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Pentagon Cuts Ties With Harvard as Trump Administration Tightens Financial Pressure on Ivy League Schools

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Published on February 08, 2026
Pentagon Cuts Ties With Harvard as Trump Administration Tightens Financial Pressure on Ivy League SchoolsSource: Wikipedia/Touch Of Light, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The Pentagon will end its academic and training relationship with Harvard University beginning in the 2026–27 academic year. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced the decision, which will halt military training programs, fellowships, and certificate courses for active-duty service members at the university, according to WHDH.

Under the policy change, service members currently enrolled in Harvard programs will be allowed to complete their studies, but no new participants will be approved going forward. Reuters reported that the Pentagon is also reviewing similar academic partnerships with other universities.

The decision comes amid ongoing tensions between the Trump administration and several Ivy League institutions over campus policies, including responses to pro-Palestinian protests, diversity initiatives, and allegations of antisemitism. Harvard has denied wrongdoing and has challenged some federal actions in court.

Reuters also reported that the Trump administration has withheld federal funding from Harvard and sought financial concessions as part of negotiations to restore support. A proposed settlement reportedly included a $1 billion payment from Harvard, following earlier demands. Other universities have reached separate agreements with the federal government, including Columbia University and Brown University.

The Pentagon’s move marks a change in its long-standing relationship with Harvard, and discussions regarding federal funding and academic partnerships remain ongoing.