Trump Cuts Funding: Harvard Public Health School Faces Layoffs – What It Means for Future Research

Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH) is facing tough times. Due to funding issues spurred by the Trump administration, the school is making significant cuts. The government has threatened to pull over $2 billion in federal funding. This move could hurt Harvard’s ability to enroll international students.

HSPH relies heavily on federal funds, making up 46% of its revenue in 2025. Recently, it faced multiple stop-work orders totaling more than $60 million. The school has started layoffs, mostly affecting staff and researchers tied to projects that have lost funding. HSPH spokesperson Stephanie Simon described the situation as a "significant budget crisis." She mentioned the school is working to identify priorities and implement sustainable budget cuts, but regrettably, this means layoffs will continue.

To shrink costs, HSPH is exiting two leased buildings. One is used for human resources, and the other hosts research labs and classrooms. Though no department-wide budget cuts have been enforced yet, departments are being asked to prepare for potential scenarios.

Last month, HSPH already took steps to tighten its budget, such as reducing admissions for certain Ph.D. programs and pausing the search for a dean of research. These moves highlight the financial pressures the school is under.

The situation is aggravated by political tension. Reports indicate that the IRS plans to revoke Harvard’s tax-exempt status, and the Department of Homeland Security has threatened to restrict enrollment for international students unless certain records are shared. International students make up about 40% of HSPH’s student body, making this a significant concern.

Overall, the financial squeeze at HSPH is a critical issue impacting education and research. The community is feeling the stress of these changes, and many are hopeful for a resolution.

For more details, you can read an authoritative report from CNN.

Source link