Columbia University announced on Tuesday that it is laying off nearly 180 employees after US President Donald Trump canceled $400 million in federal funding. The decision, which affects a wide range of research programs at the Ivy League institution, comes in response to the university’s handling of student protests related to the war in Gaza.The layoffs represent about 20% of staff supported by the now-terminated federal grants. Columbia said it had to make “deliberate, considered decisions” about financial resource allocation, according to a statement released on May 7, as reported by the Associated Press.Funding canceled over handling of campus protestsThe Trump administration withdrew the funding in March, citing Columbia’s failure to adequately respond to antisemitic incidents during pro-Palestinian demonstrations on campus. These protests, which began in October 2023 and escalated in April, included an encampment and the occupation of a university building, leading to multiple arrests. Columbia became a central site in a nationwide wave of student-led activism over the Israel-Hamas war.According to the Associated Press, university officials said the affected positions are directly tied to the canceled grants. The work being scaled back includes projects on antiviral nasal sprays for infectious diseases, research on maternal mortality and morbidity, treatments for chronic illnesses like long Covid, newborn care for opioid withdrawal, and colorectal cancer screenings.Cuts have major impact on research and staffingJessica Murphy, a spokesperson for Columbia, declined to confirm if more layoffs would follow but noted the university is taking broader steps to manage its finances. These include maintaining current salary levels and offering voluntary retirement incentives, as reported by the Associated Press.Faculty members expressed deep concern about the consequences of the funding cut. Marcel Agueros, an astronomy professor and secretary of Columbia’s chapter of the American Association of University Professors, called the layoffs “dispiriting” and said that research efforts have already been severely disrupted. “When there’s an interruption in funding, people have to leave, new people can’t be hired, some initiatives have to be put on hold, others need to be stopped,” he said, as quoted by the Associated Press.Trump administration demands institutional changesFollowing the funding cutoff, Columbia agreed to a series of conditions set by the Republican administration to regain support. These included revising student disciplinary procedures, banning masks at protests, restricting demonstrations in academic spaces, adopting a new definition of antisemitism, and placing the Middle Eastern studies program under the oversight of a vice provost.US Education Secretary Linda McMahon acknowledged that Columbia was “on the right track” but, as reported by the Associated Press, declined to say when or if the funding would be restored. The Education Department has not issued further public comments on the matter.

Brown University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), along with 10 other institutions, have filed a lawsuit against the National Science Foundation (NSF), seeking to block newly announced limits on indirect cost reimbursements for federally funded research. The suit, filed in US District Court in Massachusetts, challenges the NSF’s decision to cap overhead reimbursements at 15 percent for all new college and university grants.The plaintiffs argue that the proposed funding changes would severely weaken the nation’s leadership in global research and innovation.According to the complaint, the cuts are unlawful and could “badly undermine scientific research at America’s universities,” as reported by the Boston Globe. In fiscal year 2024, MIT received $97 million in NSF funding for research under grants and cooperative agreements. Brown, in the same period, expended $34.4 million from the NSF to support nearly 250 scientific projects.Sweeping cuts and growing oppositionThe NSF’s policy shift, announced on Friday, mirrors previously attempted limits by the National Institutes of Health and the US Department of Energy. Those prior efforts were later blocked by federal courts. The new NSF rule applies to all indirect research costs and is part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to reduce what it considers excessive spending in elite academic institutions.Higher education leaders have responded with strong criticism. Matt Owens, president of the Council on Governmental Relations (COGR), said the move represents a significant threat to US scientific competitiveness. “The third time is not a charm; rather, it is disaster in the making for American science [and] technology and our nation’s continuing competitiveness,” he stated, as quoted by the Boston Globe.Billions in funding under threatIn 2024, the NSF allocated $7.2 billion for research and related academic activities, distributing funds to over 1,850 colleges and universities across the country. These grants often cover not only research activities but also vital administrative and operational costs. According to the plaintiffs, the 15 percent cap on indirect costs would force institutions to divert funds from other critical areas or reduce the scope of research entirely.Kara D. Freeman, president and CEO of the National Association of College and University Business Officers, called the cuts “short-sighted and ultimately against the nation’s interests,” as reported by the Boston Globe. She added, “The truth is that without a federal partner to share some of the costs of innovation, ground-breaking research, and other life-changing advances, these costs will fall directly and indirectly on current students or bring this vital work to a halt.”Brown faces additional federal scrutinyIn addition to the NSF cuts, Brown University is contending with a separate $510 million federal funding freeze. According to the Boston Globe, this action is part of the Trump administration’s initiative to hold universities accountable for alleged antisemitism on campuses. Brown spokesman Brian Clark noted that the university has yet to receive official notification but confirmed that about three dozen research grants—many tied to diversity, equity, and inclusion—have already been cut.Clark added that widespread cuts could lead to layoffs and halt high-impact research projects. Brown President Christina H. Paxson emphasized the national consequences, warning that reductions in NSF funding would cause the US to “lose its global competitive edge in areas such as quantum computing, machine learning, advanced novel engineering materials and biomechanics,” as quoted by the Boston Globe.A spokesperson for MIT did not respond to requests for comment, as reported by the Boston Globe.

Amid growing uncertainty over immigration policy enforcement, universities across the US are warning international students against nonessential travel. The advisory comes after at least 4,736 international students had their visa records terminated, creating widespread concern within academic institutions and student communities.According to an April 10, 2025 response from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to Congress, these terminations were logged in a government database that tracks international student legal status.The situation intensified after 1,220 students across 187 colleges, universities, and university systems had their legal status revoked or visas canceled since late March, as reported by the LA Times.Students reconsider travel amid growing visa fearsThe Trump administration’s intensified crackdown has led international students to cancel trips, including vacations, family visits, and academic travel. One PhD student at UC San Diego, who chose to remain anonymous, told the LA Times, “I probably am going to skip that to … have as few interactions with governments as possible.” Even domestic travel to destinations like Hawaii has been deemed too risky.Colleges had already begun advising caution. UC Berkeley issued a notice warning that upcoming international travel carried “strict vetting and enforcement” risks, according to the LA Times. The advisory followed concerns over deportations linked to pro-Palestinian activism, with several students suddenly losing legal status without clear explanation.California campuses and others report rising terminationsCalifornia institutions have been hit particularly hard. As of late April, over 120 students in the state had lost legal status, including at least 20 at UCLA and several across University of California and California State University campuses, as reported by the LA Times. Still, the LA Times notes that the number of affected students may be significantly higher nationwide.The fast-moving developments have left schools and immigration advisors scrambling. A Michigan college employee working with international students, who spoke anonymously, said they are fielding more travel-related questions than ever. The employee admitted to the LA Times that they often lack clear answers due to evolving federal guidelines.New guidance expands reasons for visa revocationPreviously, students could remain in the US even if their visa was revoked, as long as they did not leave the country. However, under the new rules, visa revocation alone is now grounds for losing legal status, increasing the risk of deportation for students who travel abroad. The LA Times reports that after some federal judges raised due process concerns, the government reversed certain terminations—only to later introduce broader justifications for revocation.Legal uncertainty adds to stress for students and advisorsMany students, some with only minor infractions, are unsure why their status was removed. Some have gone into hiding or left the country voluntarily, according to the LA Times. Rishi Oza, an immigration lawyer in North Carolina, told the LA Times his office now receives daily calls from international students worried about leaving and reentering the country.“You kind of shake your head and say, ‘Is this the character of the country we want?'” said Oza. He emphasized the unpredictability of reentry, warning students to carry all relevant documents—immigration records, school transcripts, even court documents for dismissed charges.One student from the University of Illinois expressed panic about returning to the US after buying a ticket home to Asia. “Right now,” the student told the LA Times, “I’m afraid I might not be able to come back.”