Harvard, MIT in hiring freeze: Are federal funding cuts to blame?
===============

 for important updates to our privacy policy.

Harvard University

Add Topic

Harvard University cited "rapidly shifting federal policies" in its announcement Monday, but didn't elaborate on what it meant.

Harvard University implemented a temporary hiring freeze, citing "substantial financial uncertainties driven by rapidly shifting federal policies."

The announcement on Monday came days after President Donald Trump threatened to cut federal funding for schools that allow "illegal" protests. The Trump administration pulled $400 million in funding from Columbia University on Friday.

More: 

## Why is Harvard in a hiring freeze?

While Harvard's announcement did not explicitly mention Trump's proposed funding cuts, it did cite "rapidly shifting federal policies."

"It is meant to preserve our financial flexibility until we better understand how changes in federal policy will take shape and can assess the scale of their impact," the statement said.

Harvard is one of 10 universities set to be visited by a Justice Department task force, which comes as pro-Palestinian students have held demonstrations protesting the bombardment of Gaza in the Israel-Hamas war.

## How much federal funding does Harvard get?

Harvard received $686 million in federal funding during fiscal year 2024, according to the .

Federal funding for universities is typically used for federal student aid programs and research and development initiatives, according to .

## What is the point of a hiring freeze?

A hiring freeze is when a company stops hiring new employees or creating new positions to be filled, according to the .

It is typically implemented when a company needs to limit operating costs and wants to avoid laying off employees.

Melina Khan is a trending reporter for the USA TODAY Network - New England, which serves more than a dozen affiliated publications across New England. She can be reached at .

### Featured Weekly Ad

### Keep on reading

#### Gene Hackman's dog's cause of death released: Reports

Officials have released a report on the death of Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa's Australian Kelpie mix, Zinna, who was found in a crate near Arakawa.



#### Haggerty's 40-burger, Dainja's shoulder and setting up the Tulane game

PJ Haggerty went off Friday at the AAC tournament, Dain Dainja "got a little banged up" and Memphis basketball gets Tulane in the semifinals.



#### The Donald J. Trump Highway just crashed

When it comes to bootlicking, Arizona leaders really need to up their game.



#### JD Vance addresses cousin's 'idiots' criticism of him, Donald Trump

Vice President JD Vance calmly responds to his cousin, Nate Vance, after he called Donald Trump and the VP “Vladimir Putin’s useful idiots.”



### Recommended Stories

  
**USA TODAY**  
Gene Hackman's dog's cause of death released: Reports

  
**USA TODAY**  
Haggerty's 40-burger, Dainja's shoulder and setting up the Tulane game

  
**USA TODAY**  
The Donald J. Trump Highway just crashed

#### Gene Hackman's dog's cause of death released: Reports

Officials have released a report on the death of Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa's Australian Kelpie mix, Zinna, who was found in a crate near Arakawa.



#### Haggerty's 40-burger, Dainja's shoulder and setting up the Tulane game

PJ Haggerty went off Friday at the AAC tournament, Dain Dainja "got a little banged up" and Memphis basketball gets Tulane in the semifinals.



#### The Donald J. Trump Highway just crashed

When it comes to bootlicking, Arizona leaders really need to up their game.



### Recommended Links

  
**USA TODAY**  
When it comes to bootlicking, Arizona leaders really need to up their game.

  
Gene Hackman's dog's cause of death released: Reports  
USA TODAY

  
**USA TODAY**  
Haggerty's 40-burger, Dainja's shoulder and setting up the Tulane game

### Header

#### About

- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 

#### Support

- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 

#### Stay Connected

- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 

#### Our Portfolio

- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 

© 2025 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Satellite Information Network, LLC.

### Footer

#### Navigation

- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 

#### Cookies

By continuing to use this site, you agree to our  and .

#### Privacy Notice

Please read our  for your privacy rights.

#### Legal

- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 

#### Advertisers

- 
- 
- 
- 
- 

#### Ad Formats

- 
- 
- 

#### Legal Disclaimers

- 
- 
- 
- 

#### Advertise With Us

- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
```