The House Select Committee on China is taking a firm stance against the National Science Foundation’s (NSF) recent initiative, calling for a halt to a $67 million research security project due to alarming partnerships with universities linked to the Chinese military. The chairman of the committee, John Moolenaar, expressed his concerns in a letter to NSF Interim Director Brian Stone. He highlighted that the institutions involved in the “Safeguarding the Entire Community of the U.S. Research Ecosystem” (SECURE) initiative, notably Texas A&M University and the University of Washington, have troubling ties to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and its defense sector.
“In a program intended to enhance research-security risk assessments, it’s troubling that these institutions have collaborated with entities that are on U.S. government watchlists,” Moolenaar stated, underlining the inherent conflict of interest in allowing universities with such collaborations to lead security initiatives funded by taxpayer money.
The report detailing these concerns underscores not just the potential for exploitation of sensitive U.S. research by foreign adversaries but also a broader issue of transparency and accountability in the allocation of federal funds. The committee specifically accuses the University of Washington of having worked alongside Chinese institutions closely connected to military projects, including research that falls under advanced technologies deemed sensitive to national security.
With the University of Washington set to receive $50 million from the SECURE initiative, Moolenaar drew attention to its “high-risk research relationships.” Particularly concerning are the joint publications involving the school’s faculty and organizations within the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) and other military-affiliated institutions in China. These relationships raise profound questions about the wisdom of funding research initiatives that may, in practice, aid adversarial actors.
Texas A&M University, which is designated for $17 million from the NSF grant, has also been implicated in similar partnerships. Its collaborations with the PLA’s National University of Defense Technology and the Harbin Institute of Technology reflect a pattern of engagement with organizations affiliated with China’s military. Such interactions pose significant risks, especially as they involve federally funded research.
Moolenaar’s letter contains pointed language around safeguarding taxpayer dollars. He argued that institutions relying on federal funding should not be enabling foreign adversaries to access and exploit sensitive information. “Institutions entrusted with U.S. taxpayer dollars… should not simultaneously enable foreign adversaries to access,” he noted, emphasizing the conflicting responsibilities universities face.
Furthermore, Moolenaar raised concerns about compliance with various federal regulations governing research security. He specifically mentioned the National Security Presidential Memorandum 33 (NSPM-33) and the Wolf Amendment, which restricts NASA from cooperating with the Chinese government in certain research activities. This is a significant part of the broader regulatory framework that aims to protect national interests from foreign infiltration.
In conclusion, Moolenaar’s letter doesn’t just call for a review of the SECURE initiative; it demands accountability and clarity on whether taxpayer funds are being used appropriately. He has requested a pause on the contracts associated with the initiative, evidence of compliance with federal requirements, and a reevaluation of the relationship between these universities and Chinese military-affiliated organizations. The clock is ticking, as he has asked NSF to respond by March 31.
The NSF’s response will be critical, but the scrutiny from Congress indicates a growing unease about research integrity in the face of foreign influence. As collaboration in research becomes more globalized, ensuring that national interests are protected remains a fundamental concern for policymakers and the public alike. The stakes are high, and the need for vigilance is becoming increasingly clear as foreign funds continue to pour into U.S. educational institutions.
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