Trump Administration Freezes Funding to Universities Amid Civil Rights Investigations

The Trump administration has halted over a billion dollars in federal funding to Cornell University and an additional $790 million to Northwestern University. This action follows potential civil rights investigations at both institutions.

According to reports, the funding freeze was confirmed by two administration officials. The freeze impacts grants and contracts associated with various federal departments, including Agriculture, Education, Defense, and Health and Human Services.

Northwestern University stated it had not received official notification from the federal government regarding the freeze. The university emphasized the potential impact, highlighting that federal funds support crucial research initiatives. Northwestern also stated it has fully cooperated with investigations.

The funding freeze follows a similar action taken against Brown University, where over a billion dollars in federal funding was paused due to concerns about the university's response to antisemitism. A White House official confirmed that nearly $510 million awarded to Brown is affected.

President Trump has suspended federal funding to most Ivy League universities, citing investigations into anti-Israel protests on campuses. Columbia University previously lost over $400 million in funding. Additionally, a federal antisemitism task force is reviewing Harvard's grants and contracts, and Princeton University has confirmed the halting of numerous research grants.