed graduate student research on topics related to human health and longevity, including in fields broadly related to translational medicine at locations abroad for 3-6 months.  Work may be individual or part of a larger group experience with other eligible applicants.

UC San Diego contact: Carrie Daly, Merkin Fellowship Program Manager

Applications due: Next deadline is October 2025, but applications are reviewed once every quarter.

Lafayette Fellowships

The French Embassy in the United States is launching this new scholarship program to support the next generations of young leaders who have a strong interest in the transatlantic relationship between France and the United States in one year of master's level study in France.  The Fellowship emphasizes reflection on major global challenges.

Sponsor and contact: French Embassy in the United States; lafayettefellowship@villa-albertine.org

Applications due: November 30, 2025

University of California - University of Baja California (UABC) Call for Proposals

This Alianza MX funding opportunity provides up to $25,000 seed funding to collaborative projects addressing 'sustainable food systems and binational food security,' 'mental health and social cohesion in contexts of vulnerability,' or 'energy transition and sustainability of critical materials.'  Proposals need two PIs from the UC system and two PIs from UABC.
Sponsor: UC Alianza MX
Submission Deadline: December 5, 2025

Technical University of Munich Global Visiting Professor Program

The Technical University of Munich (TUM) is interested in recruiting faculty from international universities for temporary teaching and research collaborations as a way to further internationalize their campus.  A TUM host (faculty or junior fellows) must be identified for the application and stays can be between one week and three months.

Sponsor: Technical University of Munich
Submission Deadlines: January 31, 2026 for stays possible from April 1, 2026

Required Research Security Training

Federal regulations, including the CHIPS and Science Act and forthcoming regulations anticipated in National Security Presidential Memorandum 33 (NSPM-33), require covered individuals involved in federally funded research to complete research security training. Federal agencies are actively rolling out these training requirements. This training is accessible in your UC Learning portal.  

FAQ Sheets for Federal Updates

UC San Diego has drafted responses to some of the most frequently asked questions related to federal updates as a way to keep the UC San Diego community informed in an evolving landscape.  For our community on the Health Sciences campus, there is also a new federal updates website accessed through a Health Sciences log-in.

International Services and Engagement Office (ISEO) Updates on Recent U.S. Government Actions

UC San Diego’s International Services & Engagement Office (ISEO)  is actively working to keep our population informed on the latest federal updates. We encourage you to visit their website for the most up-to-date information and updates: iupdates.ucsd.edu.

UC San Diego Global Strategic Plan

Global Initiatives is proud to release A Bold Era of Strategic Internationalization: A Strategic Plan for UC San Diego.  After nearly two years of campus-wide stakeholder engagement and feedback, Global Initiatives has collated and consolidated this expansive work into a living document with innovative and actionable strategies and recommendations for global engagement made for the UC San Diego community by the UC San Diego community.

Joel Yuen-Zhou Thinks Theory is Fun

Professor of Chemistry Joel Yuen-Zhou has always been globally engaged.  He was born and raised in Mexico City to Chinese immigrants and grew to love math, although he eventually became a chemist. He has recently received the Brown Investigator Award from Caltech and the 2025 Medal from the International Academy of Quantum Molecular Science. In this Q&A he talks about his upbringing, his career and his quest for beautiful theories.

UC San Diego Researchers Shortlisted for International Cancer Competition

Two UC San Diego researchers are on projects that reached the final 12 of the 227 entries for the international Cancer Grand Challenges competition.  Ludmil Alexandrov, Ph.D., professor of cellular and molecular medicine and bioengineering leads team CAUSE to decode cancer’s mutational signatures, while Trey Ideker, Ph.D. professor of medicine, bioengineering, and computer science is a co-investigator on team Biologia Ex Machina focused on artificial intelligence (AI)–human collaborations in cancer.  Their teams include scientists from the Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland, the U.K., and the U.S.

Merkin Graduate Fellows Program Receives Renewed Support to Fuel Global Research

Merkin Graduate Fellowships are designed to foster meaningful international collaboration by giving students with the opportunity to conduct extended three- to six-month research residencies at institutions across the U.S. and globally.  Focused on students whose research is centered on improving human health and longevity, the program broadens students' global perspectives and deepens their academic and personal growth.

Here, Now 여기, 지금 exhibit

Here, Now 여기, 지금 presents publications and special materials on the Korean War (1950–1953) and the Korean Demilitarized Zone from historical and artistic perspectives. This exhibition invites reflection on the aftermath of the war and explores ways to promote peace in the present.

When: Here, Now 여기, 지금 is on view from September 19 to December 14, 2025. 

Where: The Nest in Geisel Library (open hours)

Fall Break Connection Program

The Fall Break Connection program gives UC San Diego international students and scholars the opportunity to spend some time with a local San Diego host family or community during the university’s Fall Break from classes. Originally begun years ago as a “Thanksgiving exchange” with hosts and guests meeting to share a meal on the Thanksgiving holiday, the Fall Break Connection program has since expanded into an opportunity for the UC San Diego international community and local San Diego community members to exchange cultures, conversation, and food–with the opportunity to discover new friendships. Many students and hosts are returning participants each year! Our applications are now open for both local hosts and families as well as international guests. Application deadline is November 7.  

When: Thursday, November 27, or Saturday, November 29, 2025

Where: In-person at a local host's home

Contact: Questions?  Email iprograms@ucsd.edu with the subject line, Fall Break Connection.

Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) Infosession

Learn how the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) can help you do research in Japan.  Please join UC San Diego and the JSPS for an infosession on funding opportunities in all disciplines for Master's and Ph.D. students, postdoctoral scholars, faculty and other researchers.

When: Thursday, November 20, 2025 from 11:30-12:30

Where: virtually with registration

Contact: Questions?  Email elangridge@ucsd.edu.

International Services and Engagement Office (ISEO) Events Calendar

Thoughout the Fall Quarter, ISEO has multiple opportunities to engage with ISEO and with the campus community.  These include events like the Global Coffee Hour but also workshops that can help unravel the intricacies of U.S. visas.

When: multiple dates

Where: both in person and virtual

Contact: Questions?  Email iprograms@ucsd.edu with an indication of which program or event you have questions about.

Global Initiatives welcomes delegations of senior leadership and key faculty from partner institutions, government entities and industry. Many of these visits center around the exploration of potential collaborative partnerships, exchange programs, and co-sponsored research projects. 

The Global partnership database contains the latest information on active UC San Diego’s formalized international partnerships.