University of Missouri President addresses budget cuts amid federal funding freeze

COLUMBIA, Mo., (KBSI) — University of Missouri President Mun Choi addressed budget cuts and future plans in a letter to faculty and staff on Monday, citing challenges posed by the Trump administration’s freeze on National Institutes of Health grant applications and funding.

Choi expressed optimism about the university’s future while acknowledging the impact of reduced indirect cost returns and canceled federal projects.

To mitigate these effects, MU leaders will implement expense reductions for fiscal year 2025 and are seeking guidance from department heads for fiscal year 2026 budgets, anticipating continued federal program cuts.

Despite these challenges, Choi emphasized the university’s strong foundation, positive enrollment numbers, increasing state support, and profitable entrepreneurial programs, which he believes will help MU weather the financial storm.