Northwestern University has reached a $75 million agreement with the Trump administration to restore millions in frozen federal research funds and end several federal investigations into the school’s compliance with anti-discrimination laws.
The deal, announced Friday, settles probes by the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Education regarding the university’s practices. It also permanently closes all pending investigations by the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division into potential violations of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, which prohibits discrimination based on race in admissions.
In April, the administration froze $790 million in federal grants and research contracts, making Northwestern the first non-Ivy League school to face such a move amid concerns over civil rights compliance and the university’s handling of antisemitism on campus.
Northwestern expects federal funding to resume within days and be fully restored within 30 days. Interim University President Henry Bienen said the agreement was made carefully and in line with institutional values.
“This is not an agreement the University enters into lightly, but one that was made based on institutional values,” Bienen said. He emphasized that the university maintained key “red lines,” retaining control over hiring decisions and student admissions. “Northwestern runs Northwestern. Period,” he added.
Under the settlement, Northwestern will form a special committee within its Board of Trustees to ensure compliance with the agreement. The university also agreed to uphold federal anti-discrimination laws and maintain safe, fair opportunities for women. This includes providing single-sex housing when requested, as well as all-female sports teams, locker rooms, and shower facilities.
Additionally, Northwestern committed to taking further steps to protect Jewish members of its community, signaling an emphasis on campus safety and inclusion.
Former Northwestern President Michael Schill, who resigned in September, testified before a House education panel last year regarding the university’s handling of student protests. Republicans criticized Schill’s negotiations with students advocating for the removal of pro-Palestinian encampments. Schill defended his decisions, stating he rejected demands to let the encampments remain and declined to divest from companies supporting Israel.
The settlement represents a major resolution for Northwestern, ending multiple federal investigations while securing the return of critical research funding. The agreement also highlights the university’s focus on balancing compliance with federal regulations while preserving institutional autonomy.
As federal funds begin to flow again, the university signals a renewed focus on academic research, campus safety, and upholding civil rights commitments. This deal marks a rare instance where a large non-Ivy League university has successfully negotiated a high-profile federal settlement without compromising core operational independence.
