Columbia University is laying off approximately 180 staff members following the Trump administration’s decision to revoke $400 million in federal grants, as reported by The New York Post.
The funding cut came after multiple federal agencies cited the university’s failure to protect Jewish students from persistent antisemitic harassment.
On Tuesday, acting Columbia University President Claire Shipman announced the staffing cuts in a statement, explaining that the affected employees were either partially or fully supported by the now-canceled grants.
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“Across the research portfolio we have had to make difficult choices and unfortunately, today, 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.”
Columbia initially disclosed in March that it had received formal notice from several federal agencies—including the Department of Justice (DOJ), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Department of Education (ED), and the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA)—informing the university of the decision to cancel federal support.
At the time, the university acknowledged the reasoning behind the action.
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“The federal agencies cite ‘the school’s continued inaction in the face of persistent harassment of Jewish students,’” Columbia said in a public statement.
“There is no question that the cancellation of these funds will immediately impact research and other critical functions of the University, impacting students, faculty, staff, research, and patient care.”
In response to the federal pressure, Columbia made several policy changes in April to comply with Trump administration demands.
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These included banning the use of masks to conceal identity during protests, expanding the authority of 36 campus police officers to allow for student arrests, and appointing a senior vice provost to oversee academic departments such as Middle East, South Asian and African Studies, along with the Center for Palestine Studies.
Despite these changes, Columbia is still working to restore the lost funding.
“Columbia’s leadership continues discussions with the federal government in support of resuming activity on these research awards and additional other awards that have remained active, but unpaid,” Shipman stated.
The university says financial challenges persist, particularly regarding uncertainties over future federal support and changes in reimbursement policies.
“Increasing budget constraints combined with uncertainty related to future levels of federal funding for research, including proposed reductions in facilities and administration (i.e., indirect costs) reimbursements, requires us to make difficult choices,” Shipman said.
“We have had to make deliberate, considered decisions about the allocation of our financial resources. Those decisions also impact our greatest resource, our people. We understand this news will be hard.”
The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Jury selection for related federal cases continues this week.
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