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Education

US Slashes $60 Million in Harvard Funding amid Dispute over Antisemitism and Academic Freedom

Tuesday 20 May 2025 - 14:05

By: Zahouani Ilham

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The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has announced it will cut an additional $60 million in federal grants to Harvard University, intensifying its conflict with the Ivy League institution over issues of alleged antisemitism, political influence, and the boundaries of academic freedom.

The HHS stated that Harvard had failed to address ongoing antisemitic and racial harassment, prompting the decision to terminate several multi-year grants. The department emphasized that “discrimination will not be tolerated” and that federal funding must support institutions committed to safeguarding all students.

This move follows a broader effort by the Trump administration, which has already frozen over $2.2 billion in federal funds previously allocated to Harvard. Earlier this month, Education Secretary Linda McMahon informed the university that it would no longer qualify for public research funding, accusing it of undermining the integrity of higher education. McMahon suggested that Harvard rely on its substantial endowment and wealthy alumni for future funding.

In response, Harvard has filed a lawsuit against the administration, arguing that the funding cuts violate the First Amendment and federal law by exerting political pressure and bypassing legal restrictions on presidential influence over tax investigations.

Despite the loss of government support, Harvard President Alan Garber announced that the university will allocate $250 million from its own resources to continue supporting research initiatives.

The dispute traces back to March, when President Trump pushed for new federal rules targeting elite universities that had hosted pro-Palestinian demonstrations. Trump labeled these protests as antisemitic and unlawful, while student leaders described them as peaceful expressions against alleged human rights violations in Gaza.

Harvard had refused to comply with the administration’s demands, which included revamping its disciplinary systems, scrapping diversity programs, and submitting to external audits of alleged antisemitic practices. Trump and conservative figures have repeatedly accused institutions like Harvard of suppressing conservative viewpoints and promoting far-left ideologies.