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Prohibits federal funds from being used to award grants or contracts to colleges and universities for fundamental research done in collaboration with certain foreign-linked entities, unless a federal agency head grants a case-by-case waiver for national security reasons. Waivers are limited to institutions that meet caps on international enrollment (under 15%) and students from foreign countries of concern (under 5%), with an exclusion for students who are members of persecuted groups identified by the Secretary of State. Requires agencies to notify Congress within 30 days when they grant a waiver and to submit annual reports listing applicant institutions, enrollment statistics, waiver justifications, and detailed descriptions of any approved collaborations (including parties, technology, duration, and IP terms). The bill defines key terms such as covered entity, collaboration, fundamental research, foreign country of concern, and institution of higher education.
The bill strengthens national security and transparency by restricting certain foreign‑linked research collaborations and requiring reporting, at the cost of reducing research funding access and opportunities (especially for international students), chilling some academic collaboration, and adding administrative burden.
Researchers, universities, and the public may face lower risk of sensitive technologies and know‑how being transferred to foreign military‑linked entities because federally funded collaborations with covered entities can be blocked.
Agencies must report waiver decisions and institution enrollment statistics to Congress, increasing transparency and congressional oversight of foreign ties in federally funded research.
Institutions with low international enrollment can receive case‑by‑case waivers so they can still access federal research funding when national security concerns are addressed.
Many universities and their researchers could lose access to federal research funds for collaborations with foreign‑affiliated entities, reducing grant revenue and research opportunities.
International students—especially those from listed countries of concern—may face reduced research, fellowship, and training opportunities at affected institutions.
The bill's broad definition of 'covered entity' and linkage to foreign funding could chill benign academic collaborations and scholarly exchanges with foreign‑affiliated scholars.
Introduced September 10, 2025 by Thomas Bryant Cotton · Last progress September 10, 2025