Duke University Plans Employee Buyouts Amid Federal Funding Cuts

Duke University has announced a voluntary separation program for employees and a hiring freeze as it seeks to cut costs by $350 million, or about 10% of its total expenses, in response to threatened federal funding reductions from the Trump administration. The buyouts are intended to reduce the number of involuntary layoffs anticipated later in the summer. University officials cited the need to realign operations and reduce expenses due to significant uncertainty around federal grants, which comprise a large portion of Duke’s research funding. Additional measures include suspending capital expenditures, reviewing administrative programs, and potentially adjusting employee benefits. The program is set to roll out in early May, with eligibility determined by department leadership and impacted employees given 45 days to respond. These steps underscore broader concerns about the future of federally funded research and the financial stability of research-driven universities.