State Department proposes cuts to research ties with universities over DEI

The State Department is reportedly proposing to suspend 38 universities, including Harvard, Yale and Stanford, from a federal research collaboration program because of their continued involvement in diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives .

According to a Nov. 17 memo first reported by The Guardian, the department is reviewing schools that “openly engage in DEI hiring practices” or maintain DEI-related goals for candidates. Institutions that fall into that category could be cut from the Diplomacy Lab program beginning Jan. 1, 2026.

Top schools reportedly that could be suspended include Stanford University, Yale University, Johns Hopkins University, Duke University and the University of Southern California, according to The Guardian.

Other universities that could face s