Government launches review of Harvard’s $9 billion in federal funds

• The federal government is reviewing nearly $9 billion in grants and contracts awarded to Harvard University, focusing on “compliance with civil rights regulations.” The investigation is part of a task force addressing antisemitism in higher education. It also follows Harvard’s settlement of lawsuits from Jewish students claiming inadequate protection from pro-Palestinian protests.
• Education Secretary Linda McMahon criticized Harvard’s handling of antisemitic discrimination. Harvard President Alan Garber warned that halting funding would jeopardize critical research.
• The Anti-Defamation League graded Harvard a “C” for progress on antisemitism. Some critics argue the ADL conflates anti-Zionism with anti-Jewish bigotry.

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The federal government is reviewing nearly $9 billion in federal grants and commitments made to Harvard University. The Department of Education, the Department of Health and Human Services, and the U.S. General Services Administration have announced an investigation into Harvard’s federal contracts and grants. They say it is to ensure “the university is in compliance with federal regulations, including its civil rights responsibilities.”

This review is part of efforts by the Joint Task Force to Combat Anti-Semitism, created by President Donald Trump’s executive order, to investigate higher education institutions with alleged civil rights violations following the Hamas terror attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023.

Harvard is the wealthiest university in the country, with more than $53 billion in its endowment as of the last fiscal year.

The probe follows the Anti-Semitism Task Force’s cancellation of $400 million in federal funding to Columbia University. Columbia’s acting president stepped down after announcing changes to its policies and procedures. Trump administration also agreed to restore the funding at that point.

In January, Harvard University agreed to settle two lawsuits in which Jewish students claimed the university failed to protect them from pro-Palestinian protesters on campus during the spring of 2023.

“Harvard’s failure to protect students on campus from antisemitic discrimination – all while promoting divisive ideologies over free inquiry – has put its reputation in serious jeopardy,” Education Secretary Linda McMahon said in a statement. “Harvard can right these wrongs and restore itself to a campus dedicated to academic excellence and truth-seeking, where all students feel safe on its campus.”

Harvard President Alan Garber responded to the investigation. He stated that if the “funding is stopped, it will halt life-saving research and imperil important scientific research and innovation.”

He also added, “For the past fifteen months, we have devoted considerable effort to addressing antisemitism. We have strengthened our rules and our approach to disciplining those who violate them. We have enhanced training and education on antisemitism across our campus and introduced measures to support our Jewish community and ensure student safety and security.”

The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) recently released its campus report cards on antisemitism, grading Harvard a “C,” up from an “F” in 2024. The ADL stated that while progress has been made, the university still needs to make corrections.

Those corrections, according to the ADL, include addressing hostile anti-Zionist student government activity, student groups, and faculty and staff.

The Institute for Middle East Understanding criticized the ADL. They claim the ADL “weaponizes accusations of antisemitism” by “falsely conflating criticism of Israel and anti-Zionism with anti-Jewish bigotry.”