Harvard not eligible for any federal research grants: Ed Sec Linda McMahon

Education Secretary Linda McMahon has formally notified Harvard University that it is no longer eligible to receive new federal research grants, citing a number of concerns, including antisemitism on campus and continued use of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives.

In a letter sent Monday to Harvard President Alan Garber, McMahon informed the Ivy League institution that new federal research funding is being cut off and the school should not apply for future grants. 

“This letter is to inform you that Harvard should no longer seek GRANTS from the federal government, since none will be provided,” McMahon wrote. “Harvard will cease to be a publicly funded institution, and can instead operate as a privately-funded institution, drawing on its colossal endowment, and raising money from its large base of wealthy alumni.”

During a press call on Monday, a senior Education Department official clarified to reporters that the decision affects only research funding. Federal student financial aid will remain unaffected. According to The Hill, the official said that the restriction will remain in place until Harvard can “demonstrate responsible management.”

The letter sharply criticized Harvard’s DEI programs, accusing the university of ignoring the US Supreme Court’s ruling that banned race-based admission policies. McMahon claimed that Harvard “continues to engage in ugly racism in its undergraduate and graduate schools.” 

“Our universities should be bastions of merit that reward and celebrate excellence and achievement,” McMahon wrote. “They should not be incubators of discrimination that encourage resentment and instill grievance and racism into our wonderful young Americans.”

The move follows a previous decision by the Trump administration in April to freeze over $2 billion in federal research funding to the university, after the university failed to adhere to changes requested by the federal government. In response, Harvard filed a lawsuit challenging the administration's actions, arguing that the government is infringing on its academic freedom.

"This case involves the Government’s efforts to use the withholding of federal funding as leverage to gain control of academic decisionmaking at Harvard," the university claimed in its lawsuit.