Overview

• President Donald Trump said the administration is close to finalizing a settlement under which Harvard would commit about $500 million to fund and operate a series of trade schools focused on AI and other skills.
• Education Secretary Linda McMahon acknowledged the discussions when prompted by Trump, though neither she nor Harvard provided details or confirmation of final terms.
• A federal judge earlier this month ordered more than $2 billion in previously frozen Harvard research grants restored, a significant legal win for the university.
• Recent federal actions include an HHS Office for Civil Rights referral for suspension and debarment over an alleged Title VI violation and a Department of Education move placing Harvard on Heightened Cash Monitoring.
• Comparable agreements this year saw Columbia pay $200 million and accept an independent monitor, while Brown committed $50 million in workforce grants, and negotiations continue with other universities including UCLA, Cornell and Northwestern.