University Statements

Dear Cornell community,

Recent media reports have suggested that over $1 billion in federal funding to Cornell has been frozen—including grants from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and reductions by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). These reports are troubling. To date, Cornell has received no official notice confirming these alleged cuts or any rationale behind them.

We are actively engaging with the Administration, federal agencies, and policymakers to clarify the situation, protect our research enterprise, and ensure that the facts are fully understood. University leaders across all campuses are tracking developments, assessing impact, and will keep our community informed.

As shared earlier, Cornell began receiving stop-work orders in February, including a major funding loss from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). This month alone, we received more than 90 additional stop-work orders, primarily from the Department of Defense, affecting vital research at Ithaca, Cornell Tech, and Weill Cornell Medicine, ranging from military innovation to cancer treatment to infectious disease prevention.

We are responding forcefully. That includes legal, strategic, and policy-level engagement to reverse these actions and prevent further disruption. Last week, Cornell joined peer institutions in challenging the Department of Energy’s proposed 15% cap on indirect cost recovery. The U.S. District Court in Massachusetts issued a Temporary Restraining Order halting the cap while litigation proceeds, with a hearing scheduled for April 28. This follows our successful challenge to the NIH’s prior attempt to reduce indirect cost reimbursements.

We know many of you are asking: “What can we do?” The answer is: stay focused. Keep advancing Cornell’s mission. This university’s legacy—more than 150 years of public service through education, discovery, and care—is built on resilience, excellence, and impact.

We will meet this moment, defend what matters, and emerge stronger—united in our purpose “to do the greatest good.”

Sincerely,

Michael I. Kotlikoff
President

Kavita Bala
Provost

Robert A. Harrington
Provost for Medical Affairs