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US Lawmakers Push Bill to Block China from American Research Funds

Two senior Republican lawmakers have introduced a bill to block China-linked entities from accessing US federally funded research. The legislation targets China's military-civil fusion strategy, which uses academic cooperation to advance military technologies. It would bar universities and labs from collaborating with blacklisted Chinese entities. The bill includes limited waivers for national security and public health purposes.

Key Points: US Bill Targets China Access to American Research Funds

  • Bill targets China's military-civil fusion strategy
  • Prohibits joint research with blacklisted entities
  • Codifies existing research security measures
  • Includes limited waivers for national security
2 min read

US lawmakers push bill to block China from accessing American research funds

US lawmakers introduce bill to prohibit China-linked entities from federally funded American research, citing security risks.

"The CCP should not get a single dime, directly or indirectly, of American research funding. - Jim Banks"

Washington DC, May 15

Two senior Republican lawmakers have introduced new legislation aimed at preventing China from gaining access to federally funded American research, warning that Beijing has systematically exploited US academic openness to strengthen its military and technological capabilities.

John Moolenaar, chairman of the United States House Select Committee on Strategic Competition between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party, and Jim Banks unveiled the "Securing Innovation and Research from Adversaries Act". The proposed legislation seeks to prohibit the use of US federal research funding in collaborations involving entities or individuals linked to China's military, intelligence services, or blacklisted organisations.

The lawmakers argued that American taxpayer-funded research has become vulnerable to exploitation by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) through academic partnerships, technology exchanges, and scientific cooperation programs.

"The CCP should not get a single dime, directly or indirectly, of American research funding," Banks said while announcing the bill. Moolenaar added that recent steps taken by the administration and the Department of Defense to tighten research security should now be permanently codified into law.

Under the proposed legislation, federally funded institutions, including universities, national laboratories, and private research organisations, would be barred from engaging in joint research projects, co-authoring studies, sharing data, or conducting personnel exchanges with entities placed on U.S. government restricted lists.

The bill specifically targets concerns surrounding China's military-civil fusion strategy, under which Beijing is accused of using civilian research and academic cooperation to advance military technologies.

The Select Committee on China has repeatedly warned that the CCP exploits open academic environments in the United States to acquire sensitive technologies with potential military applications. Lawmakers backing the bill say the legislation is designed to close loopholes that have allowed Chinese-linked institutions to benefit from American scientific innovation.

The measure also includes limited waiver provisions for collaborations deemed necessary for national security, scientific advancement, or public health purposes, though such exemptions would require transparency measures and congressional notification.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

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Priya S
This is exactly the kind of cold war mentality that harms global science. Research should be open—China has contributed enormously to fields like renewable energy and AI. Politicians in Washington are just creating boogeymen to justify military budgets. Sad to see. 😔
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Vikram M
As an Indian working in US academia, I've seen how Chinese students and researchers sometimes have ties back home. But the vast majority are genuine scholars. This bill feels like throwing the baby out with the bathwater. India should avoid such blanket policies—focus on screening, not banning.
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Michael C
I get the concern about military-civil fusion, but the US shares tech with allies like India and Japan. Why not build a trust-based coalition instead of isolating everyone? China will just develop its own capabilities faster. This could backfire. 💡
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Rohit P
Respectfully, I think this is a good step. China has stolen intellectual property from India too—remember the Indian pharma patents? We should support the US here. But let's also push for our own strong laws to protect our科研 (research). Better safe than sorry.
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Sarah B
Politics over science again. As a climate researcher, I've worked with Chinese colleagues on carbon capture—they're brilliant and collaborative. This bill will set back global research on pandemics, climate change, and more. The real threat is short-sighted nationalism. 🌍

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