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Higher Education Transparency: Mandatory Disclosure of Foreign Gifts and Contracts

This law significantly tightens rules requiring US colleges and universities to disclose gifts and contracts from foreign sources. It mandates reporting all transactions, regardless of value, with countries or entities deemed national security concerns, and establishes a public database for citizen oversight. The goal is to safeguard US research integrity and intellectual property from undue foreign influence.
Key points
Universities must disclose all gifts and contracts from foreign sources of $50,000 or more, and all transactions with "countries or entities of concern," regardless of the amount.
A public, searchable database will be created, allowing citizens to view the foreign funding sources of higher education institutions, with exceptions for natural persons' privacy.
Contracts with foreign countries or entities of concern are prohibited unless the Secretary of Education grants a one-year waiver after consulting with national security agencies.
Faculty and staff at major research institutions must internally disclose their personal foreign gifts and contracts, and institutions must implement plans to manage espionage risks.
Knowingly failing to comply results in substantial fines, and repeat violations can lead to the institution losing eligibility for federal student aid programs.
article Official text account_balance Process page
Introduced
Citizen Poll
No votes cast
Additional Information
Print number: 119_S_1296
Sponsor: Sen. Tillis, Thomas [R-NC]
Process start date: 2025-04-03
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Summarized by: gemini-3-pro-preview
Source data: api.congress.gov
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OFFICIAL LEGAL TITLE

DETERRENT Act

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is the official ID of this bill?

The official print number for this legislation is 119_S_1296.

Which chamber initiated this legislation?

This legislation was initiated in the Senate.

When did the legislative process begin?

The process officially started on 2025-04-03.

What are the main provisions?

Key points include:

  • Universities must disclose all gifts and contracts from foreign sources of $50,000 or more, and all transactions with "countries or entities of concern," regardless of the amount.
  • A public, searchable database will be created, allowing citizens to view the foreign funding sources of higher education institutions, with exceptions for natural persons' privacy.
  • Contracts with foreign countries or entities of concern are prohibited unless the Secretary of Education grants a one-year waiver after consulting with national security agencies.
  • Faculty and staff at major research institutions must internally disclose their personal foreign gifts and contracts, and institutions must implement plans to manage espionage risks.
  • Knowingly failing to comply results in substantial fines, and repeat violations can lead to the institution losing eligibility for federal student aid programs.
What is the specific legal status?

The current status is Introduced.

Where can I read the full text of this legislation?

The full official text is available at: View full text

Who is the primary sponsor?

The primary sponsor is Sen. Tillis, Thomas [R-NC].

What is the latest detailed status?

The latest detailed status is: Introduced in Senate

Is this summary verified?

Yes. This content was analyzed by AI and verified by the Lustra Judge System on 2025-12-31.

CATEGORIES

Education Security