As the Trump administration pulls back billions, Harvard faces a historic financial reckoning

The Trump administration has stepped up its feud with Harvard University in recent days. 

What began as a student-led lawsuit to combat antisemitism has escalated into a standoff that now threatens billions of dollars in federal funding. 

Don’t Miss Out: Get the latest updates – sign up for emails from No Labels.     

Harvard’s defenders say cutting funding hurts research and students, but the federal government says Harvard broke the law, and that has consequences. 

Here’s what’s at stake:

Over two-thirds 

Last year, Harvard received $686 million from the federal government, making up 68% of the university’s grant and contract revenues.
 

11% 

Harvard’s total operating expenses last year – everything from paying professors to conducting research to printing those giant crimson banners – totaled $6.4 billion. Federal funding accounted for just shy of 11% of that spending. 

 

$3 billion 

The Trump administration has paused a total of $3 billion in multi-year grants and contract agreements. It’s reviewing another $6 billion in funding which could be terminated. 

 

46% 

Nearly half (46%) of Harvard’s T.H. Chan School of Public Health’s budget comes from federal grants.  

Dean Andrea Baccarelli says federal funding in the past has led to breakthroughs in treating cancer, Alzheimer’s, and HIV. She estimates that the department’s federal funding has “saved tens of millions of lives around the world.”  

 

$53 billion 

Harvard’s endowment is worth $53 billion, making it the single wealthiest university in the world. For comparison, Massachusetts’ state budget is worth about $58 billion. Former President Barack Obama has urged Harvard to dip into its endowment to withstand President Trump’s funding cuts.  

Looking for the latest in your inbox? Sign up for emails from No Labels.