Trump vs. the Ivies: Austerity’s long shadow over elite education and science

Major US universities like Harvard, Columbia, Princeton, and Michigan State are facing deep financial strain due to federal research funding cuts under the Trump administration. Layoffs, budget reductions, and halted programs are affecting elite institutions, particularly those with strong DEI and research programs. With endowment taxes rising and NIH funding limits in effect since March 2025, experts warn of a lasting transformation in the structure and mission of higher education in the US.

Education