A coalition of prominent US universities known as the Big Ten Academic Alliance has forged a formal pact to defend one another against political and legal attacks under the Trump administration. The move comes amid intensifying government scrutiny, which has targeted numerous institutions for continuing to support diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives and regarding pro-Palestinian activism on campus.

The Big Ten Academic Alliance, comprising 18 major public and private universities, has long been considered a model of inter-institutional cooperation in American higher education. For over 50 years, member universities have collaborated to advance their academic missions, share resources, and serve the public good.

The 18 member universities of the Big Ten Academic Alliance include the University of Illinois, Indiana University, University of Iowa, University of Maryland, University of Michigan, Michigan State University, University of Minnesota, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Northwestern University, Ohio State University, University of Oregon, Pennsylvania State University, Purdue University, Rutgers University-New Brunswick, UCLA, USC, University of Washington, and University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Recently, the group has evolved, vowing to protect any member university targeted politically. The institutions have pledged to mobilise legal teams, policy experts, and lobbying efforts to support one another. This renewed sense of solidarity follows a wave of federal investigations announced in March 2025, in which the Trump administration warned 60 universities of potential enforcement actions after recent pro-Palestinian protests.

Multiple academic staff are currently under criminal investigation due to their criticisms of Israel, an example being a professor at Indiana University, who is reportedly under investigation for breaching new “intellectual diversity” mandates outlined under Indiana’s Senate Enrolled Act 202. 

In response to the actions taken by the Big Ten, other research institutions outside the Alliance have also begun organising. Over 400 faculty and community members at Yale rallied in protest last week, calling on university leaders to resist federal pressures undermining academic freedom. The demonstration formed part of a national day of action led by the American Association of University Professors.

Harvard has also come under attack, facing demands from the Trump administration to audit its leadership and student body on their views regarding diversity, to ban face coverings, and to withdraw recognition from any student groups accused of promoting criminal activity or harassment.