The Trump administration will direct federal agencies to review their grants to Harvard University to potentially end or redistribute funding, as part of the White House’s escalating battle with America’s oldest university.

The Government Services Agency (GSA) plans to circulate a letter to agencies “asking them to identify any contracts with Harvard, and whether they can be cancelled or redirected elsewhere,” a senior White House official said.

The administration estimates about 30 contracts, collectively worth $100m, could be up for review.

Harvard University did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The White House will not revoke the funds automatically, but rather kick off a review of money Harvard receives from the federal government to determine whether it is – in the administration’s eyes – critical.

GSA will recommend each agency “terminate for convenience each contract that it determines has failed to meet its standards,” and consider reallocating those funds to other entities.

A draft of the letter accuses Harvard of engaging in discrimination and antisemitism as justification for the move.

An administration official told the BBC that potential cuts would not impact hospitals affiliated with Harvard University.

If a federal grant is deemed critical to a particular agency’s functions, they said, that agency could make a case for continued funding.

The White House and Harvard have been locked in a political, legal and financial battle whose stakes have dramatically escalated over the past two months.

Last week, the Trump administration revoked Harvard’s ability to enrol international students or host foreign researchers, prompting mass confusion among thousands of impacted students.

Harvard sued the Trump administration, alleging it has violated the university’s constitutional First Amendment rights as well as federal law.