<p>Washington: The Trump administration Monday sought to force Harvard University back to the negotiating table by informing the nation’s oldest and wealthiest college that it would not be eligible for any new federal grants.</p><p>That decision was relayed in a contentious letter to Alan Garber, the president of Harvard, from Education Secretary Linda McMahon, who blasted the school for “disastrous mismanagement.”</p><p>“This letter is to inform you that Harvard should no longer seek grants from the federal government, since none will be provided,” McMahon wrote in the letter.</p><p>It was the first significant response from the administration since Harvard sued to challenge the government’s decision to cut billions of dollars in research funding after the university defied demands for intrusive oversight.</p><p>An Education Department official who briefed reporters about the letter before it was released said Harvard’s eligibility for research grants depended on its ability to first address concerns about antisemitism on campus, policies that consider a student’s race, and complaints from the administration that the university has abandoned its pursuit of “academic excellence” while employing relatively few conservative faculty members.</p>.Trump signs order restricting research that enhances pathogens.<p>In a statement on Monday night, a Harvard spokesperson said the letter showed the administration “doubling down on demands that would impose unprecedented and improper control over Harvard University and would have chilling implications for higher education.”</p><p>The statement suggested it would be illegal to withhold funds in the manner McMahon described.</p><p>“Harvard will continue to comply with the law, promote and encourage respect for viewpoint diversity, and combat antisemitism in our community,” the statement said. “Harvard will also continue to defend against illegal government overreach aimed at stifling research and innovation that make Americans safer and more secure.”</p><p>The statement maintained Harvard’s toughened posture toward the administration and came days after the university said there was “no legal basis” behind President Donald Trump’s threat to revoke its tax-exempt status.</p><p>Under a system that has been a part of American life since around World War II, Harvard, like other top research institutions, relies on federal money to support many of its projects.</p><p>In the 2024 fiscal year, federally sponsored research dollars accounted for about 11% of Harvard’s revenue, or roughly $687 million. And although Harvard’s endowment is worth more than $53 billion, much of that money is restricted, limiting how the university may spend it.</p>
<p>Washington: The Trump administration Monday sought to force Harvard University back to the negotiating table by informing the nation’s oldest and wealthiest college that it would not be eligible for any new federal grants.</p><p>That decision was relayed in a contentious letter to Alan Garber, the president of Harvard, from Education Secretary Linda McMahon, who blasted the school for “disastrous mismanagement.”</p><p>“This letter is to inform you that Harvard should no longer seek grants from the federal government, since none will be provided,” McMahon wrote in the letter.</p><p>It was the first significant response from the administration since Harvard sued to challenge the government’s decision to cut billions of dollars in research funding after the university defied demands for intrusive oversight.</p><p>An Education Department official who briefed reporters about the letter before it was released said Harvard’s eligibility for research grants depended on its ability to first address concerns about antisemitism on campus, policies that consider a student’s race, and complaints from the administration that the university has abandoned its pursuit of “academic excellence” while employing relatively few conservative faculty members.</p>.Trump signs order restricting research that enhances pathogens.<p>In a statement on Monday night, a Harvard spokesperson said the letter showed the administration “doubling down on demands that would impose unprecedented and improper control over Harvard University and would have chilling implications for higher education.”</p><p>The statement suggested it would be illegal to withhold funds in the manner McMahon described.</p><p>“Harvard will continue to comply with the law, promote and encourage respect for viewpoint diversity, and combat antisemitism in our community,” the statement said. “Harvard will also continue to defend against illegal government overreach aimed at stifling research and innovation that make Americans safer and more secure.”</p><p>The statement maintained Harvard’s toughened posture toward the administration and came days after the university said there was “no legal basis” behind President Donald Trump’s threat to revoke its tax-exempt status.</p><p>Under a system that has been a part of American life since around World War II, Harvard, like other top research institutions, relies on federal money to support many of its projects.</p><p>In the 2024 fiscal year, federally sponsored research dollars accounted for about 11% of Harvard’s revenue, or roughly $687 million. And although Harvard’s endowment is worth more than $53 billion, much of that money is restricted, limiting how the university may spend it.</p>