Investigations Launched into Foreign Funding Disclosures at Duke University and…

The U.S. Department of Education and the U.S. Department of State opened foreign funding investigations into Duke University and the University of North Dakota after reviews indicated incomplete, inaccurate, and untimely disclosures of foreign financial ties. Pursuant to Section 117 of the Higher Education Act of 1965, institutions receiving federal financial assistance must disclose foreign gifts and contracts valued at $250,000 or more annually. For Duke University, concerns were raised regarding research collaboration with China's Wuhan University, which is overseen by China's Ministry of Education. The investigation into the University of North Dakota focused on its reporting of foreign transactions over the last several years, noting that many involved Chinese aviation companies and that the university had erroneously identified a foreign source entity as a foreign individual.

Both Duke University and the University of North Dakota are research institutions that receive significant taxpayer support for critical and emerging technologies. The investigations center on whether the universities accurately reported foreign financial ties to ensure public transparency and maintain eligibility for federal student aid programs. Failure to comply with Section 117 requirements places the institutions' federal funding access under review.