The Trump administration has announced a freeze on over $1.79 billion in federal funding allocated to two prestigious universities — Cornell University and Northwestern University.
A White House official confirmed the decision, citing ongoing Title VI investigations, which examine potential discrimination in programs that receive federal funding.
The funding freeze is part of a broader government effort to scrutinize universities’ diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, as well as their handling of student protests, particularly those related to the war in Gaza.
The Trump administration has already targeted other elite institutions for similar concerns, including Harvard and Brown University.
Cornell University, while acknowledging media reports about the freeze, has not received official confirmation of the $1 billion figure.
However, the university confirmed that it had received over 75 “stop work orders” from the Department of Defence, affecting critical research tied to national defense, cybersecurity, and public health.
In response, Cornell expressed its intent to seek clarification from federal officials while emphasizing its commitment to fostering an inclusive environment where diverse viewpoints are welcomed.
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Similarly, Northwestern University learnt of the freeze through media reports and stated it has not yet received formal notification from the government.
The university highlighted the importance of federal funding for crucial research projects, such as the development of a groundbreaking pacemaker and advancements in Alzheimer’s disease treatment.
The university expressed concern that these efforts may now be jeopardized.
The freeze follows a broader investigation launched by the Department of Education in March, which opened Title VI probes into 45 universities, focusing on whether racial preferences and stereotypes have been used in educational programs. The department has urged universities to comply with civil rights obligations and address any potential violations.
In addition to the frozen funds, other universities such as Brown, Harvard, Princeton, and Columbia have faced similar funding cuts or scrutiny as the administration continues its push to reform DEI practices and campus protest responses.
This has left universities in a state of uncertainty, as they seek to balance their commitment to inclusion with the government’s increasing demands.
