AL JAZEERA
The Trump administration has frozen over $1 billion in federal funding to Cornell University.
The Trump administration has frozen over $1 billion in federal funding to Cornell University and approximately $790 million to Northwestern University amid investigations into alleged civil rights violations. The suspensions affect grants and contracts from federal departments including Health, Education, Agriculture, and Defense.
Cornell reported receiving more than 75 stop-work orders from the Department of Defense impacting research related to national defense, cybersecurity, and health. University officials said they are seeking further information from federal authorities. Northwestern acknowledged awareness of media reports but stated it had not received official notification. “We are cooperating with the investigation,” a university spokesperson said.
The move is part of a broader crackdown on universities linked to pro-Palestinian campus protests and issues such as diversity initiatives and transgender policies. Columbia University previously had $400 million in funding canceled, and Harvard is under review for $9 billion in federal support.
Critics argue the administration is conflating criticism of Israel with antisemitism, raising concerns over free speech and academic freedom.