The Justice Department announced on Nov. 28, 2025, that Northwestern University plans to restore the hundreds of millions of dollars previously cut from their federal research funding.
Previously, in April of 2025, Northwestern (NU) learned that approximately $790 million of their federal research funding had been frozen, with no plan in place to get it back. This funding freeze caused more than 100 NU graduate programs to receive “stop-work” orders from the department of defense. These past months leading up to the agreement have not gone down without a fight. Henry S. Biene, the interim president at NU said,
“I would not have signed anything that would have given the federal government any say in who we hire, what they teach, who we admit, or what they study.” Henry S. Biene, the interim president at NU said. “To put it simply, Northwestern runs Northwestern.”
This new agreement binds NU to pay the federal government $75 million and to adhere to federal anti-discrimination (prohibits unfair treatment based on protected characteristics such as race, sex or religion) laws on campus which the Trump administration had previously accused NU of violating, claiming there were antisemitic issues on campus. With the agreement in place both sides are committed to being more transparent about the investigations. In exchange, the Trump administration will conclude all ongoing investigations into the university in addition to restoring partial research funding.
University funding is expected to be renewed in the upcoming days and fully restored within 30 days post agreement. NU plans to pay this amount solely from their own funds, excluding those involving private donors “We will find a way to fund this payment that does not come from donor funds.” Biene said. “Their goal is to keep their community supporting them.”
Biene also stated he’s deeply grateful to members of the community, some of whom he has spoken to directly about their concerns and thoughts.
In efforts to abide by the agreement, NU agreed to the 2024 “Deering Meadow Agreement,” which carries the promise to protect and give more support to Muslim, Middle Eastern, North African and Palestine students. In addition, they are reviewing their admission process to help international students familiarize material to help them adapt to campus and get a sense of what life would look like for their college career.
The outcome of NU’s agreement with the Trump administration is being watched by universities nationwide. As many see it as a potential model for navigating political conflict, restoring critical research funding, and protecting the independence of academic institutions facing federal scrutiny.
As Northwestern moves forward with the research funding agreement, university faculty and students are watching closely to see how this new partnership will change, grow and otherwise affect the university in the future. This marks a tremendous step forward in putting the university back on track to discovering new beginnings and academic standing.
“I truly think we are well positioned in 2026 to do the things we do best…..Train the next generation of leaders and push the boundaries of discovery.” Biene said.
