Stanford University announced on Tuesday that it has laid off 363 employees, attributing the decision to mounting budget pressures tied to federal education funding policies under President Donald Trump.
These layoffs, affecting nearly 2% of the university’s 13,000 non-teaching staff, will take effect between September 30 and November 1.
he affected roles span a wide range of departments—including administration, research, IT, student services, alumni relations, and campus operations .
Stanford leaders cited several key drivers behind the cuts: a $140 million reduction in general funds for the 2025–26 academic year, rising operational costs, and sweeping federal policy shifts.
Among those policies is the “Big Beautiful Bill,” which raised the university endowment tax from 1.4% to 8%, resulting in an estimated $750 million annual financial hit.
Added to the strain are delays and reductions in research funding from agencies like the NIH and NSF .
In internal communications, President Jonathan Levin and Provost Jenny Martinez mentioned the university’s efforts to protect core priorities—such as undergraduate financial aid and doctoral student support—as they navigate a volatile financial landscape.
Laid-off staff will receive three months of health insurance and career transition services; however, details of severance packages were not disclosed .
These developments reflect the broader impact of federal actions on the U.S. higher education sector, with multiple universities facing similar financial challenges and scrutiny over campus policies tied to federal funding decisions.