Overview

• Harvard would pay up to $500 million to restore access to billions in federal grants after a funding freeze imposed in April
• The proposed deal draws on Columbia’s $221 million agreement reached earlier this month, but the administration is pushing for a higher payment
• University leaders prefer structuring the funds into compliance investments rather than making a direct payment to the federal government
• Harvard’s lawsuit against the administration over the funding cuts, which argues the freeze violates its First Amendment rights, remains active amid settlement discussions
• White House spokesman Harrison W. Fields has insisted the university must curb campus antisemitism, restrict certain DEI activities, and uphold students’ civil liberties