Harvard spends nearly $1 million on lobbying under Trump administration over funding and student visas
Harvard University increased its federal lobbying expenditure to nearly $1 million in 2025, the highest level in more than two decades, as it navigated growing financial and regulatory pressure from the Trump administration, according to newly released lobbying disclosures, reported by The Harvard Crimson.
As per the report, the university spent $950,000 on lobbying during the year, exceeding its previous record of $890,000 in 2007. The figure marks a rise of more than 50% from the $620,000 spent in 2024. Of the total, $230,000 was spent between October and December.
Focus on research funding and security
A significant share of Harvard’s lobbying centred on research funding and research security. During the fourth quarter, the University engaged with lawmakers on the October government shutdown, including legislation to prevent future shutdowns and ensure continued agency funding. The disruption temporarily affected agencies such as the National Institutes of Health, which paused data sharing and funding linked to Harvard.
According to the Harvard Crimson report, the university's involvement in discussions around the proposed SAFE Research Act, which would restrict eligibility for US research funding for projects involving collaborators linked to a “hostile foreign entity.” The bill would expand disclosure requirements related to foreign relationships in research. Several major research organisations have warned that the proposal could affect collaboration with international researchers.
In addition, Harvard lobbied on the BIOSECURE Act, signed into law in December 2025. The legislation bans federal funding for certain biomedical research connected to foreign governments and requires institutions to certify compliance with limits on foreign organisations, vendors and research services.
Immigration and international students
Immigration policy was another key area of lobbying. Harvard said it pushed for “a timely and predictable process” for student visa approvals and engaged on policies related to entry into the US and pathways to “permanent resident status or citizenship, including for graduates of US universities.”
International students at Harvard have been the subject of two separate federal actions aimed at limiting their ability to study at the University. Both measures were blocked by a federal judge, though the Trump administration has appealed the decisions.
Endowment tax and broader policy concerns
Harvard also focused on tax reform, particularly changes affecting university endowments. In July, the federal government raised the endowment tax from 1.4 percent to 8 percent for the largest university endowments, including Harvard’s. The higher rate is expected to cost the University around $200 million each year.
The University said its lobbying also covered issues such as foreign gifts and contracts reporting, international graduate students and scholars in STEM fields, data privacy, research transparency and facilities and administrative costs.
Harvard was not alone in increasing its lobbying efforts. Other Ivy League institutions, including Yale, Columbia, the University of Pennsylvania and Cornell, also reported spending more than $1 million on federal lobbying in 2025, underscoring the broader impact of shifting federal policy on higher education.
As per the report, the university spent $950,000 on lobbying during the year, exceeding its previous record of $890,000 in 2007. The figure marks a rise of more than 50% from the $620,000 spent in 2024. Of the total, $230,000 was spent between October and December.
Focus on research funding and security
A significant share of Harvard’s lobbying centred on research funding and research security. During the fourth quarter, the University engaged with lawmakers on the October government shutdown, including legislation to prevent future shutdowns and ensure continued agency funding. The disruption temporarily affected agencies such as the National Institutes of Health, which paused data sharing and funding linked to Harvard.
According to the Harvard Crimson report, the university's involvement in discussions around the proposed SAFE Research Act, which would restrict eligibility for US research funding for projects involving collaborators linked to a “hostile foreign entity.” The bill would expand disclosure requirements related to foreign relationships in research. Several major research organisations have warned that the proposal could affect collaboration with international researchers.
In addition, Harvard lobbied on the BIOSECURE Act, signed into law in December 2025. The legislation bans federal funding for certain biomedical research connected to foreign governments and requires institutions to certify compliance with limits on foreign organisations, vendors and research services.
Immigration and international students
Immigration policy was another key area of lobbying. Harvard said it pushed for “a timely and predictable process” for student visa approvals and engaged on policies related to entry into the US and pathways to “permanent resident status or citizenship, including for graduates of US universities.”
International students at Harvard have been the subject of two separate federal actions aimed at limiting their ability to study at the University. Both measures were blocked by a federal judge, though the Trump administration has appealed the decisions.
Endowment tax and broader policy concerns
Harvard also focused on tax reform, particularly changes affecting university endowments. In July, the federal government raised the endowment tax from 1.4 percent to 8 percent for the largest university endowments, including Harvard’s. The higher rate is expected to cost the University around $200 million each year.
The University said its lobbying also covered issues such as foreign gifts and contracts reporting, international graduate students and scholars in STEM fields, data privacy, research transparency and facilities and administrative costs.
Harvard was not alone in increasing its lobbying efforts. Other Ivy League institutions, including Yale, Columbia, the University of Pennsylvania and Cornell, also reported spending more than $1 million on federal lobbying in 2025, underscoring the broader impact of shifting federal policy on higher education.
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