Federal Funding Halted for Harvard Until Trump Administration Conditions Are Met
The U.S. Department of Education announced on Monday that Harvard University will not receive any new federal research grants until it complies with a series of conditions set forth by the administration of former President Donald Trump.
In a letter sent to Harvard’s president, federal officials outlined the decision as part of a broader crackdown on institutions the administration accuses of fostering liberal ideologies and failing to address antisemitism. The move follows a previous freeze on $2.2 billion in grant funding and is part of Trump’s wider effort to revoke the university’s tax-exempt status.
Harvard has challenged the demands, resulting in a highly visible standoff with the federal government. During a press briefing, a Department of Education representative, speaking anonymously, stated that Harvard must demonstrate improved governance and meet a range of federal requirements before it can regain access to research funding. The restriction does not affect financial aid for students.
The administration cited what it described as “serious deficiencies” at the university, including allowing discriminatory practices, compromising academic rigor, and limiting ideological diversity. To regain eligibility for funding, Harvard would need to enter formal discussions with the government and show that it has met the administration’s criteria.
Among the conditions are sweeping changes to Harvard’s governance, a reassessment of its admissions process, and an evaluation of campus diversity in thought and representation. The campaign is part of a wider initiative affecting other prestigious institutions like Columbia, Penn, and Cornell, as the Trump administration pursues reforms related to campus antisemitism and broader social issues such as transgender participation in women’s sports.
In a recent letter to Harvard leadership, Education Secretary Linda McMahon criticized the university’s international admissions and accused it of undermining the integrity of American higher education.
Harvard President Alan Garber has resisted the demands, filing a lawsuit to challenge the funding freeze. Speaking to alumni, he acknowledged some validity in criticisms of campus climate but emphasized that the federal government’s actions pose a significant threat to the university’s self-governance.
“This is not just about antisemitism; it is about maintaining our independence,” Garber said. “The demands raised new governance concerns that we could not ignore.”
Harvard’s legal challenge argues that the funding freeze violates the First Amendment and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act. The Trump administration has indicated that compliance is required to retain nearly $9 billion in federal contracts and grants.
While Harvard’s $53 billion endowment is the largest of any U.S. university, federal funding still accounted for over 10% of its 2023 revenue, excluding student aid.
