MIT president says research has shrunk 10 percent in 1 year amid Trump cuts

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) reported a 10 percent reduction in research activity over the past year, citing cuts by the Trump administration as the primary cause. MIT President Sally Kornbluth highlighted the decline in a video message, calling it a significant loss for one of the world’s most influential research institutions. The university rejected the Trump administration’s ‘Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education’ last year, which proposed limiting foreign student enrollment to 15 percent and freezing tuition rates, among other changes. Most funding cuts were blocked in court, but MIT faces financial strain from a new 8 percent tax on endowment net investment gains, up from 1.4 percent. The university’s $27.4 billion endowment now incurs millions in annual losses due to this policy. Kornbluth also noted a 20 percent decrease in graduate-level enrollment, attributing it to policy changes discouraging international talent. The administration’s restrictions on international students and scholars have reduced applications from highly skilled individuals, Kornbluth said. MIT is engaging with lawmakers to address these challenges and restore research momentum. She warned that shrinking research pipelines could hinder future innovations, cures, and scientific progress. Despite the setbacks, Kornbluth emphasized MIT’s resilience, citing the campus’s enduring spirit of creativity and determination. The university is adapting to these challenges while continuing its mission of discovery and education.