Johns Hopkins University announced the elimination of over 2,000 jobs due to cuts in federal funding for international aid projects by the Trump administration. The cuts will impact programs such as HIV prevention in India and clinical trials for diarrheal disease in Bangladesh. The university, heavily reliant on federal research funding, stated that the loss of over $800 million in USAID funding is forcing them to scale back critical work.
The layoffs and furloughs at Johns Hopkins are part of a larger trend affecting universities nationwide, with other institutions like Harvard, University of Pennsylvania, and Notre Dame also implementing job cuts or hiring freezes. The Trump administration’s actions also included the cancelation of grants to Columbia University and the University of Maine for various reasons.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins expressed concerns about the impacts of these funding cuts, particularly on vulnerable communities and global health security. Programs like Accelerate, which provided HIV testing and treatment in India, are at risk of closure, potentially leading to increased HIV transmission and loss of lives. The termination of funding for research programs in infectious diseases could also put U.S. residents at greater risk.
Economically, the cuts will have ripple effects in Maryland, where Johns Hopkins is a major employer and contributor to the economy. Pending cuts in NIH payments to universities for research grants could further strain the university’s finances. Johns Hopkins has challenged the administration’s plan to cap indirect costs in court, which could result in a significant financial burden if implemented.
Photo credit
www.nbcnews.com
