The National Institutes of Health (NIH) announced new rules banning medical research grants for universities with Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) programs or that have implemented boycotts of Israeli goods or companies. The new rules came in a policy notice on Monday, April 21.
What does the memo say?
The notice says that the NIH “reserves the right to terminate financial assistance and recover all funds” if universities receiving the grants do not adhere to federal policy banning DEI studies and “prohibited boycotts.” The guidelines are for “domestic recipients of new, renewal, supplement, or continuation awards,” according to the NIH memo.
Why is the Trump administration imposing restrictions?
The move is similar to a previous funding freeze imposed by the Trump administration on Harvard and Columbia over DEI initiatives and what the White House says was a lack of response to antisemitism on their campuses following pro-Palestinian protests last year.
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Harvard filed a lawsuit on Monday challenging the Trump administration’s funding freeze and other illegal actions.
Harvard University President Alan M. Garber warned in a letter that the administration’s actions “have stark real-life consequences for patients, students, faculty, staff, researchers and the standing of American higher education in the world.”
How much money is at stake for Harvard?
The Harvard Crimson, a student-run publication, reports that of the institution’s $686 million in federal research funding, $488 million came from NIH in fiscal year 2024. The Harvard Crimson also noted that Harvard is likely to be the hardest hit by the funding freeze.
Have other actions been taken against Harvard?
As Straight Arrow News recently reported, the Trump administration also froze $2.2 billion in federal grants and contracts to Harvard, citing Harvard’s response to pro-Palestinian protests on campus last year.
Researchers warn the funding freeze threatens potentially life-saving research on diseases like tuberculosis and ALS and may lead to layoffs as key programs are slashed.
Harvard biology professor Benjamin L. de Bivort said in a statement to The Crimson on the latest funding freeze, “Private funding and the traditional model cannot come close to closing the gaps.” De Bivort warned some initiatives for young scientists may face further cuts as they are not eligible for private funding.
What is the administration’s goal?
A Department of Health and Human Services official told CNN the agency’s goal is to cut off funding to research that doesn’t fit with the Trump administration’s NIH or HHS vision as well as to halt grants for potential recipients it alleges do not follow federal anti-discrimination laws.
