President Trump Signs Executive Order Mandating Full Disclosure of Foreign Funding by Colleges
May 9, 2025 — Washington, D.C.
In a move that has sent ripples across the landscape of higher education and international relations, President Donald J. Trump signed a sweeping executive order today mandating that all U.S. colleges and universities fully disclose any and all foreign funding they receive. This includes donations, contracts, partnerships, gifts, and financial arrangements originating from foreign governments, organizations, or individuals.
Speaking at a press conference in Washington, President Trump framed the order as a bold step to “restore transparency and national security to American education.”
“For far too long, foreign adversaries have used our universities as entry points to influence our young people, steal our research, and undermine our values,” Trump said. “Today, we put an end to that. If you’re taking foreign money, the American people deserve to know who’s paying you, and why.”
Overview of the Executive Order
The executive order requires:
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Mandatory Disclosure: All institutions of higher learning that receive federal funding must report foreign gifts, grants, and contracts exceeding $10,000 in value.
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Quarterly Reporting: Schools must report this data to the U.S. Department of Education on a quarterly basis, rather than annually.
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Public Database: The Department of Education will create and maintain a publicly accessible online database to display the financial ties between U.S. academic institutions and foreign entities.
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Compliance Audits: The Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Education will have the authority to conduct regular audits of foreign financial records at universities.
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Penalties for Noncompliance: Schools that fail to comply could face suspension of federal funding, civil fines, or even criminal investigations.
Motivation Behind the Order
The administration has expressed growing concern over what it calls “unseen influence” by foreign powers in American academia. Officials point to significant donations from countries such as China, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia to prominent U.S. universities as examples of questionable transparency.
According to a 2023 report from the U.S. Department of Education, over $6.5 billion in foreign gifts and contracts flowed to American colleges between 2014 and 2022, often with little or no disclosure.
“Universities are not fortresses,” said White House National Security Adviser Richard Grenell. “They are increasingly targeted by foreign actors who want to shape curricula, monitor students, and access intellectual property developed on American soil.”
Reactions from Academia and Policy Experts
The executive order has drawn mixed reactions from educational leaders and policy analysts.
Many university presidents argue that the vast majority of foreign donations are used for legitimate academic research, student exchange programs, and campus development projects. They also warn that overly burdensome regulations may chill academic freedom and international cooperation.
“We fully support transparency,” said Harvard University President Claudine Gay, “but we are concerned that this policy could stigmatize international collaboration and reduce our ability to attract the best minds from around the world.”
Conversely, some critics of academia welcome the move as overdue.
“This is a matter of national security and integrity,” said Rep. Jim Banks (R-IN), a longtime advocate for curbing foreign influence in education. “We’ve known for years that Beijing was bankrolling American think tanks and universities. Finally, we’re taking it seriously.”
International Implications
Diplomatic experts are warning that this executive order may strain relations with key allies and global partners.
China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the order as “a discriminatory and politically motivated attack on academic cooperation,” while European academic leaders expressed concerns about retaliatory measures that could disrupt student exchanges and joint research ventures.
Looking Ahead
The Department of Education has been directed to implement the new guidelines within 60 days, with the first round of disclosures due by the start of the new academic year in August 2025.
As colleges scramble to assess the potential impact, legal experts anticipate a wave of lawsuits challenging the order on constitutional grounds, particularly around academic freedom and federal overreach.
Still, President Trump and his supporters remain resolute.
“If universities want taxpayer dollars, they need to come clean,” Trump said. “We’re going to protect our students, our research, and our future.”
The order represents one of the most assertive steps yet in the Trump administration’s broader campaign to crack down on foreign influence in American institutions—and it may redefine the boundaries of academia’s global engagement for years to come.
