Harvard University recently became the latest prestigious institution to find its federal funding under scrutiny by the Trump administration due to political influences. This approach by the government to control prominent U.S. colleges is unprecedented, marking a form of pressure applied mainly on Ivy League schools.
President Donald Trump made campaign promises to target institutions for teaching topics such as “critical race theory” and “transgender issues,” deeming these areas as unsuitable content. These targeted actions also extend to public school services.
Several universities have faced government pressure regarding their federal funding due to this policy. Let’s explore which institutions have been affected.
**Harvard University**
A detailed investigation was set in motion by the administration’s antisemitism task force on March 31 involving Harvard University. The government sought to review roughly $9 billion in federal grants and agreements. Following significant pro-Palestinian activism on their campus the previous year, Harvard was among those universities scrutinized by Republicans. Various Ivy League leaders were summoned to testify before Congress regarding the allegations. On April 3, Harvard was presented with demands, such as restricting masks and protests on campus as well as academic biases reviews.
Further demands soon included alterations in leadership and admissions policies, along with the cessation of recognizing specific student groups. Harvard’s President Alan Gerber promptly responded, declining to adhere to these terms, asserting the institution’s commitment to its constitutional rights and independence. Consequently, the government subsequently froze over $2.2 billion in grants and $60 million in contracts.
**Cornell University**
The White House declared a freeze on $1 billion of federal funding to Cornell due to an ongoing civil rights violation inquiry. A letter from the Education Department stressed the protection of Jewish student interests or risk further action. Nevertheless, the total extent of the funding freeze, including potential stop-work orders by the Defense Department, remains formally unconfirmed by Cornell.
**Northwestern University**
In Illinois, Northwestern experienced a freeze on federal funding, amounting to approximately $790 million. Despite cooperating with ongoing civil rights investigations, Northwestern had not received any direct communication from the White House about the funding suspension. University representatives expressed concerns over potential setbacks to their scientific research, especially regarding funding cuts from the National Institutes of Health.
**Brown University**
Anticipation grew that the Trump administration would cease federal financial support to Brown University due to their response to incidents of alleged campus antisemitism. A total of $510 million in funding was at stake, according to White House officials.
**Princeton University**
Princeton experienced the suspension of numerous research grants without explicit explanations, affected by agencies including the Department of Energy and NASA. University President Christopher Eisgruber previously vocalized dissent against the administration’s tactics, fearing a detrimental effect on research excellence and national leadership.
**University of Pennsylvania**
Unique among others, the University of Pennsylvania faced federal cutbacks due to a transgender athlete’s participation in its swimming program. An executive order further prohibiting transgender athletes led to an inquiry into the university’s athletics programs, culminating in the suspension of $175 million in federal funds.
**Columbia University**
Initially, Columbia University encountered threats of funding cuts, with the government’s warning targeting $51 million of contracts. This arose following student demonstrations against Israel’s military actions in Gaza, which escalated into confrontations and arrests. The university addressed administrative demands post-funding suspension, resulting in significant organizational changes, including the reduced autonomy of certain academic departments.
Following Harvard’s firm stance against the administration’s conditions, Columbia University, led by interim President Claire Shipman, also expressed a preference to oppose excessive direction that would compromise its independence. Negotiations between the Trump administration and Columbia University are ongoing.