What You Need to Know
• Major U.S. universities received $27.6 million from foreign entities on U.S. government watch lists in late 2022.
• Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy Sarah B. Rogers warned universities about potential federal funding consequences.
• A Chinese company linked to the People’s Liberation Army donated over $7 million to three American universities.
Major U.S. universities have received $27.6 million in funding from foreign entities on U.S. government watch lists, according to a review of university funding records submitted to the Department of Education. This funding occurred in the latter half of 2022 and involved dozens of top American research institutions. Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy Sarah B. Rogers sent a letter to 187 Research-1 universities, urging them to exercise increased diligence regarding foreign funding sources. The letter indicated that future grant-making agencies would scrutinize whether institutions accept money from these entities, potentially jeopardizing federal funding. Notably, a Chinese company that develops aeronautics for the People’s Liberation Army contributed over $7 million to three American universities, highlighting concerns about national security in academic partnerships.
Why It Matters
The scrutiny of foreign funding for U.S. universities is part of a broader effort by the U.S. government to safeguard national security. The Department of State and the Department of Education are collaborating to monitor academic partnerships with foreign organizations, particularly those linked to government interests. In recent years, foreign funding to American universities has surged, reaching $1.5 billion in 2022, although this represents less than 2% of total research and development funding. This situation raises important questions about the implications of foreign financial influence on U.S. academic institutions and national security.
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