Harvard University is significantly reducing its Ph.D. admissions for the next two years due to financial pressure, including endowment tax increases and operating losses. The Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS) is cutting admission slots by over 75% for the Science division and about 60% for Arts & Humanities. Cuts in Social Sciences are expected to be between 50–70%.
Details of the cuts
Science Division: More than 75% reduction in Ph.D. admission slots.
Arts & Humanities: Around 60% reduction in Ph.D. admission slots.
Social Sciences: Estimated to be reduced by 50–70%.
Specific departments: Some departments, like German, may have no Ph.D. seats at all, while others, like History, will see significant decreases.
Reasons for the cuts
Financial pressure: Harvard's Faculty of Arts and Sciences cites financial pressure as the primary reason.
Endowment tax: An increase in taxes on college endowments has contributed to the university's financial strain.
Operating loss: Harvard had an operating loss of $113 million in fiscal year 2025.
Government actions: Funding uncertainties and freezes from the previous administration have impacted the university's budget planning.
Other measures and consequences
Hiring freeze: The university has instituted a hiring freeze for full-time staff.
Flat budget: The FAS is planning for a flat budget for the next fiscal year and has stopped work on non-essential projects.
Impact on academic operations: Experts warn that the reduced intake could strain academic operations and hinder the training of future scholars.
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