The University of Maryland, College Park laid off 84 employees as it navigates budget shortfalls tied to federal and state funding cuts and rising energy costs, according to President Darryll Pines. The institution previously estimated it may need to cut up to 150 positions through layoffs, vacancy closures, and retirements. Pines said fiscal impacts include an estimated $15 million reduction in federal research funding for UMD and $18 million in additional energy costs. State support is projected to decline by more than 10% (about $104 million) over the 2025–2027 fiscal period, with Wednesday’s layoffs affecting state-funded roles. The cuts underscore a funding fragility that is especially sharp for research universities: federal grants and contracts are a major revenue stream, and reduced appropriations can quickly force workforce reductions even while enrollment remains stable. Institutions facing similar federal research uncertainty may need to reassess staffing plans and spending guardrails for fiscal 2027.