Stand up for MIT
Stand up for Research, Innovation, and Education
The MIT community stands united.
Right now, MIT alumni, friends, students, faculty, and staff are voicing their support for America’s scientific and technological leadership; for affordable, merit-based education; and for advances that increase U.S. health, security, and prosperity.
They are standing up for MIT and its mission to serve the nation and the world.
We need you to join them at this critical moment.
At MIT, we are contending with a major tax increase on the annual returns from our endowment as well as other investments and assets. Starting in 2027, this new tax burden will cost in the range of 10% of our annual central budget, straining the resources we use to support research, innovation, and student scholarships and financial aid—the heart and soul of the Institute.
In addition, we continue to face further threats to our mission and financial model: Compared to this time last year, MIT has experienced a decline in campus research activity funded by federal awards of more than 20% — and the number of new federal research awards is also down more than 20%.
What MIT's leadership is doing.
MIT President Sally Kornbluth and the Institute's senior leadership are actively engaging in Washington, D.C., meeting with policymakers on both sides of the aisle to champion the importance of research, innovation, and education in sustaining American excellence.
At home, to navigate this unsettled financial climate, all academic and administrative units have reduced their budgets and continue to abide by an ongoing hiring freeze. Academic departments are feeling the strain of projects that have been stopped or slowed due to changes in federal policy, and the funding uncertainty has made departments across the Institute cautious about admitting new graduate students. As a result, outside of a few graduate programs that are still in the midst of admissions, our departments’ new enrollments for next year are down close to 20% from 2024 levels.
The MIT community is working mind and hand to meet the moment, and Institute alumni and friends are an important part of the effort.
How can you help now.
Share “Curiosity on a Mission”
MIT has a new storytelling project titled Curiosity on a Mission, which champions the long-horizon science that powers American innovation. The MIT effort highlights how basic research sparks enormous advances in medicine, technology, national security, and economic growth.
Access the alumni toolkit for materials that will help you share the case for curiosity- driven science with your personal and professional networks.
Contact U.S. Congressional leaders
Let your representative and senators know how you feel about these developments as their constituent. Use these tools to support your outreach efforts:
- Sample message on how to communicate about issues critical to MIT, including harmful cuts to research. (Infinite Connection login required for alumni. Non-alumni, please contact us for messaging guidance.)
- Contact information for U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senators. For those outside of the U.S., please contact your embassy/consulate.
Advocate for MIT
- Join the MIT Legislative Advocacy email list to stay up to date on the Institute’s legislative priorities.
- Keep up to date on how MIT is responding to the federal government’s actions.
- Learn more about the Institute’s contributions to U.S. health, security, and competitiveness.
Make a gift
Support the Institute with a gift to show the MIT community that you believe in its capacity to advance society and humanity.