Johns Hopkins lays off 2,000 employees after Trump's funding cut
What's the story
Johns Hopkins University, a top US institution in scientific research, has announced plans to lay off over 2,000 employees.
The decision comes after the Donald Trump administration made deep cuts in foreign aid funding.
The university said that the termination of more than $800 million in USAID funding is now forcing them to wind down critical work here and internationally.
Global impact
Job cuts impact projects worldwide
The job cuts will impact projects in 44 countries, with 1,975 positions eliminated globally and 247 jobs in the US.
The university's medical school and school of public health are among the affected programs.
Jhpiego, a global health non-profit organization founded at Johns Hopkins over 50 years ago, is also impacted by these layoffs.
University statement
Johns Hopkins's response to the funding cuts
In light of the funding cuts, Johns Hopkins said that they are proud of the work done by their colleagues in Jhpiego, Bloomberg School of Public Health, and School of Medicine.
The university stressed that it remains committed to caring for mothers and infants, fighting disease, providing clean drinking water, and advancing other critical life-saving efforts around the world, while acknowledging the challenges posed by these layoffs.
Research impact
Johns Hopkins's funding and ongoing clinical trials
Johns Hopkins University gets nearly $1 billion a year from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and is currently conducting 600 clinical trials. The university is also one of the plaintiffs in a federal lawsuit against such cuts.
The US Agency for International Development (USAID), Jhpiego's largest funding agency, distributes humanitarian aid globally with health and emergency programs in about 120 countries.
Legal action
Johns Hopkins University joins lawsuit against funding cuts
The university is also a part of a federal lawsuit challenging the funding cuts.
In February, 13 schools including Johns Hopkins had sued health agencies over a plan to severely cut how NIH support dollars for research are awarded.
The university stands to lose another $200 million if the cuts go through.
The NIH cuts are currently on hold while the legal challenge plays out.