INSTRUCT Act of 2025

This bill aims to shine more light on foreign money going to colleges and universities. Schools already must report when they receive large gifts or sign contracts with a foreign source—$250,000 or more, alone or combined. These reports would become public records that anyone can inspect and copy during business hours. The Department of Education must also send an unredacted copy of each report within 30 days to key federal agencies, including the FBI, State, Homeland Security, and others.

Within 90 days after the law takes effect, the Department must share past reports and any records from compliance investigations that started before the law with those same agencies. A federal watchdog will study how agencies can work together better, share information, raise compliance, and enforce the rules, and then publish a public report within three years.

• Who is affected: Colleges and universities that receive large foreign gifts or contracts, federal agencies, and the public who can view the reports .
• What changes: Reports become public; the Department of Education shares unredacted reports with 11 named agencies; older reports and investigation records are also shared; a study looks at improving coordination and enforcement.
• When: Sharing new reports within 30 days; sharing past materials within 90 days after enactment; study starts within 180 days and a public report is due within three years.