Safeguarding academia: US Department of Education issues guidance to protect universities from foreign exploitation

The US Department of Education, in coordination with the Office of the Director of National Intelligence’s (ODNI) National Counterintelligence and Security Center (NCSC) and multiple federal partners, on Monday issued new guidance warning American colleges and universities about mounting foreign threats to their research programs.The guidance, released as part of the Safeguarding Academia bulletin, outlines the evolving risks posed by foreign talent recruitment programs, espionage operations, overseas research collaborations, and cyber intrusions targeting U.S. campuses. It also provides mitigation strategies for institutions and researchers, while urging them to report suspicious activities to federal authorities.

Federal officials raise alarm

“For decades, hostile foreign actors have exploited the open nature of America’s taxpayer-funded research universities for their benefit, stealing critical technology and research, planting spies, and poaching talent to commit espionage against the United States,” said Paul Moore, Chief Investigative Counsel at the Department of Education.

“This joint bulletin equips colleges and universities with the information to identify and combat this malign foreign infiltration.

”NCSC Acting Director James Cangialosi echoed the concern, stressing that universities sit at the heart of America’s research and development enterprise. “U.S. colleges and universities drive critical research that fuels America’s innovation and economic growth, advances our global competitiveness, and contributes to US national security.

However, foreign adversaries are increasingly exploiting the open and collaborative environment of U.S.

academic institutions for their own gain,” Cangialosi said.“With the new school year starting, it’s critical to get these materials in the hands of academic institutions now,” he added.

Broad interagency collaboration

The bulletin and accompanying reference guides were released jointly with several federal partners, including the National Science Foundation (NSF), the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), the FBI, the U.S.

Army Counterintelligence Command, the Air Force Office of Special Investigations, the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency, and the Navy Criminal Investigative Service.Together, these agencies are urging universities to adopt stronger safeguards, including due diligence in foreign partnerships, increased cybersecurity protocols, and enhanced oversight of visiting scholars and researchers.

Heightened scrutiny of universities

The bulletin comes amid a wave of federal inquiries into universities over compliance with Section 117 of the Higher Education Act, which requires institutions to disclose foreign gifts and contracts. Since January 20, the Department of Education has launched four investigations or records requests into alleged disclosure violations, involving Harvard University, the University of California–Berkeley, the University of Michigan, and the University of Pennsylvania.Officials say the renewed focus is part of a broader push to hold institutions accountable and ensure transparency about foreign influence in US higher education.