Higher Ed Policy and Budget Announcements

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The US is quitting 66 global agencies: what does it mean for science?

Jan 20, 2026 - The United States is leaving some of the world’s oldest and most influential scientific networks involved in biodiversity research, climate science and conservation.

The US is quitting 66 global agencies: what does it mean for science?

US Congress set to reject Trump’s sweeping science budget cuts

Jan 20, 2026 - Lawmakers announce legislation that would actually increase funding for basic research by more than 2%.

US Congress set to reject Trump’s sweeping science budget cuts

US science after a year of Trump: what has been lost and what remains

Jan 20, 2026 - A series of graphics reveals how the Trump administration has sought historic cuts to science and the research workforce.

US science after a year of Trump: what has been lost and what remains

Trump 2.0’s impact on higher ed: The first year in 8 numbers

Jan 20, 2026 - A chaotic 2025 brought dozens of federal college probes, thousands of revoked international student visas, and billions in threatened research funding.

Trump 2.0’s impact on higher ed: The first year in 8 numbers

Trump's admissions data collection strains college administrators

Jan 19, 2026 - Universities must report student demographics, grades and test scores by March 18

Trump's admissions data collection strains college administrators

Purdue blocks admission of many Chinese grad students in unwritten policy

Jan 16, 2026 - Faculty members say university is overreacting to pressure from the Trump administration and Congress

Purdue blocks admission of many Chinese grad students in unwritten policy

U.S. Freezes Visas to 75 Countries

Jan 14, 2026 - Read the leaked diplomatic cable

U.S. Freezes Visas to 75 Countries

Trump administration reverses course on $1.9 billion in cuts to addiction and mental health grants

Jan 14, 2026 - The Trump administration reversed a decision to cancel addiction and mental health grants

Trump administration reverses course on $1.9 billion in cuts to addiction and mental health grants

Pentagon rolls out major reforms of R&D, AI - Breaking Defense

Jan 13, 2026 - Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth consolidates tech offices under Pentagon CTO Emil Michael, launches new AI initiatives from swarms to sims to GenAI, and breaks up the sprawling Advana database.

Pentagon rolls out major reforms of R&D, AI - Breaking Defense

Senate advances bills rejecting Trump’s efforts to slash research funding

Jan 13, 2026 - The White House sought cuts of 40% or more at some agencies, but lawmakers from both parties are pushing to hold science spending relatively steady.

Senate advances bills rejecting Trump’s efforts to slash research funding

How many graduate borrowers will be impacted by the looming lending limits?

Jan 9, 2025 - A new analysis finds that roughly 28% of graduate borrowers in recent years have borrowed above the new caps taking effect in July.

How many graduate borrowers will be impacted by the looming lending limits?

6 higher education trends to watch in 2026

Jan 8, 2026 - With a new year comes new enrollment challenges, shifting federal policies and increased pressure on college leaders to stand up for their institutions.

6 higher education trends to watch in 2026

Oregon public universities consider controversial moves to achieve financial stability

Jan 7, 2025 - A university spending efficiency report concludes that to serve students and thrive financially, Oregon’s public universities must break from the status quo.

Oregon public universities consider controversial moves to achieve financial stability

Government abandons RIFs impacting Education Department employees during shutdown

Jan 7, 2026 - A timeline tracing the Trump administration's efforts to slash half of the U.S. Department of Education's workforce.

Government abandons RIFs impacting Education Department employees during shutdown

Charting a course for the National Academies and the nation we serve

Jan 6, 2026 - Charting a course for the National Academies and the nation we serve.

Charting a course for the National Academies and the nation we serve

NIH cap on indirect research costs struck down on appeal

Jan 6, 2025 - The agency announced a 15% across-the-board limit on overhead reimbursement in February, which judges so far have concluded was illegal.

NIH cap on indirect research costs struck down on appeal

Florida bill would ban public colleges from admitting undocumented students

Jan 5, 2026 - Undocumented immigrants in Florida won't be able to attend public universities if a sweeping new education bill passes the state legislature.

Florida bill would ban public colleges from admitting undocumented students

What’s in NIH’s settlement over delayed research funding?

Jan 5, 2026 - Over 5,000 grants from across the country are covered by the settlement, according to the Massachusetts attorney general’s office.

What’s in NIH’s settlement over delayed research funding?

Will higher education researchers leave for opportunities abroad?

Jan 5, 2026 - As the Trump administration cuts funding to wide swaths of research, foreign countries are ramping up their efforts to recruit top U.S. talent.

Will higher education researchers leave for opportunities abroad?

How the University of Maine is planning its future while dealing with an $18 million budget deficit

Jan 3, 2026 - The state's flagship university is undergoing a major strategic planning process intended to respond to today's challenges in higher ed, from revenue struggles to academic shifts.

How the University of Maine is planning its future while dealing with an $18 million budget deficit

Duke University cut $299 million through buyouts, building closures in response to federal cuts

Dec 29, 2025 - After the Trump administration mandated that universities cut diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, limit international student enrollment and decrease their reliance on federally funded research, Duke University has spent the year finding $299 million in savings.

Duke University cut $299 million through buyouts, building closures in response to federal cuts

Diversity visa program suspension over Brown shooter could put thousands of applicants in limbo

Dec 19, 2025 - Neves Valente, 48, was found dead Thursday evening from a self-inflicted gunshot wound in New Hampshire after a days-long manhunt.

Diversity visa program suspension over Brown shooter could put thousands of applicants in limbo

Trump administration appeals ruling in Harvard University case

Dec 19, 2025 - The federal government seeks to overturn a decision against its previous roughly $2.2 billion freeze on Harvard University's research funding.

Trump administration appeals ruling in Harvard University case

Trump administration checks off many Project 2025 education goals

Dec 18, 2025 - Last year, Project 2025 was a conservative wish list. Months later, many of those wishes have become reality, including the goal of doing away with the Education Department.

Trump administration checks off many Project 2025 education goals

UNC cuts all six area studies research centers, effective 2026

Dec 17, 2025 - The Center for European Studies, the African Studies Center, the Carolina Asia Center, the Center for Middle East and Islamic Studies, the Institute for the Study of the Americas and the Center for Slavic, Eurasian and East European Studies are all slated to close, according to the impacted sources. These centers are the first of 14 total UNC centers and institutes to be cut.

UNC cuts all six area studies research centers, effective 2026

DePaul University cuts nearly 8% of staff

Dec 16, 2025 - The Catholic institution is trying to plug an unplanned budget shortfall after a sharp decline of international students and other financial woes.

DePaul University cuts nearly 8% of staff

Gov. Newsom Taps Universities for State AI Council

Dec 16, 2025 - A 30-member California Innovation Council will include executives and leaders from the UC system, the Brookings Institute, Stanford University and the California Chamber of Commerce, among others.

Gov. Newsom Taps Universities for State AI Council

Texas universities deploy AI for course audits

Dec 15, 2025 - Records obtained by The Texas Tribune show how universities are using the technology to reshape curriculum under political pressure, raising concerns about academic freedom.

Texas universities deploy AI for course audits

NSF pares down grant-review process, reducing influence of outside scientists

Dec 15, 2025 - Memo cites overburdened staff, but some say move also aims to elevate White House priorities

NSF pares down grant-review process, reducing influence of outside scientists

What’s at stake as the Trump administration targets Harvard’s patents?

Dec 15, 2025 - Legal experts are watching whether the federal government will take the unprecedented step of seizing patents from federally funded research.

What’s at stake as the Trump administration targets Harvard’s patents?