Trump Administration Cuts Off Federal Research Grants To Harvard As University Refuses To Roll Back DEI Initiatives; Student Aid Remains Unaffected

May 5, 2025 by TJB Writer in Politics with 0 Comments

Trump Administration Cuts Off Federal Research Grants To Harvard As University Refuses To Roll Back DEI Initiatives; Student Aid Remains Unaffected

The Trump administration has halted new federal research grants to Harvard University, citing antisemitic incidents on campus. “This letter is to inform you that Harvard should no longer seek GRANTS from the federal government, since none will be provided,” Education Secretary Linda McMahon wrote to Harvard President Alan Garber on May 5. She added, “Harvard will cease to be a publicly funded institution, and can instead operate as a privately-funded institution, drawing on its colossal endowment.”

Despite the ban, federal student financial aid remains unaffected. A senior Education Department official clarified that only research funding is impacted.

The move follows Harvard’s refusal to comply with federal demands to reform hiring, teaching, and admissions. In April, over $2 billion in federal research funding was frozen. In response, Harvard sued, stating, “This case involves the Government’s efforts to use the withholding of federal funding as leverage to gain control of academic decisionmaking at Harvard.”

The university has not yet commented on the latest letter.