Last updated: February 6, 2025
Upon taking office on January 20th, the Trump administration issued a wave of executive actions and other sweeping federal funding and policy changes. The university is working to evaluate the impacts of these actions on Northeastern’s teaching and research enterprise, as well as members of the university community. This FAQ is intended to share real-time information about these impacts and the university’s response. We will continue to update this page as additional information becomes available.
Northeastern has been actively planning for policy changes that could affect the university community and our research and teaching mission. In December 2024, the university issued guidance to international students, faculty, and staff on when to return from overseas travel. Other issues of strategic importance, including the status of research funding and student financial aid, are being closely monitored.
As of now, teaching and research should continue as planned. As recent news shows, this is a fluid situation that we are monitoring carefully. We will evaluate any forthcoming executive orders or pauses if they happen and provide updated guidance when necessary. Specific questions related to research grants at Northeastern should be directed to sponsoredresearchquestions@northeastern.edu.
Faculty conducting research under previously executed contracts with federal agencies should continue to fulfill the terms of those awards, unless a U.S. Government contracts officer has issued a stop work order to Northeastern for a particular grant, contract, or project at issue. We will continue to closely monitor any litigation that may impact the university or guidance from federal agencies. Any researcher with questions about a specific project should contact sponsoredresearchquestions@northeastern.edu.
We are thoroughly reviewing the university’s grant-funded portfolio to understand the potential scope and impact of the various messages and executive orders related to “DEIA.” This will include determining the current administration’s definition of DEIA.
Federal financial aid for students is not currently at risk. The executive orders that have attempted to freeze spending — which are currently on hold due to a court ruling — do not apply to federal funds directed at individuals. These include federal financial aid programs such as Pell Grants, the federal Work Study program, and Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (SEOG).
Northeastern outlines funding commitments to PhD students in their individual admissions letters. The university will fully honor those commitments to all currently admitted PhD students, even if a student’s federal grant funding is suspended or terminated.
In addition to guidance issued in December 2024, Northeastern has been in regular contact with its international students, faculty and staff, advising them on their rights and on travel to and from the United States. For routine, compliance-related immigration visits, continue to follow established procedures at your campus location. For all other visits from an immigration official, please contact the Office of the General Counsel at immigrationsitevisit@northeastern.edu.
Students, faculty, and staff who have F-1/J1 nonimmigrant visas should contact the Office of Global Services (OGS) with any questions or concerns. For faculty and staff whose immigration status is based on their Northeastern employment, please contact the Office of the General Counsel at OGCimmigration@northeastern.edu.
Those with other types of visa concerns, independent from the university, are encouraged to contact an immigration attorney. Members of the Northeastern community in Boston may refer to this guidance from the Massachusetts Immigration and Refugee Advocacy Coalition.
For additional support, Northeastern offers a wealth of student wellness resources, including University Health and Counseling Services. Faculty and staff can find assistance through Human Resources and use the Ombuds for confidential consultation on workplace issues and concerns. Any form of discrimination or harassment should be addressed to the Office for University Equity and Compliance. Any imminent threat to safety should be reported to NUPD at 617-373-3333.
Northeastern’s commitment to embracing our entire global community remains steadfast. While internal structures and approaches may be adjusted to ensure continued compliance with the law, the university’s core values don’t change. We believe that embracing our differences — and building a community of belonging —makes Northeastern stronger.
Our reimagined approach centers on embracing the experiences of individuals across the global university system to maximize impact at the institutional level. This involves offering education and workshops, encouraging participation in affinity groups, sharing best practices, and using data to inform how we focus our resources and our work.
Northeastern remains committed to providing a living, learning, and working environment free from discrimination and harassment for all members of our community. Moreover, the university’s Policy on Nondiscrimination and Equal Opportunity remains fully in effect. Several states where Northeastern maintains campuses (including MA, ME, CA, WA, VA, and NC) have laws expressly prohibiting gender discrimination.
We have an obligation to the entire Northeastern community – and to society as a whole – to make sure our work can continue. Failing to comply with the law could jeopardize student financial aid and federally funded research across a range of disciplines and projects.