The U.S. government has frozen federal funding for Cornell and Northwestern universities as part of an investigation into how both schools are handling pro-Palestinian protests on campus.
The action is part of a wider campaign by President Donald Trump’s administration targeting universities seen as failing to control what officials claim is rising antisemitism.
Cornell faces a freeze on over $1 billion in grants and contracts, while Northwestern is seeing $790 million paused, according to a U.S. official who spoke on condition of anonymity. These funds primarily cover research and development projects supported by departments such as health, defense, agriculture, and education.
The crackdown follows weeks of campus demonstrations condemning Israel’s military actions in Gaza, which protesters describe as genocide. The Trump administration, however, has labeled many of these actions antisemitic and linked them to support for Hamas — a group designated as a terrorist organization by the United States.
Cornell confirmed it received Defense Department orders to halt work on projects related to health, cybersecurity, and military research. Northwestern stated that it is still waiting for official notification and is cooperating with federal inquiries. The school emphasized that the freeze jeopardizes critical medical research, including breakthroughs like a newly developed miniature pacemaker and studies focused on Alzheimer’s disease.
This isn’t the first instance of funding blocks linked to campus protests. Last month, Columbia University lost $400 million in federal support after being identified as a central location for student demonstrations. Federal agents have also detained foreign student protesters and begun revoking student visas. Harvard and Princeton are currently under review, with specific conditions imposed to maintain access to federal funds.
The administration’s actions have drawn sharp criticism from free speech and civil rights groups, who say peaceful protest and criticism of foreign governments should not result in academic or legal punishment. Many advocacy organizations — including Jewish groups — argue that opposing Israeli policies in Gaza does not equate to antisemitism.
As the conflict in Gaza continues to fuel global outrage, U.S. universities are being drawn into a political firestorm. The federal funding freeze signals a new phase in the government’s response, one that could reshape the future of research, academic freedom, and campus activism nationwide.