HHS seeks to ban Harvard from federal funding in civil rights case
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Campus of Harvard University on September 5, 2025. (Photo by Suzanne Kreiter/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)
The Department of Health and Human Services is referring Harvard University to the agency's office responsible for suspension and debarment decisions over alleged antisemitism inaction, the HHS announced Monday.
Why it matters: If upheld, the move would obstruct Harvard from receiving federal funding or entering into contracts with the federal government.
- Harvard could lose access to hundreds of millions of dollars in annual federal research funding and grants annually.
- The referral underscores how the administration is using civil rights law to enforce compliance across colleges and K-12 schools.
Catch up quick: The new civil rights allegation marks the latest escalation between the Trump administration and Harvard.
- The administration has repeatedly accused Harvard of engaging in discriminative practices and displaying a lack of concern for antisemitic actions — allegations that Harvard has pushed back on.
- In June, the HHS' Office for Civil Rights (OCR) issued a notice of violation, citing Harvard as acting "deliberately indifferent" toward discrimination and persecution of Jewish and Israeli students.
- Shortly after, the Trump administration referred the matter to the Justice Department for possible civil rights enforcement.
- Earlier this month, a federal judge ruled that the administration illegally froze billions of dollars in Harvard's multiyear federal grants and issued an order preventing the government from releasing new freeze orders against the university.
State of play: The OCR's referral to HHS' Suspension and Debarment Program begins a process to determine if Harvard will be deemed ineligible for federal grants and contracts and for how long.
- A suspension is temporary while a case is pending, but a debarment is a longer-term, binding action. Both suspension and debarment apply across all federal agencies.
- Harvard has 20 days notify OCR if it will seek a hearing.
- The HHS' post also flagged a separate, ongoing investigation into the Harvard Law Review over alleged racial discrimination.
What they're saying: "OCR's referral of Harvard for formal administrative proceedings reflects OCR's commitment to safeguard both taxpayer investments and the broader public interest," said Paula M. Stannard, OCR director, in a statement Monday.
- A Harvard spokesperson told Axios in June that the university has taken "substantive, proactive steps" to condemn antisemitism and continues making process to combat "bigotry, hate and bias."
- Representatives for Harvard University did not immediately respond to Axios' Monday evening request for comment.
What's Next: If Harvard requests a hearing, an HHS judge will decide if the university violated Title VI of the Civil Rights Act.
- The Act prohibits discrimination in federally funded programs, including bias tied to Jewish or Israeli identity.
Go deeper: Harvard community pushes back on a deal with Trump
