Columbia University Lays Off Nearly 180 Researchers After Federal Funding Cut.

By Caroline Ameh

Columbia University announced Tuesday that it will lay off nearly 180 researchers following a massive federal funding withdrawal by the Trump administration. The $400 million funding cut comes in response to the university’s handling of recent student protests against the war in Gaza.

In a statement released on Tuesday, Columbia’s acting president Claire Shipman said the layoffs are a direct result of the terminated grants, which funded a significant portion of the university’s research operations.

“Across the research portfolio, we have had to make difficult choices, and unfortunately, nearly 180 of our colleagues who have been working, in whole or in part, on impacted federal grants will receive notices of non-renewal or termination,” Shipman said. “This represents about 20% of the individuals who are funded in some manner by the terminated grants.”

According to the student-run Columbia Spectator, the funding cuts include $250 million from the National Institutes of Health, affecting more than 400 research projects. The university has not yet disclosed which departments or areas of research will be most affected.

The layoffs brings a setback for one of the country’s leading research institutions and have raised concerns in the academic community about the long-term impact of political decisions on scientific research.