Brown University faces $510 million funding freeze as Trump administration targets antisemitism on campuses

The Trump administration has announced plans to freeze $510 million in federal funding allocated to Brown University, as part of an ongoing review concerning antisemitism on campus. The freeze is part of a broader campaign targeting US universities accused of mishandling pro-Palestinian protests and failing to adequately protect Jewish students and faculty from discrimination. As of now, Brown University has not confirmed the freeze, though the White House has made it clear that the decision is pending.
Brown joins a growing list of institutions that have been subjected to funding scrutiny under the Trump administration's efforts to address antisemitism. The move comes after similar actions were taken against other prestigious universities, including Columbia University and the University of Pennsylvania. With Brown’s federal funding potentially affected, academic leaders are grappling with how such a freeze could impact research and operations.
Funding freeze and university reaction
The White House has indicated that the freeze will affect federal grants and contracts amounting to $510 million. The decision comes amid increasing pressure on universities to tackle antisemitism, especially in light of protests related to the war in Gaza. As reported by The New York Times, Brown has become the fifth university known to face a potential suspension of substantial federal funding. In the 2024 fiscal year, Brown received approximately $184 million from federal grants and contracts, with the remaining $326 million allocated for other ongoing projects and initiatives.
Brown University’s Provost, Frank Doyle, commented that the institution had no prior knowledge of the freeze and had "no information to substantiate any of these rumours." The university is currently monitoring notifications related to federal grants but has yet to make an official statement regarding the funding freeze, as quoted by The New York Times.
The Trump administration’s stance on university policies
The freeze is part of a broader strategy by the Trump administration to hold universities accountable for alleged antisemitic activities on their campuses. The Education Secretary, Linda McMahon, has been vocal about her concerns regarding what she considers to be left-wing bias at elite universities. "Taxpayer support is a privilege, not a right," she said, emphasising that universities that fail to adhere to civil rights laws could face consequences.
The Trump administration has already targeted several universities, with Columbia University being the first to experience a significant funding suspension, amounting to $400 million, as reported by The New York Times. Other schools, including the University of Pennsylvania, Harvard, and Princeton, have also faced federal scrutiny.
Potential consequences for Brown University
A freeze of $510 million could have serious implications for Brown University. If the freeze is implemented, it will affect various projects, including cutting-edge research in fields like science, medicine, and technology. For reference, the university’s total federal funding for the 2024 fiscal year includes significant amounts dedicated to scientific and medical research. Loss of such funding would threaten Brown's standing as a leader in academic and technological advancements.
As the situation develops, universities across the US are watching closely to see how the freeze on Brown will unfold. Many are concerned that it may set a precedent for further cuts in funding, which could jeopardise academic freedom and the independent operation of higher education institutions across the country.