Athira Sethu
Kochi, 5 May 2025
The U.S. Department of Education halts future funding for Harvard, demanding changes to campus policies and practices, including addressing antisemitism, race-based admissions, and faculty diversity
The U.S. Education Department informed Harvard University on Monday that it will halt awarding the university billions of dollars in future research grants and other assistance. This will remain in effect until Harvard complies with certain conditions demanded by the Trump administration.
This is the latest instance of the Trump administration pressuring schools and other entities to alter their policies by using money and federal funding. The government warned Harvard that if it did not alter its policies, it would not get any more money from the federal government.
In a letter to Harvard, Education Secretary Linda McMahon enumerated the grievances. The government wishes Harvard would correct issues involving antisemitism on campus, cease relying on race when making admissions decisions, and increase hiring conservative professors. The letter explicitly stated that Harvard should no longer apply for federal grants as none will be approved.
Harvard reacted vigorously, indicating the government’s request was not fair and would allow too much dominance over the university. A Harvard spokesperson stated that the school will continue to maintain its right to free speech and research without governmental interference. The university will also add that halting funding will harm research that saves lives.
This action is a fresh approach by the Trump administration. Previous attempts to freeze already-committed money to schools were met with lawsuits. Now, the government is halting funding in the future.
President Trump has also accused Harvard of tolerating pro-Palestinian protests on campus. These protests began after an October 2023 clash between Israel and Hamas left people dead. Trump and his supporters claim that some protestors are antisemitic and sympathetic to terrorism. But protestors, including some Jewish groups, claim that they are merely upholding the rights of Palestinians and protesting Israel’s actions.
Last week, the Trump administration launched a formal review of almost $9 billion in government funding for Harvard. It also requested that the school prohibit diversity, equity, and inclusion programs and restrict some protest groups and protest masks.
Harvard denied most of these requests last month. It then filed suit against the Trump administration, asserting that the freeze would be harmful to students, employees, and critical research. Losing the funds could impact healthcare and science initiatives, the school claimed.
Harvard has an endowment of $53 billion, but most of that money is already committed to items such as scholarships and student assistance.
