Universities freeze hiring due to federal funding threats

Many U.S. universities are implementing hiring freezes due to financial uncertainty from potential federal funding cuts by the Trump administration. This follows significant reductions in National Institutes of Health grants, which could impact universities by over $100 million. Recent actions include the withdrawal of $400 million from Columbia University for not addressing antisemitism on campus. The Education Department warned 60 colleges they could lose federal funds if they do not ensure safety for Jewish students. Over a dozen institutions, including Harvard and MIT, have announced hiring limits. University leaders cite the need to preserve financial flexibility amid changing federal policies and potential disruptions to their finances.