Harvard joins colleges moving to self-fund some research to offset federal funding cuts
Share this @internewscast.com

WASHINGTON (AP) — Harvard University is allocating $250 million from its own resources to sustain research activities following a halt in federal funding by the Trump administration. However, the university’s president indicates that they will need to make “tough choices and sacrifices” moving forward.

This move makes Harvard part of a growing list of universities opting to finance their research internally to partially offset the financial losses from federal funding reductions.

Johns Hopkins University has begun offering grants up to $150,000 annually for faculty dealing with “unexpected interruptions in federal research funding.” Similarly, Northwestern University announced it would cover the costs for research projects that received stop-work notices from the government in April.

In a campus message Wednesday, Harvard President Alan Garber laid out a plan to maintain some research operations affected by the university’s loss of more than $2.6 billion in grants. Harvard has been fighting the government in court over the cuts.

Harvard’s plan will redirect $250 million as an initial stopgap for the coming year while officials explore other options, Garber wrote. He called it a transition period for critical research programs, noting the Ivy League school “cannot absorb the entire cost of the suspended or canceled federal funds.”

In light of the school’s financial challenges, Garber will take a voluntary 25% pay cut during the upcoming fiscal year, a Harvard spokesperson said. Garber’s current salary has not been made public, but Harvard presidents in the past have earned more than $1 million annually, the Harvard Crimson student newspaper reported.

The oldest and wealthiest university in the nation, Harvard has been hit hardest by the Trump administration’s use of federal funding cuts for political leverage. Harvard is the first school to openly defy the White House’s demands to overhaul campus policies around protests, admissions, hiring and more.

The Trump administration frames it as an effort to root out antisemitism on campus. In a series of escalating sanctions, the government has said Harvard is no longer eligible to receive new research grants until it negotiates an end to the impasse. Trump has said he wants to strip the university of its tax-exempt status.

Garber’s message did not indicate where it will pull the $250 million from.

Harvard has a $53 billion endowment and draws about 5% of its annual investment earnings to help cover campus operations. The school could increase that drawdown, but much of the endowment is made up of restricted funding that can only be used for purposes designated by donors. Last month, the school separately made plans to borrow $750 million.

To make up for the loss in federal funding, Education Secretary Linda McMahon this month suggested Harvard rely on “its colossal endowment” and raise money from wealthy alumni.

In his message, Garber said the sanctions have stopped lifesaving research and in some cases lost years of work. He said the university is committed to supporting its researchers.

“While there will undoubtedly be difficult decisions and sacrifices ahead, we know that, together, we will chart a path forward to sustain and advance Harvard’s vital research mission,” Garber wrote in his message.

The Trump administration’s pressure campaign is forcing budget cuts on some campuses. Columbia University said it will be laying off nearly 180 employees as a result of the federal government’s $400 million in cuts at the school.

Earlier Wednesday, dozens of higher education organizations issued a joint statement against the Trump administration’s attacks on prestigious universities, calling on the government to “reforge” its ties with academia.

The statement from more than 50 groups said the nation suffers when research grants are “held hostage for political reasons and without due process.” It said all Americans benefit from the technology and medical advances produced through the government’s partnership with colleges.

The groups implore the government to respect colleges’ autonomy over their campuses. The signers include the American Council on Education, which represents hundreds of university presidents.

___ Collin Binkley has covered Harvard for nearly a decade — most of the time living half a mile from its campus.

___

The Associated Press’ education coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP’s standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Texas lawmakers approve letting private citizens sue abortion pill providers

Texas Lawmakers Pass Bill Allowing Private Citizens to Sue Abortion Pill Providers

Texas legislators approved a measure on Wednesday that enables private citizens to…
Study disputes Gaza genocide charges, finds flawed data amid Hamas-driven narrative

Research Challenges Genocide Claims in Gaza, Highlights Inaccurate Data and Potential Biases from Hamas Narrative

“That indicates the zones were relatively safe, despite Hamas using them to…
Trump says he's considering sending national guard to New Orleans

Trump is thinking about deploying the National Guard to New Orleans.

Unlike other Democrat-run cities where Trump has suggested he may deploy troops…
3 new Chinese weapons highlighted at military parade watched by Putin, Kim

Putin and Kim observe showcase of 3 new Chinese weapons at military parade

China displayed new weapons Wednesday at a military parade marking the 80th…
Montana man charged with shooting four people at a bar pleads not guilty

Montana resident denies charges in bar shooting incident involving four victims

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — A Montana man accused of killing four individuals…
Trump’s strike on cartel vessel off Venezuela sends warning to Maduro: ‘No sanctuary’

Trump’s Action Against Cartel Ship near Venezuela Warns Maduro: ‘No Safe Haven’

This week, the U.S. Marines carried out an unprecedented attack on a…
20 years later: Survivors recall the storm that changed the gulf coast

Two Decades Later: Survivors Reflect on the Storm That Transformed the Gulf Coast

NEW ORLEANS — It’s been 20 years since Hurricane Katrina slammed the…
RFK Jr. set to testify before Senate Finance Committee amid CDC turmoil, vaccine changes

RFK Jr. to appear before Senate Finance Committee during CDC upheaval and vaccine updates

Following a week of rapid changes at the country’s health agency, Health…
Brunswick mother advocates for suicide barriers on bridge

Brunswick Mother Campaigns for Suicide Prevention Barriers on Local Bridge

Shannon Denbow hopes her advocacy keeps the issue at the forefront and…
Hurricane Lorena weakens as risk of flash floods and mudslides for Mexico's west coast remain

Hurricane Lorena Loses Strength, But Flash Flood and Mudslide Threat Continues on Mexico’s West Coast

MIAMI (AP) — Hurricane Lorena is losing strength and is expected to…
National Guard Chicago: Expanded ICE operations expected to start Saturday, Governor JB Pritzker says

Illinois National Guard to Support Increased ICE Activities in Chicago Starting Saturday, Governor JB Pritzker Announces

CHICAGO (WLS) — The countdown is on to a surge in immigration…
Patel says FBI stopped potential preschool massacre: 'Unacceptable acts of cowardice'

Patel Criticizes FBI’s Handling of Preschool Threat: Calls it ‘Unacceptable Cowardice’

FBI Director Kash Patel announced that agents had prevented a potential disaster…