Threats to Cornell research:
What is happening and how you can help

Dear Cornellians,

Today, across all of our campuses, Cornell scientists are developing new technologies, finding better ways to treat and cure diseases, and continually expanding our understanding of life, on earth and beyond. The real-world impact of this work is incalculable. It strengthens our national security, protects the safety and stability of our food supply, and ensures the progress and resilience of our nation.

For decades, federal agencies have relied on Cornell and other research universities to perform the highly specialized research and development work that improves and enhances our lives. This partnership has been critical to advancing and maintaining America’s economic, political, and military strength in the postwar era. Now, recent federal actions and funding freezes have imperiled that partnership—and the work on which so much of our national wellbeing and strength depend.

The impact of this funding freeze is immediate and devastating. Grants that support research to prevent midair airplane collisions, find new treatments for drug-resistant prostate cancer, develop new materials for jet fighter wings, and build a miniature heart-assist pump for infants with life-threatening congenital heart disease have all been halted.

To date, federal agencies have stopped work on or terminated more than 100 research projects at Cornell, abruptly ending ongoing research grants with no official notice of their future status. Media reports have suggested that more than $1 billion in federal funding to Cornell will be suspended.

While the university is doing what it can to protect the infrastructure of our research enterprise, finding stopgap ways to pay research faculty and staff and cover the expenses of running their labs, the financial loss is not sustainable.  Every campus, every college, and every school at Cornell has been impacted.

How Cornell is responding

We are working thoughtfully and strategically to defend Cornell’s work in two ways: through communicating our case, and through legal action. Last week I was again in Washington to tell Cornell’s story to lawmakers and policy advisors—both our supporters and our critics—and demonstrate the value of federally-sponsored research. At the same time, we are also mounting legal challenges where possible to protect Cornell science and scientists:

• Cornell is one of only three universities who have agreed to serve as plaintiff in support of all three of the American Association of Universities’ suits to halt the arbitrary reduction of research operating costs for competitively awarded funding.
• In April, I joined more than 200 other university presidents in signing the American Association of Colleges and Universities’ “Call for Constructive Engagement,” which expresses openness to reform while opposing government overreach.
• Discussions continue with colleagues at peer institutions who have been similarly affected by funding pauses.

However, we must take action now to preserve our core educational functions in the light of significant financial uncertainty. To that end, we have implemented a hiring pause and university-wide spending reductions as we assess the short- and long-term impact of federal actions.  We will not allow this serious situation to diminish our commitment to Cornell’s students, our research mission, or our founding principles.

Three ways you can help

I have been enormously heartened by the many alumni who have written to express their support and ask how they can help. Your voice and your commitment are tremendously important, and mean a great deal as we work to raise awareness of the impact of Cornell’s work.

1. Advocate within your network
   • Bookmark Cornell’s executive orders website (NetID login required) and University Statements webpage to stay informed about the federal issues and Cornell’s efforts.
   • Follow the university’s research impact page and social media, and share the stories and information with others.
   • Communicate on social media about the positive impact of your Cornell education and your support for research universities.
   • Encourage other Cornellians to advocate in ways that are meaningful to them.
2. Advocate with your government representatives
   • Call or write your congressional representatives to voice your support for protecting university research. Tell House members and senators about the positive contributions of higher education, specifically through Cornell. Wherever you can, personalize your message. Phone calls are more effective than email, but both are worthwhile.
   • If you live in New York state, the governor’s office wants to hear about Cornell’s positive contributions to your community, industry, and the state. Write and call your elected officials in Albany.
   • If you work in an industry that depends on talent or technology from Cornell or other leading universities, explore ways for your sector or employer to advocate for the value of Cornell and other research institutions.
3. Give to cover immediate needs
   The profound uncertainty of this moment requires Cornell to be extraordinarily focused and nimble. Gifts of any size will help cover immediate needs and core commitments in this unpredictable environment. Please consider any of the following:
   • Support research
     The Provost’s Research Resiliency Fund helps protect the work of researchers whose projects are disrupted by federal funding cuts or freezes. Your donation covers critical research expenses, bridging gaps and enabling scientists to continue their groundbreaking work.
   • Protect our “any person” commitment
     Cornell’s financial aid programs ensure that a Cornell education remains accessible and affordable in a time of rising economic uncertainty. Gifts to student scholarships provide relief to students with financial need.
   • Invest in areas you care about
     Annual fund gifts go directly to areas of immediate need. With twenty times the current spending power of gifts to endowment, every dollar works hard to support Cornell’s mission and priorities in each college and unit at the university.

Cornell’s strength, as always, lies in the strength of our exceptional community: our students, faculty, staff, and especially our alumni, who carry Cornell’s mission out into the world. I am grateful to all of you, and have no doubt that together, we will rise to meet this moment.

With thanks and deep appreciation,

Michael I. Kotlikoff
President