Sponsors (2)
Official title: To amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to restrict contracts with foreign countries of concern and foreign entities of concern.
Introduced February 4, 2025 by Mark Harris · Last progress February 4, 2025
The bill strengthens safeguards and oversight to reduce foreign espionage and influence in U.S. research institutions, but does so at the cost of funding and partnership losses, increased administrative burdens, and risks to student aid and institutional stability.
Students, researchers, and colleges/universities will face lower risk of foreign espionage and theft of sensitive research/IP because contracts with adversarial foreign governments or entities will be restricted and more closely reviewed.
Colleges and universities will have a clearer, time‑limited waiver process with multi‑agency review, increasing transparency and accountability for foreign partnerships and reducing hidden foreign influence.
Students and higher‑education institutions may lose research funding, international collaborations, and related jobs if contracts are barred, reducing program offerings and economic opportunities.
Students could lose access to federal financial aid and institutions could face closure or program cuts if found in violation, harming low‑income students and potentially imposing costs on taxpayers.
Strict escalating monetary penalties (a percentage of federal funds) could strain institutional budgets and divert money from education into fines and compliance, threatening program sustainability.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Prohibits colleges from contracting with designated foreign countries/entities of concern unless a narrow, one-year waiver is granted after interagency review.
Prohibits institutions of higher education from entering contracts with any "foreign country of concern" or "foreign entity of concern," while providing a narrow, one-year waiver process with strict filing, translation, and reporting requirements. Waivers may be granted only after interagency consultation and if the Secretary finds the contract benefits the institution and promotes U.S. security and economic vitality; waivers must be renewed annually with advance notice or the contract must be terminated.