Sponsors (2)
The bill increases federal oversight and transparency to reduce national-security and research-integrity risks from foreign partnerships but does so at the cost of greater administrative burdens, potential loss of foreign funding and collaborations, confidentiality concerns, and significant financial penalties that could disrupt institutions and student aid.
Researchers, universities, and students face reduced risk that foreign partnerships will compromise research integrity or transfer sensitive technologies because the bill restricts and vets risky agreements.
Schools and taxpayers gain greater transparency and oversight because institutions must submit unredacted contracts and independent translations to the Department.
Taxpayers and academic communities benefit from departmental review with intelligence and agency input, which can identify and block partnerships that pose economic or security harms.
Students, universities, and taxpayers face significant financial risk because large penalties (5–10% first, 20% subsequent) and potential federal program ineligibility could threaten institutional budgets and student aid.
Scientists, students, and universities may lose foreign research funding and collaborations if waivers are denied or designations force termination, reducing research activity and opportunities.
Schools and researchers will face heavier administrative burden and potential delays or blockage of legitimate partnerships because of strict documentation, translation requirements, and long (120-day) lead times.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Bars higher education institutions from contracting with designated foreign countries/entities of concern and allows only narrowly limited one‑year waivers with strict documentation, timing, and review rules.
Introduced February 4, 2025 by Mark Harris · Last progress February 4, 2025
Prohibits colleges and universities from entering into contracts with any designated “foreign country of concern” or “foreign entity of concern,” while allowing narrowly limited one-year waivers. Institutions must request waivers far in advance, submit full unredacted contracts (with independent translations if not in English), and follow strict renewal and termination deadlines. Federal officials must consult national security and agency leaders and notify Congress before issuing waivers, and institutions must end covered contracts quickly if a counterparty is newly designated.