WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced Monday it is terminating $60 million in federal grants to Harvard University, citing the university’s failure to address antisemitic harassment and ethnic discrimination on campus.
The decision is part of a wider effort by the Trump administration, which has recently frozen or ended nearly $3 billion in federal funding to Harvard. The administration has criticized Harvard for its admissions policies that consider ethnicity and for allegedly allowing discrimination connected to pro-Palestinian student protests.
Broader Context of Federal Actions on Academia
Since taking office, President Donald Trump has pushed to use federal research funding as leverage to reshape U.S. higher education institutions, which he claims are influenced by anti-American and radical left ideologies.
Along with Harvard, Columbia University in New York has also faced scrutiny over allegations of antisemitism.
Harvard’s Response and Legal Actions
Harvard has previously expressed concern over the financial impact of frozen grants and said it is assisting affected researchers in seeking alternative funding sources. The university is also suing the Trump administration over the grant cuts.
Earlier this year, Harvard reached a settlement in a lawsuit brought by an Orthodox Jewish student who accused the university of ignoring antisemitism. The settlement followed promises by Harvard to enhance protections for Jewish students after resolving two lawsuits alleging pervasive antisemitism on campus.
Official Statement from HHS
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), HHS stated:
“Due to Harvard University’s continued failure to address antisemitic harassment and race discrimination, HHS is terminating multiple multi-year grant awards over their full duration.”
Harvard did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Source Attribution
Information sourced from:
- Reuters
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services official X account
- Harvard University public statements