The University of Maryland, College Park laid off 84 employees as it addresses budget shortfalls tied to federal and state funding cuts and rising energy costs. UMD President Darryll Pines said the cuts follow an April outlook that the university might need to eliminate up to 150 jobs through layoffs, vacancy closures, and retirements. UMD reported that federal research funding could shrink by an estimated $15 million and that energy costs would rise by $18 million in the fiscal 2027 period, while state support is projected to decline by more than 10% across 2025–2027. UMD said it does not anticipate additional layoffs for fiscal 2027, but warned it must remain prepared for changing financial circumstances—highlighting how federal research volatility is translating into workforce decisions.