2 Maryland universities seek to join Harvard's lawsuit against the Trump administration over federal funding
Two Maryland universities are trying to join 16 others in backing Harvard University's legal battle with the Trump administration over federal funding cuts.
Johns Hopkins University and the University of Maryland both filed a brief on June 6, arguing that the funding cuts will disrupt ongoing research.
This comes after the administration has cut federal funding for dozens of schools and institutions. So far, the brief is unopposed.
Johns Hopkins University loses research funding
Johns Hopkins has made adjustments after losing millions in federal funding.
In April, the university said it lost more than $800 million from USAID grant terminations. Since January, Hopkins said 90 grants have ended with the loss of $50 million in federal research funding.
This led the university to lay off more than 2,200 workers globally, implement a hiring freeze, and pause annual pay increases.
The university said it would also reduce the number of research projects and cut back on spending in certain areas.
University of Maryland faces cuts
At the University of Maryland, College Park, more than 40 research grants and contracts worth about $12 million were canceled due to federal cuts targeting diversity, equity, and inclusion programs.
The University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) laid off 30 full-time staff and eliminated 30 vacant positions after cuts to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and other research funding.
UMB also announced a "modest salary reduction" that they said would impact about 1,000 employees, including university leadership, primarily at the medical school.
In response to the cuts, the University System of Maryland voted to authorize potential furloughs and temporary salary reductions for university employees.
Harvard's legal battle
In April, the Trump administration froze $2.2 billion in grant funding after Harvard University refused to comply with President Trump's list of demands that followed an investigation into the school's handling of alleged antisemitism during pro-Palestinian protests in 2024.
Harvard is one of 60 universities nationwide being investigated.
