Northwestern University President Resigns Amid $790M Federal Funding Freeze

Michael Schill, president of Northwestern University since 2022, announced his resignation amid significant budget challenges caused by a freeze on nearly $800 million in federal research funding by President Donald Trump's administration. The funding was withheld following Republican criticisms over the university's handling of antisemitism allegations during campus protests related to the Gaza conflict. Schill cited the need for new leadership to navigate these difficulties and safeguard the university's research mission, academic freedom, and integrity. He will remain in his position until an interim president is appointed by the university’s Board of Trustees. In response to the funding freeze, Northwestern plans to self-fund research projects to continue its mission. The Trump administration expressed willingness to work with Northwestern’s new leadership going forward.