White House halts new grants for Harvard

The administration of US President Donald Trump has blocked new federal research grants to Harvard University, saying the school must meet a list of White House demands first.

The decision marks the latest escalation in a broader clash between the administration and top US universities over their response to pro-Palestinian protests. Since taking office, Trump has ramped up pressure on campuses to tackle alleged anti-Semitism and roll back diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs.

In a letter posted on Tuesday on X, Education Department Secretary Linda McMahon accused Harvard of “serious failures” in anti-Semitism, racial discrimination, academic rigor, and viewpoint diversity.

“Harvard University has made a mockery of this country’s higher education system,” McMahon wrote, adding that it “should no longer seek” federal funding “since none will be provided.” 

The letter said Harvard would need to enter talks with the government and show it had complied with the administration’s demands to regain eligibility for new grants.

Harvard responded on Tuesday, saying it “will continue to defend against illegal government overreach.”

Trump has targeted Harvard over claims of anti-Semitism tied to pro-Palestinian protests, which erupted after Israel’s offensive in Gaza following the October 7 Hamas attack. More than 50,000 people have been killed in Gaza, according to the local health ministry. The protests intensified as Washington continued supplying weapons to Israel.

In recent weeks, the Trump administration has launched a review of nearly $9 billion in federal funds for Harvard and demanded the university ban DEI programs, restrict pro-Palestinian groups, and prohibit masks at protests.

Harvard rejected the demands, accusing the White House of trying to “control” its campus. It sued the administration over the suspension of around $2.3 billion in funding and pledged to combat discrimination internally.

In its lawsuit, the university warned the cuts could have “real-life consequences” for students and researchers and could jeopardize medical and scientific work.

Harvard has a $53 billion endowment – America’s largest – but much of it is restricted for specific purposes such as financial aid and scholarships.

The Trump administration has also suspended federal funding for the University of Pennsylvania, Brown, Princeton, Cornell, and Northwestern.