Columbia University has announced the layoff of approximately 180 staff members, following the Trump administration’s cancellation of $400 million in federal grants and contracts in March 2025. The funding was revoked due to the university’s alleged failure to address antisemitic harassment against Jewish students on its New York City campus.
The affected staff, primarily researchers in healthcare and scientific fields, represent about 20% of those funded by the rescinded grants. The loss of funding has significantly strained Columbia’s research operations and financial stability.
In response to federal demands, Columbia has implemented several measures, including banning identity-concealing masks during protests, enhancing campus security, and appointing a senior vice provost to oversee Middle East studies programs. Despite these actions, the federal funding has not yet been restored.
The situation at Columbia is part of a broader initiative by the Trump administration to address antisemitism on college campuses, with similar actions taken against other institutions like Harvard University.
Columbia’s leadership has expressed a commitment to continue negotiations with the federal government to restore funding and stabilize the university’s operations.
