Threats to UCLA’s research, funding and future remain ongoing, unpredictable and very real. Your story can influence what happens next.

If you walk through UCLA today, you might not notice the strain beneath the surface. Still, threats to the discoveries that save and improve lives remain, as do the doctors and researchers who refuse to give up, the faculty who inspire possibility, the communities strengthened by UCLA’s outreach and the generations of students whose lives are changed here.

In recent months, UCLA weathered a storm. The tempest has quieted, but the danger still exists. Our research enterprise, one of the pillars of UCLA’s mission, continues to face unpredictable challenges to the federal support that sustains it. And when support for UCLA wavers, it affects more than research; it impacts our ability to provide a world-class education, deliver exceptional healthcare and serve the public good across California and beyond.

This is where you come in.

Real stories from alumni, patients, donors, faculty, staff and students demonstrate that UCLA’s work has a tangible impact on lives, communities and industries, and that federal support directly enhances this leverage.

We are gathering written testimonials and informal videos to share with elected officials and others who directly influence UCLA’s future because your testimony isn’t just inspiring — it’s evidence. Whether you prefer to write a brief reflection or record a simple one-minute video on your phone, your voice helps show policymakers what UCLA truly means to the people it serves. Policymakers need to hear from those who know UCLA best: the Bruins whose lives have been changed by it.

•    Did a class, mentor or research opportunity alter your path?
•    Did UCLA help you become the person you hoped to be?
•    Has UCLA’s community impact affected you in a meaningful way?
•    Did a UCLA breakthrough improve your health or the health of someone you care about?

Your lived experience is powerful. It serves as proof and hope. When Bruins speak, people listen. And right now, your personal story carries more weight than any statistic.

Stories may be shared on UCLA platforms or in advocacy materials sent directly to policymakers. By submitting, you give UCLA permission to use your content in these communications.

#StandUpForUCLA