Instant Insight

30-Second Take

• The Trump administration is investigating 45 colleges for alleged racial discrimination related to their partnerships with the Ph.D. Project.
• The Ph.D. Project, which supports underrepresented groups in business doctoral programs, is accused of limiting eligibility based on race.
• The investigations are part of a broader campaign to end diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs in higher education.

Quick Brief

2-Minute Digest

Essential Context

The Trump administration has launched investigations into 45 colleges and universities, alleging they engaged in “race-exclusionary practices” by partnering with the Ph.D. Project. This nonprofit organization has been supporting students from underrepresented groups in earning doctoral degrees in business for nearly 30 years.

Core Players

• Donald Trump – President Trump
• Linda McMahon – U.S. Secretary of Education
• The Ph.D. Project – Nonprofit organization supporting underrepresented groups in business doctoral programs
• Involved Universities – 45 institutions including Arizona State, Ohio State, Yale, Cornell, Duke, and MIT

Key Numbers

• 45 – Number of universities under investigation
• 6 – Additional universities investigated for awarding “impermissible race-based scholarships” and one for “administering a program that segregates students on the basis of race”
• $2 billion – Funding cuts for the Department of Education
• 30 years – Duration of the Ph.D. Project’s support for underrepresented groups

Full Depth

Complete Coverage

The Catalyst

The Trump administration’s investigations were triggered by a February 14 memo from the Education Department, which warned schools and colleges that they could lose federal funding if they continued to use “race-based preferences” in admissions, scholarships, or any aspect of student life. This memo followed a 2023 Supreme Court decision that barred colleges from using race as a factor in admissions.

“Students must be assessed according to merit and accomplishment, not prejudged by the color of their skin,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon.

Inside Forces

The Education Department’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) is conducting the investigations under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination based on race, color, or national origin in education programs receiving federal funding. The OCR alleges that the Ph.D. Project limits eligibility based on the race of participants, thereby engaging in “race-exclusionary practices.”

Universities like Ohio State have responded, stating they do not discriminate on the basis of race or any other protected class and that their PhD programs are open to all qualified applicants.

Power Dynamics

The Trump administration’s actions reflect a broader strategy to dismantle diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs across higher education. This move aligns with some Trump allies’ efforts to reinterpret Civil Rights-era laws to focus on “anti-white racism” rather than discrimination against people of color.

The administration has also targeted other aspects of higher education, including cutting funding for teacher training programs deemed “divisive” and investigating universities for alleged anti-Semitism and sex-based discrimination.

Outside Impact

The investigations have significant broader implications, as they could lead to the loss of federal funding for the affected universities. This could impact not only the universities’ financial stability but also their ability to sustain staffing, finance student tuition, and maintain facilities.

Additionally, the cuts in funding for education research and grants could severely impact the scientific research departments within these universities, potentially leading to their collapse.

Future Forces

The outcome of these investigations will likely set a precedent for how higher education institutions approach diversity and inclusion initiatives. If the universities are found to be in violation of Title VI, they could face severe financial penalties.

The legal battles surrounding these investigations, including challenges from teachers’ unions, will continue to shape the educational landscape. The Trump administration’s push to eliminate the Department of Education entirely adds another layer of uncertainty to the future of federal education policy.

Data Points

• February 14, 2025: Education Department issues memo warning schools about “race-based preferences.”
• March 14, 2025: Investigations into 45 universities announced.
• 2023: Supreme Court decision bars colleges from using race in admissions.
• $1.9 billion: Cuts in contracts with education nonprofits.
• $600 million: Grants lost for teacher training in “divisive ideologies.”