The United States government has announced it will no longer provide new grants to Harvard University. The decision was confirmed by U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon.
For the past few weeks, tensions have been rising between the Trump administration and several top U.S. universities, including Harvard. The government alleges that these institutions have allowed antisemitic activities to take place on their campuses. As a result, the administration is imposing measures such as budget cuts, withdrawal of tax exemptions, and pressure on foreign student admissions.
In a letter to the President of Harvard, which was also published online, Secretary McMahon stated that the university should no longer apply for federal grants, as no new grants will be approved. She accused Harvard of failing to uphold its legal obligations, ethical and financial responsibilities, transparency policies, and academic standards.
Harvard, one of the top-ranked universities in the world, has recently come under fire from the Trump administration after it refused to comply with government oversight regarding admissions, hiring, and political perspectives. In mid-April, the administration suspended a $2.2 billion federal fund allocated to Harvard and placed a total of $9 billion in funding under review.
McMahon, a former wrestling executive now overseeing education in the Trump administration, concluded in her letter, “This letter serves as notice that all new grants to the university are hereby terminated.”
As of 2024, Harvard is the wealthiest university in the United States, with an endowment of $53.2 billion.