Trump administration freezes $1 billion in funding for Cornell University, $790 million for Northwestern University

Source: CNN US

Updated 3:30 AM EDT, Wed April 9, 2025


CNN — The Trump administration is freezing $790 million in federal funding to Northwestern University and more than $1 billion in funding to Cornell University, a White House official told CNN. ”The money was frozen in connection with several ongoing, credible, and concerning Title VI investigations,” a Trump administration official said, referring to a federal statute that prohibits discrimination in programs and activities that receive federal funding.

The New York Times first reported the freeze on Northwestern and Cornell funding. The move adds to similar actions the administration has taken against several elite universities, either demanding changes to their diversity, equity and inclusion programs, or in connection with their handling of protests against the war in Gaza.

Cornell is “aware of media reports” about the funding freezing, but has not received information that would confirm the $1 billion figure, it said in a statement. However, the university has received “more than 75 stop work orders from the Department of Defense related to research that is profoundly significant to American national defense, cybersecurity, and health.”

“We are actively seeking information from federal officials to learn more about the basis for these decisions,” the statement said, adding it has “worked diligently to create an environment where all individuals and viewpoints are protected and respected.” In a statement to CNN, Northwestern University said it also found about the funding freeze from the media and hasn’t “received any official notification from the federal government.”

Read more: https://www.cnn.com/2025/04/09/us/cornell-northwestern-federal-funding-freeze/index.html