March 20, 2025
Dear colleagues:
I know many of you joined us for the March 14 Woodruff Health Sciences town hall. Thank you for your engagement! We had more than 660 participants in the discussion with university leaders, which included an update on the work our government affairs team has been doing at the state and federal level and updates about research grants. During the town hall and in subsequent meetings, I have received many questions and have heard your concerns. Below, I address a few of the more frequently asked questions, understanding that I don’t have answers to all your questions.
Given that current financial pressures are around research funding, are the financial mitigation measures focused mainly within the School of Medicine, or are they happening university-wide?
I can assure you that we are all in this together. In addition to the ongoing impacts to research, proposed regulations and legislation could significantly affect other revenue sources, including a possible increase in the federal tax on university endowments. The mitigation strategies announced by President Fenves on March 5 apply across the university and will prepare us for what may be a significant disruption to our finances.
These mitigation strategies include staff hiring freezes, limitations on faculty hiring, a freeze on compensation adjustments, and significant reductions in operating expenditures. We want to be clear that grant-funded positions and full-time clinical positions are prioritized. Our leadership team is working hard with department administrative leaders on reviewing all exception requests for staff and faculty hiring, and departments have been issued revised budget targets for the remainder of FY25 and for FY26. Our dean’s office budget is subject to the same prioritization decisions and non-essential spending reductions that we are asking our departments and units to make.
What are the long-term plans for our research portfolio?
While we are currently focused on FY25 and FY26, long-term opportunities and plans are being discussed across the university. As you know, the long-term implications of recent federal directives remain unclear, and we will be able to plan more effectively as we learn more.
Our focus on short-term mitigation measures will position us to more effectively meet future challenges while also meeting our commitment to supporting our current faculty, staff, and learners.
How can our community help?
If you are an externally funded researcher, please continue doing your research and allocating allowable costs as budgeted. Please also keep in mind the processes for responding to an inquiry from the NIH or another federal agency as well as the appeals process. Review the details in my March 11 message, which also covers communication guidelines and steps to take if you are involved in advocacy.
As I mentioned in the town hall, I know it can be difficult to remain focused on our day-to-day work during times of uncertainty. Thank you for your agility, and increasingly, your ability to adapt and pivot. I am grateful to each and every one of you for continuing to carry out our tripartite mission, and for continuing to support each other.
Sandra
Sandra L. Wong, MD, MS
Dean, Emory School of Medicine
Chief Academic Officer, Emory Healthcare
