The Pentagon on Monday (August 17) ordered 30 academic institutions in the United States to immediately review academic, financial, and research collaborations with foreign entities identified as posing national security threats.
The notifications have been sent to US universities that have contacts or are actively collaborating with schools or research institutions in China, Russia, or Iran; the foreign schools and research institutions mentioned have been classified by the Pentagon as foreign entities that could potentially threaten national security.
The list of 30 universities that received the notifications has not been publicly disclosed. The Epoch Times has requested the Pentagon to provide the list of universities but has not received a response.
These institutions must also report review results and actions taken to the Pentagon by August 31.
Emil Michael, Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering, stated in a press release, “The Department of Defense takes a zero-tolerance approach to academic partnerships that jeopardize our national security.”
“Institutions funded by US taxpayers must adhere to the highest standards of research security requirements, and these mandatory reviews will ensure full accountability.”
The Pentagon stated that the review covers foreign entities listed in Section 1286 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 and organizations related to the renamed “Confucius Institutes.”
The Pentagon stated that this action aims to protect research funding supported by taxpayers, prevent unauthorized technology transfer, intellectual property theft, and exploitation by hostile forces.
Just days before this directive was issued, the US House of Representatives released a report accusing Harvard University of establishing a non-profit organization named “Harvard Global” to circumvent federal disclosure requirements for foreign donations to higher education institutions.
It is currently unclear whether Harvard is included in the list of universities that received the notification on August 17.
The House committee pointed out in the report that Harvard’s cooperation with China is “extensive.” The report stated that the interests of the Chinese Communist regime have infiltrated various aspects of the university, jeopardizing US national security.
According to the US Department of Education’s statistics, as of July 31, Harvard is the highest recipient of donations and funding from China among all US colleges, with a cumulative amount close to $687 million.
To continue receiving federal research funding, universities that received the notification must conduct a comprehensive review of all confirmed foreign collaborative relationships.
These schools must assess the risk of sensitive or export-controlled research leakage and implement strict risk mitigation measures, including terminating problematic collaborative relationships.
Joseph Jewell, Assistant Director for Science and Technology at the Pentagon, stated, “Universities are key partners in conducting various research projects for the Department of Defense, so we must ensure that the research funds invested are fully protected from exploitation by foreign powers.”
Last month, the Pentagon released the latest version of the “1286 list,” covering 130 institutions from China, Russia, and Iran, including 88 Chinese institutions. In addition to some previously restricted universities, prominent Chinese universities such as Fudan University and Shanghai Jiao Tong University were included for the first time.
The Pentagon also reconfirmed the “Malicious Foreign Talent Recruitment Program” list for the 2024 fiscal year; the Department of Defense stated that these programs pose a threat to national security.
Starting from fiscal year 2026, the Pentagon prohibits the use of department funds for basic research involving cooperation with entities listed in the “1286 list” and does not fund basic research conducted using equipment from these entities.
The Pentagon warned researchers that collaborating with individuals associated with entities listed on the list could pose compliance risks and affect future eligibility to obtain federal funding.
(Partial reference to related reports from The Epoch Times)