A Harvard professor whose federal research funding was frozen by the Trump administration has spoken out, calling the decision a serious threat to academic freedom and scientific progress. The professor, who specializes in public health and social equity, said the suspension not only disrupts critical research but also sends a dangerous message about political interference in higher education.
The Trump administration recently froze over $2.3 billion in federal grants to Harvard after the university refused to comply with demands to eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, reduce the admission of international students, and increase cooperation with immigration authorities. Harvard President Alan Garber strongly rejected those demands, stating the university would not compromise its independence or constitutional rights.
In an interview, the affected professor emphasized that the freeze impacts ongoing research that serves vulnerable communities and is meant to inform national health policy. “This is about more than just one grant or one professor,” they said. “It’s about whether science can remain free from political control.”
The funding freeze is part of a broader crackdown by the Trump administration on elite academic institutions. Other universities, including Columbia and Princeton, have also faced threats to their funding and tax-exempt status. Critics argue the administration’s actions represent an abuse of federal authority and an attempt to politicize academic institutions.
Academic leaders and civil rights groups have rallied in support of Harvard, warning that these measures could have a chilling effect across the entire education system. Legal challenges to the funding suspension are expected, as the situation raises broader concerns about the future of research independence and the role of government in shaping university policy.
