NSF Freezes New Funding for Duke, Harvard, Princeton, and Yale Amidst Trump Administration's Higher Education Scrutiny
The National Science Foundation (NSF) has implemented a freeze on new funding for four prestigious universities: Duke, Harvard, Princeton, and Yale. This decision, reported by Nature, is part of the Trump administration's broader strategy of using funding freezes to target higher education institutions. As of April 9, the NSF has placed a 'hold' on future awards to these universities, significantly reducing the number of new grants allocated. In 2024, these institutions collectively received 218 new NSF grants, but this fiscal year, they have only been awarded 13 new grants, with none going to Duke or Harvard since the freeze began. The NSF's Office of Award Management has paused 33 proposals from researchers at these universities, with the average proposal processing time extending from the usual 10 days to 91 days. The reasons for targeting these specific institutions remain unclear, as the NSF has declined to comment on the matter. 
