Federal Agencies Scrutinize $9 Billion in Harvard Contracts Over Antisemitism Concerns

Three federal agencies are currently examining approximately $9 billion worth of contracts and grants involving the government and Harvard University, focusing on how the university has handled issues related to antisemitism.

On Monday, the Departments of Education, Health and Human Services, along with the U.S. General Services Administration, declared that they are examining $8.7 billion in grants and over $255 million in contracts involving Harvard, its subsidiaries, and the federal government, as stated in an official press release.

"Harvard has long stood as an emblem of the American Dream—a top ambition for students globally who aspire to work diligently and gain acceptance into this prestigious university," stated Secretary of Education Linda McMahon.

Harvard’s inability to shield students from anti-Semitic discrimination on campus—while prioritizing contentious doctrines over open investigation—has severely jeopardized its standing. The university can rectify this situation and revert to being an institution focused on scholarly achievement and the pursuit of truth, ensuring safety for every student.

This review represents the most recent initiative by a federal task force aimed at addressing antisemitism on university grounds following several prominent events across the nation, triggered by the conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.

Harvard University President Alan Garber stated that revoking the funding would "stop critical life-saving studies and jeopardize significant scientific advancements and innovations."

He mentioned that Harvard has been tackling antisemitism on campus over the last 15 months, however, he noted that more efforts were needed.

We will interact with the federal government’s task force against antisemitism to make sure they receive a comprehensive report on our past efforts and future plans to tackle this issue, Garber stated in an official release .

A few days prior to the release of the review, approximately 800 professors at Harvard signed a letter addressed to the Harvard Corporation and Board of Overseers. In this correspondence, they urged the institution to reject pressures from the Trump administration and openly denounce assaults on American higher education institutions.

The letter states, “Continuing assaults on American colleges and universities endanger fundamental tenets of a democratic society, such as the freedoms of speech, assembly, and investigation.”

The letter specified three requests: a formal denunciation from the public regarding the government's assaults on higher education institutions, initiating legal action against any threats that compromise the university's autonomy, and collaborating with other educational institutions as well as Harvard’s alumni associations to combat these "attacks on democracy."

Last week, Columbia University announced policy changes in response to the Trump administration’s revocation of $400 million in federal funding following campus protests.

"Columbia University’s adherence to the prerequisites set by the Task Force marks just the initial phase in restoring its rapport not only with the government but, most critically, with its student body and staff," stated the officials from Education Department, Health and Human Services, and General Services Administration. said In a statement at the time, they referred to Columbia’s actions as a “promising initial move.”

Last week, an acting dean removed both the director and their deputy from Harvard’s Center for Middle Eastern Studies due to what was described as "an imbalance" in programs focusing on Palestine, as reported by the Harvard chapter of the American Association of University Professors.

Considering the extensive variety of programs organized by the Center for Middle Eastern Studies during the last three years, it is concerning that the university might remove the center’s leadership due to hosting two recent events which were deemed insufficiently 'balanced,' according to an AAUP statement.

Earlier this month, the Anti-Defamation League issued an updated report card evaluating how U.S. universities tackle anti-Semitism and safeguard Jewish students.

Harvard University got a C grade, advancing two levels. from an F the year before.

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