Elite American universities have received substantial funding from foreign sources listed on federal watchlists, including some associated with the Chinese military. According to data from the Education Department, dozens of universities reported receiving $27.6 million from these foreign entities in the latter half of 2025. Notable institutions include Northwestern University, the University of California, Irvine, the University of Connecticut, Bryant University, and the University of California, Berkeley.
An Education Department spokeswoman indicated that American universities have accepted nearly $405 million from entities that pose risks to national security. The Trump Administration's updated Section 117 Dashboard aims to increase transparency regarding foreign funding sources, which officials believe is crucial for national security.
Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy Sarah B. Rogers warned that universities maintaining ties with these foreign entities may face restrictions on federal grant funding. The Aero Engine Corporation of China, which has connections to the Chinese military and is on the Treasury Department’s Foreign Assets Control List, has contributed $7.8 million to several universities over the years.
Documents submitted to the Department of Education do not specify how the funding was utilized. President Trump issued an executive order in April 2025 requiring universities to provide more detailed information about their foreign funding sources.
In addition to being on the Treasury Department's watchlist, the Aero Engine Corporation is classified as a 'military end-user entity' by the Department of Commerce. The company is involved in developing engines for military aircraft used by China's People’s Liberation Army.
LJ Eads, founder of Data Abyss, commented on the ongoing discussions regarding research security, highlighting past failures in implementing effective restrictions. UC Berkeley has also received funding from Chinese entities on federal watchlists, including a $7.6 million grant from Sun Yat-sen University, which is associated with China's National Supercomputing Center.
A UC Berkeley spokesman stated that the university complies with all relevant regulations regarding foreign funding and is currently reviewing the government's data. Bryant University had a $22.6 million contract with the Beijing Institute of Technology for an academic program, which has since been terminated due to the institute's listing on federal watchlists.
Requests for comments from Northwestern University, UC Berkeley, UC Irvine, and the University of Connecticut were not returned by the time of publication.