An October survey of 74 US public and private research universities by the Association of American Universities, the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU), and the Science Coalition sheds new light on the effects of the US federal budget sequestration, which began in March. Eighty-one percent of respondents reported that the sequestration had an immediate negative effect on research activities at their institutions. Seventy percent of respondents reported that the federal budget sequestration reduced the number of new research grants they received, and 70% reported delays in research projects. Thirty-five percent reported cancelled research projects. For 58% of respondents, the sequestration negatively affected their research personnel. The effects reported by the highest percentage of respondents at 31% were reductions in student positions. Reductions in temporary or part-time staff positions were reported by 30%. Sixteen percent reported permanent staff layoffs.

Source: APLU