WASHINGTON: US university research audits will cover 30 institutions after the Department of Defence ordered reviews of foreign academic, financial and research ties.
The universities must submit their findings by August 31, 2026. The department said future federal research funding could depend on compliance.
The reviews cover ties with entities listed under Section 1286 of the 2019 National Defence Authorisation Act. They also include organisations linked to rebranded Confucius Institutes.
Universities must assess whether sensitive or export-controlled research is at risk of exposure. They must also prepare mitigation measures where officials identify risks. Those steps may include ending certain partnerships.
Read: Iran US Soldier Bounty Sets $30,000 Reward, Reports Say
Under Secretary for Research and Engineering Emil Michael said that taxpayer-funded institutions must meet strict research security standards.
Assistant Secretary Joseph Jewell said universities remain important partners in defence research.
The department did not name the 30 universities. It also did not specify how many reviews involve China, Russia or Iran.
Read: US China AI Bill Seeks $500M Allies Fund
The order follows a July expansion of the Section 1286 list to 130 foreign universities and research organisations. The supplied report says 88 of them are in mainland China.
