Posted on 06/03/25
| News Source: WBAL TV
Baltimore, MD - June 3, 2025 - Johns Hopkins University is feeling the effects of major federal funding cuts as it paused pay hikes, instituted a hiring freeze and is slowing construction.
The impact is far-reaching.
Hopkins has its hands in everything from community safety grants to job training. There's concern more cuts are coming.
"It's fair to say that a strong Hopkins equals a strong community, and vice versa," said Alicia Wilson, vice president for community engagement and opportunity. "A strong community equals a strong Hopkins. It's a bilateral beneficial relationship. We really do care about what's happening. We are all in this together."
Wilson said the university's commitment to the community is deep and widespread.
"From violence prevention to health care. In many ways, we are problem solvers, but we are also an educator and healer, and really care about this community," Wilson said.
Federal funding cuts are now impacting the timeline of construction projects and potentially jobs. Johns Hopkins is considering cutting capital projects by as much as 20%.
In a letter to the community, university officials wrote that cuts in federal funding are forcing a hiring freeze and a pause in pay increases.
The university has already lost more than $800 million in U.S. Agency for International Development grants.
"Since January, we have had 90 grants terminated by other agencies, resulting in the loss of more than $50 million in federal research funding, with more terminations arriving nearly every week," the letter read.