HHS Bars Harvard from Federal Funding: 4 Key Points
- The U.S.Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) referred Harvard university to the Office of the General Counsel for suspension and debarment proceedings on September 29, 2024.
- If the proceedings result in a debarment, Harvard could be barred from receiving federal funding, impacting research grants, student financial aid, and other federal programs.
- The OCR investigation focused on incidents occurring on Harvard's campus since October 7, 2023.
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Harvard university Faces Potential Federal Funding Ban Over Antisemitism Investigation
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The U.S.Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) referred Harvard university to the Office of the General Counsel for suspension and debarment proceedings on September 29, 2024. This action stems from findings by the HHS Office for Civil Rights (OCR) regarding the university’s handling of alleged antisemitic harassment on its Cambridge, Massachusetts campus following the October 7, 2023 attacks in Israel.
If the proceedings result in a debarment, Harvard could be barred from receiving federal funding, impacting research grants, student financial aid, and other federal programs. The HHS stated the university demonstrated “deliberate indifference” to the harassment, violating Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination based on race, color, or national origin – a protection extended to include antisemitism.
Investigation Findings and Allegations
The OCR investigation focused on incidents occurring on Harvard’s campus since October 7, 2023. The agency found that Harvard did not adequately respond to reports of antisemitic harassment targeting Jewish and israeli students. The specific nature of the harassment wasn’t detailed in the HHS release, but the agency’s determination of “deliberate indifference” suggests a pattern of inaction or insufficient response to reported incidents.
Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits discrimination based on race, color, or national origin in programs and activities receiving federal financial assistance. The HHS has increasingly applied this law to address antisemitism and Islamophobia on college campuses, recognizing that thes forms of discrimination can be based on shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics. The Department of Justice provides further data on Title VI.
Harvard’s Response and next Steps
Harvard has 20 days from September 29, 2024, to request a formal administrative hearing to contest the allegations. If Harvard requests a hearing, the HHS will proceed with a formal process to determine whether the university violated Title VI and whether suspension or debarment is warranted. The university has not yet issued a public statement regarding the referral as of this writing.
The suspension and debarment process allows the government to exclude entities from federal contracts and grants when their conduct is deemed contrary to the public interest. This is a significant step, as Harvard receives ample federal funding for research and other programs.
Impact of Potential Funding Ban
A federal funding ban could have a substantial impact on Harvard University. In fiscal year 2023, Harvard received approximately $668 million in federal research funding, according to the university’s own reporting. Harvard Gazette reported this figure. This funding supports a wide range of research initiatives, including medical research, scientific studies, and humanities projects.
| Funding Source | FY23 Funding (approx.) |
|---|---|
| National Institutes of Health (NIH) | $530 million |
| National Science Foundation (NSF) | $80 million |
| Department of defense (DoD) | $30 million |
| Other Federal Agencies | $28 million |
Beyond research, a funding ban could affect student financial aid