Columbia University has announced the layoff of nearly 180 staff members, approximately 20% of employees funded by terminated federal grants, following the Trump administration’s decision to cancel $400 million in federal funding. The university’s acting President, Claire Shipman, cited “difficult choices” and “increasing budget constraints” as reasons for the cuts, which will impact various research projects and critical functions.
The funding cancellation stems from the Trump administration’s concerns over the university’s handling of antisemitic harassment on campus, particularly during protests related to the Israel-Hamas war. In an effort to restore funding, Columbia University agreed to implement reforms, including banning masks to conceal identity, empowering campus police, and overseeing the Middle Eastern studies department. Despite these efforts, the university’s leadership continues to discuss resuming activity on research awards with the federal government.
The layoffs will affect research projects ranging from antiviral nasal spray development to studies on maternal mortality and morbidity. Faculty members have expressed concerns about the long-term damage to research momentum and the potential loss of talent. Marcel Agueros, secretary of Columbia’s chapter of the American Association of University Professors, noted that restoring funding won’t immediately reverse the damage, as research momentum takes years to rebuild.
