The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has terminated $60m in federal grants to Harvard University, citing the school’s failure to address antisemitic harassment and racial discrimination.

In a statement on X, HHS said federal funding must go to institutions that “protect all students” and will not tolerate discrimination, Al Jazeera reported.

The move is part of a broader conflict between President Donald Trump’s administration and elite universities, following pro-Palestinian protests on campuses. Trump has called the demonstrations antisemitic, while student organizers say they are peaceful protests against Israel’s actions in Gaza.

Harvard rejected federal demands for disciplinary changes, removal of diversity programs, and external oversight, arguing they would compromise academic independence, according to Al Jazeera.

In response to the funding cut, Harvard has allocated $250m from its own funds to support affected research and has filed a lawsuit, claiming the cuts violate the First Amendment and federal law.