The Trump administration has decided to suspend $339 million in research grants to the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), alleging civil rights infringements pertaining to antisemitism, affirmative action, and womenโs sports. This action is unusual as it targets a public university, although similar measures have been taken against private colleges before.
UCLA has been informed this week by several federal agencies, including the Department of Health and Human Services and the National Institutes of Health, about the suspension of $240 million of grants due to concerns regarding civil rights. This information comes from a source familiar with the internal discussions, who asked to remain anonymous.
The Trump administration has revealed that its Department of Justiceโs Civil Rights Division found UCLA guilty of contravening the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. They claim UCLA showed โdeliberate indifferenceโ to creating an unwelcoming environment for Jewish and Israeli students.
In a related development last week, Columbia University agreed to a $200 million settlement to end federal investigations over similar allegations of violating antidiscrimination laws. This agreement also resulted in the restoration of more than $400 million in research grants. The government is eyeing Columbiaโs resolution as a model to set financial expectations for other universities facing similar accusations.
The National Science Foundation has also communicated to UCLA that it was suspending certain funding awards due to misalignment with its agency priorities.
UCLA Chancellor Julio Frenk expressed his dismay over the governmentโs decision, calling it โdeeply disappointing.โ He emphasized the potential negative impact on numerous research projects and the university community due to the lost grants.
In a letter, the Department of Energy highlighted several incidents of โnoncomplianceโ by UCLA, specifically referring to the consideration of race in admissions, contrary to Californiaโs 1996 ban on affirmative action and the 2023 Supreme Court decision. The letter criticizes UCLA for practices that seem like race-based admissions, disadvantaging white, Jewish, and Asian American applicants.
Additionally, the letter accuses UCLA of failing to maintain an environment free from antisemitism and alleges discrimination against women by permitting transgender athletes to join womenโs sports teams.
Chancellor Frenk countered these claims, arguing that defunding significant research under the semblance of combating discrimination is ineffective and dismisses other valid concerns.
The announcement comes shortly after UCLA reached a $6 million settlement with three Jewish students and a Jewish professor who accused the university of civil rights violations. This suit arose after UCLA did not prevent pro-Palestinian protesters from obstructing the studentsโ access to classes and facilities in 2024.
Initially, UCLA contended it was not legally accountable since the protesters, not the university, managed to block certain areas. Nonetheless, the university has cooperated with law enforcement to prevent further protest encampments. UCLA has underlined its commitment to ensuring campus safety and fostering an inclusive environment, pledging to continue implementing recommended changes.