U.S. House Moves to Bar Federal Research Funding for Scientists with ‘Hostile’ Foreign Ties
WASHINGTON, DC - October 25, 2025 The American Institute of Physics (AIP) reports that the U.S. House of Representatives has advanced legislation aiming to prohibit federal research funding for institutions and individuals with connections to foreign entities deemed “hostile.”
The proposed amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 would forbid the awarding of grants to researchers who collaborate with or receive funding from countries on various government “entity lists,” including China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea. Applicants would also be required to disclose detailed past ties within the last five years—ranging from collaborations with affiliated institutions to travel and financial transactions.
Supporters view the measure as critical for safeguarding U.S. scientific advances from foreign military exploitation. One lawmaker stated: “American universities should never be a pipeline for the Chinese Communist Party’s military ambitions.” Higher-education associations caution that the bill’s definitions are excessively broad and risk undermining longstanding international research partnerships.
As work continues to reconcile the House and Senate NDAA versions, universities are urged to review evolving compliance risks and stay attuned to shifting federal research-security regulations.