Department of Defense Orders 30 U.S. Universities to Audit Foreign Research Ties

The Department of Defense (DoD) has directed approximately 30 U.S. universities to conduct immediate reviews of their academic, financial, and research collaborations with entities identified under Section 1286 of the FY19 National Defense Authorization Act and organizations associated with rebranded Confucius Institutes. The notified institutions must complete these audits and report their findings and mitigation actions to the Department by August 31, 2026. This directive is part of a broader federal effort to scrutinize foreign exploitation of U.S. research capabilities, with a current focus on entities associated with China, Russia, and Iran.