The nation’s largest universities serve the nation and the world by conducting cutting-edge research in medicine, agriculture, technology and other areas. These universities also attract many of the best scholars from around the world. Smaller institutions, such as regional universities and community colleges, also perform research, much of it targeting specific local or regional needs. Several new developments are causing uncertainties with respect to research, leading institutions to pull back on the continued employment of faculty and staff in research fields.
Universities must navigate a complex web of laws, regulations, Executive Orders, Proclamations, court decisions and political issues relating to research. Here are a few areas in play right now:
1. Student visas
The U.S. has for decades served as a convenor of the brightest minds from around the world, both for undergraduate and graduate study. A recent pause in visa appointments has slowed the process of confirming international students for fall of 2025. And the Administration has attempted to block Harvard entirely from admitting students from abroad. So far, Harvard has received two temporary restraining orders, but it is seeking a permanent injunction of the directive.
In addition to the targeting of Harvard, other institutions are dealing with the implications of the travel ban, that will prevent students from several countries from studying in the U.S. While those students may look to other countries, some other countries such as the U.K. or Canada either have or are considering a cap on the number of student visas awarded.
For foreign students already in the U.S. who planned to return to their home countries over the summer to work, many are now afraid to go home while in college. Their ability to return to the U.S. to complete their studies may be in jeopardy. Some universities are using donor funds and foundation funds to help support students stranded in the U.S. while completing their degrees.
2. Funding cancellation or reduction
Harvard and certain other Ivy League universities have been targeted specifically for allowing an antisemitic environment[2] on campus and for support of DEI programs and policies. The withdrawal of federal research funds for Harvard has resulted in the interruption of research like Dr. Bob Datta’s Alzheimer’s research, various cancer research studies and studies into Parkinson’s Disease. Around 350 grants to Harvard to conduct medical research were terminated by the Administration.
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Recently, Reagan appointee Judge William G. Young of the United States District Court for Massachusetts considered whether the cancellations of the many research grants to Harvard and other universities were handled properly. Many grants were multi-year awards or were cancelled in the middle of the project year. The case was brought by the Attorneys General of 16 blue states against the Secretary of Health & Human Services, NIH and other federal agencies that abruptly cancelled research funding. The States argued that the terminations violate the Administrative Procedures Act, the separation of powers, the Constitution’s Spending Clause and are beyond the power of the Executive Branch.
Judge Young’s Memorandum and Order on Subject Matter Jurisdiction[3] includes the following statement: “[T]aking all inferences in the States’ favor, it is an action to stop the Public Officials from violating the statutory grant-making architecture created by Congress, replacing Congress’ mandate with new policies that directly contradict that mandate, and exercising authority arbitrarily and capriciously, in violation of federal law and the Constitution.”
The litigation regarding cancellation of grant funding will continue. We can also expect to see pressure on Congress to reduce federally funded research in some areas and to certain institutions.
3. The faculty pipeline
Just a few weeks ago in my social media feed, I received an advertisement encouraging me to move to Denmark to conduct research. Many European countries are actively recruiting American researchers, particularly in the sciences. Surveys indicate that some American researchers are considering moving abroad. A recent poll by Nature found that 75% of respondents are interested in a move and the NatureCareers jobs board[4] saw a marked increase in applications for European research jobs compared to last year.[5]
The travel ban and the reduction in research funding might also harm the domestic pipeline to produce strong faculty for American universities. Many graduate students from abroad stay and teach at American universities and, often, their studies are supported through their work in research labs that receive federal funding.
4. Limitations on types of research or research practices
President Trump issued an Executive Order entitled “Improving the Safety and Security of Biological Research” on May 5, 2025. Specifically, this EO targets gain-of-function research, which involves genetically altering an organism in ways that will be of use in agriculture, medicine and other areas. The EO notes the need for strong protocols to be in place to prevent the development of biological threats. Among the impacts of this EO is the termination of gain-of-function research supported by the U.S. in countries of concern.
There are also likely to be gain-of-function rules developed that relate to non-federally funded research. Expect to see updates to policies regarding the oversight of research that deals with pathogens, particularly those with the potential to cause a pandemic. The EO will also result in new oversight of procurement of synthetic nucleic acid, which is used in connection with CRISPR-Cas9 (gene editing) technology.
The regulations relating to these fields will be shifting in the months to come. Universities, especially those with collaborations with universities from other countries, will need to keep up with the changing landscape as it relates to biologic research.
Another impact on the publication of research results will be coming based on an Executive Order dated May 23, 2025, entitled “Restoring Gold Standard Science.” The EO notes that there have been recent instances of leading researchers falsifying data, leading to retractions of research that may have been federally funded. The EO encourages using realistic rather than worst-case assumptions and encourages researchers to note the limitations of their research. Agencies will work to update their policies regarding research to incorporate the guidance provided in the EO.
Conclusion
Decreased foreign talent coming to the U.S., possible cancellation of research funding, talent voting with their feet, and changes to how research is conducted may significantly shift the amount of research conducted in this country. Senior leaders and researchers will need to watch for additional developments in the future in these areas. For the good of the country and the world, we can all hope that research in crucial areas will continue.
[2] Harvard’s President convened two task forces. The final report of the Presidential Task Force on Combating Antisemitism and Anti-Israeli Bias and the final report of the Presidential Task Force on Combating Anti-Muslim, Anti- Arab, and Anti-Palestinian Bias were both issued on April 29, 2025.
[3] Judge William G. Young: ORDER entered. MEMORANDUM AND ORDER ON SUBJECT MATTER JURISDICTION (Sonnenberg, Elizabeth) (May 12, 2025).
[4] Nature Careers | Science jobs | Choose from 837 live vacancies (accessed on June 20, 2025).
[5] Nature, “Some US researchers want to leave the country. Can Europe take them?” (June 13, 2025).
