In a first, MIT rejects Trump’s funding deal on higher education reform

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology ( MIT ) has become the first university to reject a federal proposal aimed at reforming higher education. The Trump administration’s “Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education” offered preferential treatment on federal funding in exchange for significant changes on campus. However, MIT declined to sign the compact, signalling a clear stand on institutional autonomy. Nine universities were invited to join the compact, including Brown University, Dartmouth College, and the University of Texas at Austin. While most institutions have yet to respond or are reviewing the proposal, MIT’s rejection is the first public refusal, highlighting growing concerns among academic leaders. MIT’s response emphasises independence and merit MIT Pre