Research Integrity and Foreign Influence Prevention Act

This bill updates a research law to make clearer what counts as a “foreign country” when applying rules that restrict “malign foreign talent recruitment” programs. In plain terms, it tightens the definition used to decide when certain foreign-linked recruitment efforts are off-limits for people supported by U.S. research funds.

Key points:

• Who is affected: Researchers, students, and institutions involved in federally funded research. Universities and labs that receive federal research money may need to check policies and disclosures against the clarified definition.
• What changes: The law clarifies the term “foreign country” within existing restrictions on harmful foreign recruitment programs, aiming to remove confusion and close loopholes.
• When: The change takes effect upon enactment of the bill.

This is a targeted fix. It doesn’t create a new program; it refines how current rules are applied, so agencies and researchers have a clearer line on what relationships are allowed or prohibited under existing research security policies.