US Freezes Funding for Harvard Over Policy Disputes
Funding Freeze Imposed by US Education Department
On Monday, the US Department of Education announced a suspension of billions in future research funding and other financial assistance to Harvard University until the institution meets specific demands from the Trump administration, as reported by various news outlets.
In a communication from Secretary of Education Linda McMahon, Harvard was instructed to tackle issues related to antisemitism on campus and to revise its policies regarding race considerations in student admissions.
Additionally, McMahon highlighted concerns that Harvard had strayed from its commitment to 'academic excellence' while employing a disproportionately low number of conservative faculty members.
McMahon stated, 'This letter serves to inform you that Harvard should cease seeking federal GRANTS, as none will be forthcoming,' according to reports.
Harvard responded by asserting that the letter reinforced demands that would impose 'unprecedented and improper control' over the university and threatened to unlawfully withhold funding essential for critical research.
A spokesperson for Harvard emphasized, 'The university will continue to resist illegal government overreach that aims to suppress research and innovation that enhance safety and security for Americans.'
Earlier in April, the Trump administration had already frozen over $2.2 billion in grants and an additional $60 million in contracts to Harvard after the university refused to comply with demands to modify its policies and limit campus activism.
This action followed Harvard's rejection of a comprehensive list of requirements from the White House, which were purportedly designed to combat antisemitism and reform university governance, admissions, and hiring practices.
The US government indicated that nearly $9 billion in total grants and contracts were at risk if Harvard did not adhere to the outlined conditions.
Among the stipulations were requirements for the university to report students deemed 'hostile' to American values to federal authorities, ensure departmental 'viewpoint diversity,' and permit an external, government-sanctioned audit of programs that allegedly promote antisemitic harassment.
Additional measures included prohibiting face masks on campus, discontinuing diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, and revoking recognition from student organizations accused of endorsing criminal behavior, violence, or harassment.
The US government had also threatened to prevent Harvard from enrolling international students unless the institution provided disciplinary records and details about students' involvement in protests.
The White House contended that universities have allowed antisemitism to thrive amid protests against Israel's actions in Gaza and US support for those actions. The administration stated, 'Harvard has failed to uphold the intellectual and civil rights standards that justify federal funding.'
Since assuming office in January, Trump has consistently criticized elite universities regarding campus protests, diversity initiatives, and free speech matters. Harvard is the seventh major institution to have its funding paused by his administration, following Columbia, the University of Pennsylvania, Brown, Princeton, Cornell, and Northwestern.
Columbia was the first university targeted and later complied with several government demands after losing $400 million in federal funding. Education Secretary Linda McMahon remarked at that time that 'universities must adhere to all federal anti-discrimination laws to qualify for federal funding.'