Harvard University has announced it will resume applying for federal funding from a specific program within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). This decision comes after a two-year pause initiated when the university lost a major legal battle.
The funding halt stemmed from a 2019 Trump administration rule that tied grants to a specific interpretation of religious freedom. Harvard had suspended its applications from the HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health, which administers millions in grants, after the Supreme Court declined to hear its challenge to the rule in 2023.
The university stated its decision to re-engage is based on a review of recent court rulings and updated guidance from the Biden administration. These changes, Harvard believes, provide greater clarity and sufficient protection for its nondiscrimination policies. The school emphasized its commitment to ensuring all students, including LGBTQ+ students, feel safe and supported.
This move signals a potential thaw in the conflict between some academic institutions and federal grant requirements over issues of religious liberty and campus inclusivity.
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