Harvard Loses $60 Million in Federal Grants Amid Antisemitism Scrutiny by HHS

Harvard Loses $60 Million in Federal Grants Amid Antisemitism Scrutiny by HHS

Cambridge, MA – May 20, 2025 – The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has withdrawn $60 million in federal grants from Harvard University, marking the third round of funding cuts tied to the institution’s handling of antisemitism and campus discrimination.

This latest cut adds to a growing total of more than $2.7 billion in federal funding Harvard has lost in recent weeks. The move is part of a broader campaign by the Trump administration to investigate how federally funded universities respond to antisemitism and uphold civil rights compliance.

A spokesperson for HHS, Andrew Nixon, stated that Harvard failed to demonstrate “sufficient commitment to eliminating discrimination and ensuring a safe environment for all students,” despite repeated warnings. While the department did not specify which programs were affected, they referenced Centers for Disease Control and Prevention-linked grants among the canceled funds.

Harvard has strongly denied these allegations. In April, the university filed a lawsuit challenging the administration’s decision, arguing that the cuts are unlawful and exceed federal authority. Harvard President Alan M. Garber emphasized the institution’s dedication to academic freedom and institutional autonomy in areas such as teaching, admissions, and research.

To offset the budgetary impact, Garber announced he would take a 25 percent pay cut for fiscal year 2026. Nonetheless, the funding losses threaten numerous public health and medical research initiatives. The Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health disclosed that nearly half of its FY2025 budget depends on federal funding.

The Joint Task Force to Combat Anti-Semitism, established by the administration, is currently reviewing over $8.7 billion in long-term federal commitments to Harvard and its affiliated institutions. Meanwhile, the Internal Revenue Service has been requested to re-examine Harvard’s tax-exempt status.

Harvard is one of several elite institutions under scrutiny. In March, Columbia University lost $400 million in federal funding following similar accusations related to antisemitism and ideological bias.

As tensions rise between the federal government and higher education institutions, the outcome of Harvard’s legal challenge could have far-reaching implications for academic funding and governance nationwide.