The Trump administration has filed an appeal against a court ruling that ordered the release of nearly $2.7 billion in frozen research funding to Harvard University.
The appeal was lodged late Thursday at the US District Court for the District of Massachusetts, challenging a September 3 decision by District Judge Allison D. Burroughs, who ruled in Harvard’s favour on constitutional grounds.
In a brief notice, the Department of Justice said it is appealing final judgments in two related cases — one filed by Harvard and another by the Harvard faculty chapter of the American Association of University Professors. The move shifts the case to the US Court of Appeals for the First Circuit.
Final judgment was entered on October 20, giving both sides 60 days to appeal. The government filed its notice just two days before the deadline, after the White House had earlier vowed to challenge the ruling.
Judge Burroughs had held that the funding freeze violated the US Constitution, describing it as retaliation for protected speech. She ruled that claims of antisemitism were used as a pretext for what she termed an “ideologically motivated assault” on universities and said the administration failed to follow procedures required under Title VI of the 1964 Civil Rights Act.
Harvard filed the lawsuit in April after billions of dollars in federal research funds were cut, arguing the move was punishment for refusing federal demands for oversight of faculty hiring, admissions and internal governance.
Following the ruling, some funds were released. In late September, Harvard researchers received about $46 million in federal grants covering roughly 200 projects, the first release in four months.
Legal experts say the administration may face an uphill battle on appeal. Former Health and Human Services general counsel Samuel R. Bagenstos described the ruling as careful and well-reasoned, expressing doubt it would be overturned.
If the First Circuit rules against the government, its final option would be an appeal to the US Supreme Court. Meanwhile, reports indicate ongoing settlement talks that could involve a payment of up to $500 million, though no agreement has been reached.
