Sponsors (2)
The bill strengthens national-security protections for U.S. research by restricting and closely overseeing foreign contracts, but at the cost of lost funding, heavy penalties, and significant compliance burdens that could harm students and strain colleges—especially smaller institutions.
Colleges, universities, students, and research programs will face reduced risk of espionage and unauthorized transfer of sensitive research or IP because certain contracts with hostile foreign governments/entities are curtailed or more tightly controlled.
Colleges and universities gain a transparent, time-limited waiver process that requires review and oversight by national security and science agencies, increasing accountability and oversight of foreign partnerships.
Students and institutions risk losing access to federal student aid and could face institutional closure or program cuts if found in violation, threatening students' ability to continue their education.
Colleges and universities may lose research funding and collaborative opportunities if contracts are barred, reducing programs, jobs, and research output.
Strict penalties and substantial fines (scaling up to large percentages of federal funds) could strain institutional budgets and divert resources away from education and research into compliance or penalty payments.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Prohibits colleges and universities from contracting with designated foreign countries/entities of concern except via narrowly limited one‑year waivers with strict filing, review, and renewal rules.
Introduced February 4, 2025 by Mark Harris · Last progress February 4, 2025
Prohibits institutions of higher education from entering into contracts with any designated “foreign country of concern” or “foreign entity of concern,” while allowing narrowly tailored one‑year waivers. Waivers require detailed pre‑filing (including the full unredacted contract and an independent translation if not in English), at least 120 days advance submission, interagency security review, and congressional notification two weeks before issuance. Waivers last one year and may be renewed once with another 120‑day advance request; if a timely renewal is not granted the institution must end the contract at the end of the waiver period. The Secretary must consult specified national security and science agency heads when granting waivers and the law creates notice, reporting, and termination timing requirements (including a 60‑day termination requirement tied to certain changes in a foreign source’s status).