In 2019, Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore announced plans to cut over 2,000 jobs in response to the withdrawal of federal funding by President Donald Trump’s administration. The funding cuts affected international aid projects, such as a program in India to prevent HIV transmission and a clinical trial for diarrheal disease in Bangladesh. The prestigious research institution stated that 1,975 jobs would be eliminated globally, along with 247 in the United States, due to reductions in funding from the U.S. Agency for International Development. Additionally, 78 U.S.-based and 29 international employees would be furloughed.
The university expressed regret over the situation, emphasizing the impact of losing over $800 million in USAID funding on critical work both domestically and internationally. Researchers leading affected programs warned of increased risks of dangerous outbreaks and anticipated economic repercussions in Baltimore, where Johns Hopkins is the largest private employer in Maryland. About half of the university’s funding came from federal research dollars in the previous year.
Johns Hopkins is among several universities nationwide facing layoffs and hiring freezes in response to significant cuts to research and higher education under the Trump administration. Other institutions, such as Harvard University, the University of Pennsylvania, and Notre Dame University, have halted faculty hiring. The administration also terminated grants to Columbia University and the University of Maine for various reasons, in line with its efforts to scrutinize diversity, equity, and inclusion programs at over 50 universities.
The White House defended the actions as part of streamlining federal agencies and reallocating funds to scientific research. The administration emphasized its commitment to policies that prioritize public health and align with the mandate received from voters. Researchers at Johns Hopkins raised concerns about the consequences of the USAID cuts on the communities they serve, particularly in terms of HIV prevention and treatment efforts in India led by Dr. Sunil Solomon.
Dr. Solomon highlighted the significant impact of the Accelerate program in India, providing HIV testing for thousands of individuals and improving treatment for children with HIV. The program was set to receive substantial USAID funding until 2026, but its closure would result in increased HIV transmission, inadequate care for affected children, and fewer diagnoses. Researchers and community members expressed fears about the loss of life-saving programs and the global implications of the funding cuts.
Solomon expressed concern about the impact of cutting AID awards, emphasizing that the effects may not be immediate but could manifest in six months when children stop taking medication, leading to a weakened immune system and increased susceptibility to infections. The potential cuts to Accelerate would result in the layoffs of approximately 600 individuals, including Johns Hopkins staff in the U.S. and India, as well as subcontractors in India. Dr. Judd Walson, a physician specializing in infectious diseases and the chair of the department of international health at Johns Hopkins, highlighted the closure or reduction of various programs, such as a tuberculosis research initiative and a cholera prevention clinical trial in Bangladesh. These changes have disrupted ongoing projects and could elevate the risk of infectious diseases for U.S. residents. Walson underscored the importance of USAID funding in monitoring global health trends and emphasized the potential repercussions of terminating these programs on global health security. Additionally, the economic impact of these cuts in Baltimore could be significant, as Johns Hopkins is a major contributor to the state’s economy, employing thousands of individuals and generating billions in wages and economic activity. Furthermore, the university faces additional threats from proposed Trump administration cuts to NIH payments for research grants, which could pose financial challenges by limiting indirect costs coverage. Johns Hopkins has taken legal action to challenge these policies, highlighting the potential financial strain on the university if the cuts were to be implemented.
