Harvard University has announced a $250 million investment to sustain vital research programs in the face of steep federal funding cuts imposed by the Trump administration.
The move follows a sweeping $2.6 billion reduction in government grants to the Ivy League institution, citing alleged discriminatory practices and refusal to comply with federal oversight mandates. The cuts, which Harvard is actively challenging in court, have already suspended or canceled dozens of projects—some of which were considered critical to public health and technological innovation.

University President Alan Garber and Provost John Manning issued a joint statement on Wednesday, emphasizing the urgent need to protect research initiatives. “While we cannot fully offset the financial blow from halted federal support, we are committed to backing essential research during this transitional period,” they said. The university is also working with faculty to secure alternative funding channels.

Harvard has strongly criticized the federal measures, calling the termination of grants “unlawful” and accusing the administration of interfering with academic independence. The university contends that the loss of funding not only halts groundbreaking work but also threatens years of scientific progress.

At the heart of the dispute is a broader political clash over university governance. Harvard, whose endowment reached $53.2 billion in 2024, has become a focal point of the Trump administration’s efforts to reshape higher education policy. The White House has demanded greater control over admissions, hiring, and the political climate on campus—demands Harvard has resisted.

The administration has defended the funding freeze as part of a broader campaign to address what it characterizes as pervasive anti-Semitism on campuses and to roll back diversity programs. Critics argue these moves are part of a larger effort to suppress progressive academic culture and penalize dissent over U.S. foreign policy, especially in light of recent student protests against the war in Gaza.

In recent weeks, federal authorities have also taken steps to revoke visas of international students involved in these demonstrations, accusing them of ties to militant organizations—allegations civil rights groups and university leaders have strongly disputed.

With tensions between the federal government and top academic institutions mounting, Harvard’s legal challenge could set a precedent for how universities navigate political interference while safeguarding research, free speech, and academic autonomy.

As America’s population ages faster than ever before, a team of engineers at MIT is turning to robotics to meet the growing eldercare crisis. Their latest invention, the Elderly Bodily Assistance Robot—or E-BAR—aims to provide critical physical support to seniors navigating life at home, potentially reducing the risk of injury and relieving pressure on a strained care system.

The innovation comes at a time when the United States faces a dramatic demographic shift. The nation’s median age has climbed to 38.9, nearly ten years older than in 1980. By 2050, the number of adults over 65 is projected to surge from 58 million to 82 million. As demand for care rises, the country is simultaneously grappling with shortages in care workers, escalating healthcare costs, and evolving family structures that leave many elderly adults without daily support.

“Eldercare is the next great challenge,” said Roberto Bolli, a graduate student in MIT’s Department of Mechanical Engineering and one of E-BAR’s lead designers, in a media statement. “All the demographic trends point to a shortage of caregivers, a surplus of elderly persons, and a strong desire for elderly persons to age in place.”

E-BAR is designed to address exactly that challenge. The mobile robot acts as a robotic support system, following a user from behind and offering both steadying handlebars and rapid intervention in case of a fall. It can support a person’s full weight and includes side airbags that inflate instantly to catch users if they begin to fall—without requiring them to wear any equipment or harnesses.

“Many older adults underestimate the risk of fall and refuse to use physical aids, which are cumbersome, while others overestimate the risk and may not exercise, leading to declining mobility,” said Harry Asada, the Ford Professor of Engineering at MIT, in a media statement. “Our design concept is to provide older adults having balance impairment with robotic handlebars for stabilizing their body. The handlebars go anywhere and provide support anytime, whenever they need.”

The robot consists of a heavy, 220-pound base equipped with omnidirectional wheels, allowing it to maneuver easily through typical home spaces. From its base, articulated bars extend and adjust to assist users in standing or sitting, and the handlebars provide a natural, unrestrictive grip. In testing, E-BAR successfully helped an older adult complete everyday movements such as bending, reaching, and even stepping over the edge of a bathtub.

“Seeing the technology used in real-life scenarios is really exciting,” said Bolli.

The team’s design, which will be presented later this month at the IEEE Conference on Robotics and Automation (ICRA), aims to eliminate the physical constraints and stigmas often associated with eldercare devices. Their approach prioritizes both independence and safety—key values for aging Americans seeking to remain in their homes longer.

While E-BAR currently operates via remote control, the team plans to add autonomous capabilities and streamline the device’s design for home and facility use. The researchers are also exploring ways to integrate fall-prediction algorithms, developed in a parallel project in Asada’s lab, to adapt robotic responses based on a user’s real-time risk level.

“Eldercare conditions can change every few weeks or months,” Asada noted. “We’d like to provide continuous and seamless support as a person’s disability or mobility changes with age.”

As the nation prepares for the realities of an aging population, MIT’s work offers a glimpse into a future where robotics play a central role in eldercare—enhancing both quality of life and personal dignity for millions of older adults.

In a landmark moment for Indian innovation, 17-year-old Japteg Singh Bamrah, a Class 12 student at Dalhousie Public School, has won the prestigious HonorsGradU 2025 Scholarship, earning global recognition for his sustainable energy innovation—the Solar Mech Engine.

Bamrah is one of just five winners worldwide of the “Build a Better Future” Award, organized by U.S.-based nonprofit Honors Graduation. The scholarship program celebrates student-led projects that aim to solve real-world challenges with innovation and impact. Japteg’s Solar Mech Engine was recognized as the top technology entry among thousands of global submissions.

“This is a proud moment not just for me, but for India and young innovators everywhere,” said Japteg in a press statement.

Under the mentorship of Dr. Nasir Ul Rasheed, Senior Scientist at CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (IIIM), Jammu, Japteg developed his project through the CSIR Jigyasa Hackathon initiative—an effort to nurture grassroots science and innovation in school students. The Solar Mech Engine, which also clinched top honours at the Jigyasa Hackathon 2024, operates as a standalone solar thermal system based on Concentrated Heat and Power (CHP) technology.

The innovation harnesses the principles of air expansion and contraction due to temperature changes to convert solar heat into mechanical energy. It features a low-resistance generator that uses electromagnetic induction for direct mechanical-to-electrical energy conversion. What makes it particularly unique is its reversible heat pump capability, allowing it to both generate and store energy with high efficiency.

Japteg showcased his invention at the National Startup Festival held at CSIR-IIIM Jammu in February 2025, where he presented the Solar Mech Engine to Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of Science and Technology and Vice President of CSIR. Dr. Singh lauded the project as a shining example of India’s Start-Up India, Stand-Up India mission, stating, “It’s innovations like these that embody the spirit of self-reliance and technological progress envisioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.”

“This achievement breaks new ground. Japteg is the first and only student from India to top this global competition since its inception in 2012,” said Dr. Rasheed in a press statement. “It highlights the untapped potential of young minds when given the right support and opportunities.”

As part of his award, Japteg receives a $10,000 scholarship toward his undergraduate studies in the United States and an additional $5,000 to further develop and scale his invention. With offers from more than ten leading universities across the U.S., Australia, and Canada—and additional scholarships totaling $16,000 per year—Japteg is now preparing for the next phase of his academic journey.

The Solar Mech Engine is more than a student project—it represents a scalable clean-energy solution that aligns with global sustainability goals. CSIR-IIIM’s backing underscores the importance of institutional support in converting youthful ideas into transformative technologies.

With a total grant package of $31,000, Japteg Singh Bamrah is poised to take his innovation to the next level while pursuing his education at a top international university. His journey from a school laboratory in Himachal Pradesh to the global stage is a testament to the power of curiosity, mentorship, and vision in building a better, greener future.