Protecting American Research and Talent Act

Summary

Prohibits federal agencies from using funds to award grants or contracts to colleges and universities for the specific purpose of conducting fundamental research in collaboration with a "covered entity," unless an agency head issues a case-by-case waiver based on national security. Waivers are available only for institutions with low international enrollment (under 15%) and with students from foreign countries of concern making up less than 5% of their international students (with an exception for students from State‑designated persecuted groups). Agencies must notify Congress within 30 days of any waiver and report annually on waiver applications, denials, and details of approved collaborations.

• Blocks federal grants or contracts that fund fundamental research at colleges when the work is done in collaboration with a covered entity, unless a national-security waiver is issued.
• Waivers are allowed only on a case-by-case basis and require the agency head to find a national security justification.
• Institutions qualify for waivers only if international students are under 15% of enrollment and students from countries of concern are under 5% of the international student body (with a persecuted-groups exception).
• The Secretary of State must create a list of persecuted groups whose members are excluded from the 5% test.
• Agencies must notify Congress within 30 days of any waiver and must submit annual reports listing applicants, enrollment stats, and detailed justifications and collaboration terms for each waiver.
• Key terms rely on existing statutory definitions in 10 U.S.C., 20 U.S.C., and 42 U.S.C., linking this rule to current federal law on research and foreign‑influence definitions.
• The measure targets institutional-level eligibility for federally funded collaborations rather than individual researchers directly, but could affect hiring, enrollment, and collaboration patterns.
• Institutions with high international enrollment or sizable populations from countries of concern are most likely to be restricted from receiving covered federal funds for certain collaborations.