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Justice Probe Targets Harvard Chinese Donor Scholarships

8/21/2026

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Summary

Story summary

The U.S. government cut NIH grants to Harvard University, funding about 18% below Biden-era levels.
The Pentagon ordered 30 U.S. universities, including Harvard and MIT, to review Chinese ties and report by 31 August.
The Justice Department is probing whether Harvard let Chinese donors create scholarships that exclude American students.
Thirty-six universities filed a July 22 amicus brief urging the First Circuit to reject the funding terminations.

History

Historical Context

Following the Justice Department’s China Initiative launched in November 2018 by Attorney General Jeff Sessions, Pentagon audits hit 30 universities and NIH funding fell roughly 18%, drawing criticism from the Committee of 100. Though the program ended in February 2022, the DOJ’s current probe of Harvard’s donor-restricted scholarships—backed by an amicus brief from 36 schools—keeps U.S.–China academic ties under intense scrutiny.

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Story summary

The U.S. government cut NIH grants to Harvard University, funding about 18% below Biden-era levels.
The Pentagon ordered 30 U.S. universities, including Harvard and MIT, to review Chinese ties and report by 31 August.
The Justice Department is probing whether Harvard let Chinese donors create scholarships that exclude American students.
Thirty-six universities filed a July 22 amicus brief urging the First Circuit to reject the funding terminations.

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