Harvard University has officially reported a $113 million operating deficit for the fiscal year 2025, marking its first budget shortfall since 2020. This unexpected turn comes despite an impressive 11.9 percent growth in the institution’s vast endowment, which now stands at an staggering $56.9 billion. The financial report uncovers a complex situation, largely influenced by federal funding disruptions rather than any decline in investment returns.
The deficit represents a 1.7 percent shortfall on total revenues of $6.7 billion, a stark reversal from the previous year’s $45 million surplus. Harvard attributes this significant gap mainly to the Trump administration’s suspension of nearly all federal research grants earlier in the year, which severely impacted the university’s sponsored research income.
Federal Grant Suspensions Hit Harvard’s Finances Hard
Harvard’s federal sponsored revenue plummeted by 8 percent to $629 million in fiscal year 2025 due to the abrupt halt in research grants. According to the financial report, without these freezes, federal revenue would have actually seen a 9 percent increase from the prior year. While most funding was eventually restored after a federal judge ruled the White House’s freeze unconstitutional, these reinstatements occurred after the fiscal year concluded, and therefore are not reflected in this report.
Although non-federal sponsored revenue saw a 6 percent rise to $345 million, supported by new multi-year awards, the substantial loss of federal grants compelled the university to draw $250 million from its contingency reserves to support researchers awaiting payment reinstatement.
Harvard Treasurer Timothy R. Barakett ’87 and Chief Financial Officer Ritu Kalra commented, as quoted by the Harvard Crimson, that “The financial consequences of the White House’s attacks on Harvard are only beginning to be felt.” They further explained that the deficit “reflects not only the magnitude of the disruption, but also the discipline of a university community that acted quickly and with resolve.”
Cost-Cutting Measures Amidst Rising Expenses
Despite implementing strict austerity measures, including hiring freezes, layoffs, and pauses on wage increases, the university’s operating expenses still climbed by $367 million. This increase was primarily driven by salary and benefit hikes approved before the hiring freeze, unforeseen legal fees, and crucial investments in technology infrastructure. At least four faculties experienced layoffs, including Harvard’s School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, which cut its clerical and technical staff by 25 percent.
University President Alan M. Garber ’76 acknowledged the challenging financial year, stating, as quoted by the Harvard Crimson, “Even by the standards of our centuries-long history, fiscal year 2025 was extraordinarily challenging, with political and economic disruption affecting many sectors, including higher education.”
Endowment Growth and Looming Future Challenges
The university’s endowment remains a vital financial backbone, contributing 37 percent of Harvard’s operating revenue and providing $2.5 billion in spending last year. The fund achieved its highest investment return since the post-pandemic recovery, largely thanks to a strategic shift towards external managers and private equity holdings under CEO N.P. “Narv” Narvekar.
Private equity allocations expanded to 41 percent of the endowment, up from 39 percent the previous year, even after $1 billion of private equity stakes were divested. However, it’s crucial to note that approximately 80 percent of these endowment funds are restricted and cannot be utilized as a permanent solution for budget shortfalls.
Why This Deficit is More Than Just a Number
While the endowment’s impressive returns might suggest financial health, this deficit highlights significant underlying risks. A recent mega tax and spending bill passed by Republicans is set to increase the endowment’s tax rate from 1.4 percent to 8 percent. If applied to recent returns, this change could cost Harvard around $300 million, potentially exacerbating financial pressures in the upcoming fiscal year.
Barakett and Kalra underscored in the Harvard Crimson that, “The endowment cannot be used indefinitely as a stopgap measure.” Thus, the deficit points to deeper, structural challenges tied to federal funding instability and rising operational costs, rather than simply being a minor financial setback.
Harvard’s fiscal report clearly illustrates that even with substantial investment growth, the university’s financial stability remains vulnerable to external political decisions and economic shifts, transforming this deficit into a serious warning for the future.