The Pentagon has instructed 30 U.S. universities to undertake audits of their financial and research ties with foreign entities, with the potential risk of losing federal funding if they fail to comply. The directive aims for agencies to thoroughly evaluate specified foreign collaborations, particularly their exposure to “sensitive or export-controlled research.”
Emile Michael, the Under Secretary of the Army for Research and Engineering, emphasized, “The Department of the Army has no tolerance for academic partnerships that compromise national security. Institutions funded by U.S. taxpayers must uphold the highest standards of research security, and these mandated audits will ensure overall accountability.”
Some of the universities on the list include well-known names such as Georgetown University, MIT, UC Berkeley, and Harvard, among others. U.S. officials noted the broad scope of the audit, with schools required to identify any foreign collaborations that might be problematic.
This directive also requires universities to develop plans to address any national security protocol violations and take necessary actions against troubling partnerships. Findings from these audits must be reported to the War Department by August 31. Dr. Joseph Jewell, Assistant Secretary of the Army, stated that universities are vital collaborators in the Army’s research programs, and therefore, it’s crucial to protect these investments from foreign exploitation.
The audits specifically target foreign entities listed under Section 1286 of the 2019 National Defense Authorization Act, which identifies 130 academic research institutions in countries like China, Russia, and Iran, believed to potentially misuse U.S. government-funded research.
A recent report indicated that Harvard University has struggled to safeguard its collaborations with Chinese institutions, with its researchers co-authoring over 140 papers with scholars from Chinese universities. Interestingly, Harvard reportedly received upwards of $600 million from China through the Foreign Gift Disclosure System, ranking higher than any other U.S. university.
Concerns have been raised about the influence of Chinese funding in U.S. educational institutions. Over recent years, numerous universities have cut ties with Confucius Institutes linked to China due to funding concerns. In a backdrop of increasing scrutiny, lawmakers are alerting the public about a $278 million network led by Neville Roy Singham, alleged to be disseminating Chinese Communist Party propaganda in the U.S.
The stated goal of these institutes was to enhance understanding of Chinese language and culture, yet their presence in American universities has dwindled from around 100 to fewer than five in just four years. The closures are attributed to restrictions on federal funding outlined in the National Defense Authorization Act and mounting governmental pressure.
