The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) formally rejected the U.S. Department of Education’s proposal requiring alignment with governmental “priorities” to access federal funding, visa approvals, and preferential tax treatment.

MIT President Sally Kornbluth expressed the university’s disagreement in a letter to Education Secretary Linda McMahon, stating the department’s proposal conflicts with MIT’s core value that “scientific funding should be based on scientific merit alone.”

What they’re saying: Kornbluth emphasized that “America’s leadership in science and innovation depends on independent thinking and open competition for excellence” and MIT “gladly compete[s] with the very best, without preferences.” • She added, “With respect, we cannot support the proposed approach to a

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