Kamal Ghorui
Harvard’s Faculty of Arts and Sciences has announced a $100 million fundraising drive to endow new PhD fellowships, aiming to stabilise graduate funding after sharp reductions in doctoral admissions across divisions. According to the Harvard Crimson, the initiative has already secured $50 million in matching funds from donors and was mobilised within eight weeks amid mounting financial pressure on the school.The fundraising effort follows decisions last fall by FAS Dean Hopi E. Hoekstra to cut PhD admissions for the next two years, citing instability in research funding and a higher federal endowment tax. The Harvard Crimson reported that administrators described the campaign as a way to support graduate students without further straining the FAS operating budget.Donor challenge and fellowship structureThe Harvard Crimson reported that the $50 million raised so far includes a lead gift from Alfred Lin ’94, managing partner at venture capital firm Sequoia, and Rebecca Lin ’94. Contributions also came from Rui Dong ’05, a former managing director at D.E. Shaw, and Brian D. Young ’76, founding partner of private equity firm Eos. New donations to create named fellowships will be matched through the challenge, with the goal of establishing 50 new endowed PHD fellowships.FAS spokesperson James M. Chisholm said the fellowships would support PHD candidates across all three FAS divisions as well as the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences. Allocation among the divisions and SEAS has not yet been finalised and will depend partly on donor preferences, Chisholm said, as quoted by the Harvard Crimson.Admissions cuts and faculty concernsIn October, FAS reduced PhD admissions across divisions by more than 50 percent for two years. The Harvard Crimson reported that the Sciences division initially faced a 75 percent cut, later revised to 50 percent after faculty objections.During a faculty meeting Tuesday, history professor Sugata Bose questioned use of the new funds. He said departments had rejected candidates who would normally have been admitted, adding that he had “never seen such rare talent not being admitted,” as quoted by the Harvard Crimson.Timing of funds and financial contextHoekstra cautioned faculty that the fundraising drive remained uncertain. “We are running an experiment that may or may not work,” she said during the meeting, according to the Harvard Crimson. She did not commit to using the funds this admissions cycle.Chisholm said that gifts made in coming months could support new PHD students as early as the next academic year, the Harvard Crimson reported. Some donors have already made current use gifts to expand PHD support next fall.The FAS continues to face financial challenges, including a $365 million structural deficit. As reported by the Harvard Crimson, the school has taken cost cutting measures, including vacating rented space and pausing new faculty hires for fiscal year 2026.
