What Harvard could lose in its battle with the Trump administration
Harvard University is embroiled in a major conflict with the Trump administration, which has frozen $2.2 billion in federal research grants and $60 million in contracts to the institution. This funding freeze threatens to severely disrupt Harvard’s critical research projects across multiple fields, including cancer, infectious diseases, and spaceflight, as federal funding constitutes about 68% of Harvard’s sponsored research revenue ($686 million in fiscal year 2024).
The Trump administration’s actions stem from allegations that Harvard has tolerated antisemitism and political activism on campus, and its demands include sweeping changes to Harvard’s leadership, governance, and policies, such as disciplining protesters and screening international students for hostility to American values. Harvard has rejected these demands, asserting that they violate its First Amendment rights and constitutional protections, and that the government is overstepping its authority by trying to control a private university.
Harvard has responded by borrowing $750 million from Wall Street to prepare for the financial impact, but faculty and researchers are already expressing despair over the potential halt in their work due to the funding cuts. The university’s refusal to comply has made it the first major institution to openly defy the administration’s demands, potentially inspiring other universities to resist similar pressures.
Beyond Harvard, the dispute poses broader risks to the United States’ leadership in global scientific and technological innovation, as federal funding is a key driver of research breakthroughs. The standoff also tests the limits of federal power over university autonomy and raises concerns about politicizing academic institutions.
Additionally, the Department of Homeland Security has warned that Harvard could lose its ability to enroll foreign students if it does not meet federal demands, further complicating the university’s position.
Harvard risks losing:
Billions in federal research funding, threatening critical scientific projects and innovation.
Its autonomy and constitutional protections if it yields to government demands.
The ability to enroll foreign students if it fails to comply with federal requirements.
Its leadership role in American and global higher education.
The Trump administration risks undermining the independence of U.S. universities and damaging the country’s scientific competitiveness by leveraging federal funding as a political tool.
