The Trump administration on Monday announced it is ending eligibility for new federal research grants for Harvard University. Education Secretary Linda McMahon conveyed the decision in a letter to Harvard President Alan Garber.
The administration cited "consistent violations of its own legal duties" by Harvard as the reason for the action. The letter pointed to ongoing issues between the university and the administration, including handling of affirmative action, campus protests, and university management. It also noted the temporary removal and later reinstatement of standardized testing.
McMahon's letter stated Harvard "has made a mockery of this country’s higher education system." It argued the university has failed to abide by legal obligations, ethical duties, transparency responsibilities, and academic standards.
The administration stated that if Harvard does not address the listed issues, it will cease being a publicly funded institution. The letter suggested Harvard use its substantial endowment, recently reported to be around $53 billion, and private fundraising to operate.
A senior administration official said the move targets new research grant funding, estimated to impact over $1 billion a year. Federal Pell Grants and student loan funding remain unaffected currently. The administration previously froze $2.2 billion in multi-year federal funding for the university.
The Trump administration indicated a willingness to negotiate to restore funding if Harvard complies with federal law. This could involve resolution agreements stemming from ongoing federal government investigations into the university.
The administration has issued a series of demands, including eliminating diversity, equity and inclusion programs, banning masks at campus protests, implementing merit-based hiring and admissions, and turning over discipline records for foreign students. The administration has also threatened to revoke Harvard’s tax-exempt status and its ability to host international students.
Harvard denounced the administration’s announcement and called the demands an attempt to impose improper control. A Harvard spokesperson said the university will continue to comply with law, promote viewpoint diversity, combat antisemitism, and defend against actions aiming to stifle research. The spokesperson also confirmed Harvard's lawsuit against the administration over the funding cuts.
Pressure from the administration extends beyond Harvard. Other institutions like Princeton, Cornell, and Northwestern have also faced funding freezes or suspensions. The Department of Education advised 60 universities they are under investigation regarding antisemitism and discrimination concerns.
