Harvard University sues Trump administration over federal funding freeze

Harvard University has filed a federal lawsuit against the Trump administration after the White House abruptly froze more than $2.2 billion in federal research funding. 

In a statement released Monday evening (local time), Harvard President Alan Garber declared the funding freeze to be “unlawful and beyond the government’s authority,” arguing that it threatens the foundational principles of academic freedom and institutional independence.

“No government – regardless of which party is in power – should dictate what private universities can teach, whom they can admit and hire, and which areas of study and inquiry they can pursue,” Garber stated.

According to the university, federal support plays a vital role in driving innovation and research in fields such as medicine, technology, and environmental science. Over one-third of research at Harvard relies on federal funding, and the freeze has placed thousands of ongoing and future projects in jeopardy.

Garber emphasised the potential consequences, saying, “Without federal funding, this work will come to a halt midstream, and researchers will lack necessary resources to finish ongoing projects or to finance new ones in the numerous fields Harvard supports.”

The Trump administration’s action followed accusations that elite universities, including Harvard, failed to adequately address alleged antisemitic incidents during protests related to the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict. 

Harvard’s refusal to comply with what it described as “political overreach” led to the immediate suspension of funding – sparking outrage from academic freedom advocates.

The American Council on Education called the freeze “a direct attack on the independence of higher education,” while the American Association of University Professors warned it sets a dangerous precedent.

For 75 years, federal funding has fuelled groundbreaking research at universities nationwide, contributing to advancements in medicine, climate science, and national security. Harvard argues the administration’s move threatens that legacy and risks harming the public good.

“This is not just about Harvard,” Garber noted. “It’s about protecting the role of higher education in a free society.”