Department of Defense Directs 30 U.S. Universities to Audit Foreign Research Collaborations

The Department of Defense (DoD) has ordered approximately 30 U.S. universities to conduct immediate reviews of their academic, financial, and research collaborations with foreign entities identified under Section 1286 of the FY19 National Defense Authorization Act and organizations associated with rebranded Confucius Institutes. Institutions must report findings and mitigation actions by August 31, 2026, with compliance influencing eligibility for future federal research funding.