Confucius Institute & Entity Restrictions

On July 8, 2026, the National Science Foundation (NSF) issued a Dear Colleague Letter (DCL) announcing a forthcoming policy that will bar NSF funds from supporting collaborations with entities on U.S. restricted parties lists. Senior/key personnel will be prohibited from collaborating with restricted entities on NSF-funded projects and will also be prohibited from holding an appointment or position with, or receiving research support from, listed entities for the duration of the NSF award. Per the DCL: "NSF appropriated funds shall not be used for grants, contracts, other transactions or other assistance to an organization if the purpose is to conduct research in collaboration with restricted entities. This funding prohibition also extends to the employees of such restricted entities." In Appendix A, NSF lists 12 restricted party lists, an increase from the current four lists and in near alignment with the Department of War (DoW). To comply, Authorized Organizational Representatives and senior/key personnel will need to certify to this effect at proposal submission, and organizations will be responsible for ensuring awareness of and compliance with the prohibition. NSF notes that this change aligns with the DoW's approach to restricted-party collaborations, with the aim of safeguarding NSF-funded research while promoting consistency and reducing administrative burden. NSF intends to implement the prohibition in Fiscal Year 2027. Per the DCL, questions can be directed to researchsecurity@nsf.gov.

Issued in January 2023 by the National Academies, this report outlines recommended conditions that should be in place for the Department of Defense to consider granting a waiver to allow an institution of higher education (IHE) hosting a Confucius Institute (CI) to continue receiving agency funding, as contemplated under the FY2020 NDAA. A companion highlights summary is also available.

A highlights summary of the National Academies' January 2023 report on waiver criteria for the Department of Defense regarding institutions of higher education that host a Confucius Institute. It condenses the recommended conditions the report suggests should be in place for DoD to consider granting a waiver allowing a hosting institution to continue receiving agency funding.

Places restrictions on eligibility for NSF R&D funding for institutions that host or support Confucius [or Confucius-like] institutes.

A June 2023 report issued by the National Academies providing recommendations that U.S. institutions of higher education can take to identify and mitigate risks associated with foreign-funded language and culture institutes on campus. A companion highlights summary is also available.

A highlights summary of the National Academies' June 2023 report on foreign-funded language and culture institutes at U.S. institutions of higher education. It condenses the practices and recommendations institutions can use to identify and mitigate risks associated with such institutes on campus.

September 2024, report ordered by Committee on Homeland Security. States that IHEs which have a relationship with a Confucius Institute or Chinese entity of concern is ineligible to receive any funds from the Department of Homeland Security, unless the institution terminates the relationship.

The 'Wolf Amendment' (2011) prohibits participation, collaboration, or coordination bilaterally with China or any Chinese-owned company on any NASA project at the prime or subrecipient level. NASA clarified in a September 2022 presentation that the agency defines a 'Chinese-owned company' as any company owned by China, or any company incorporated under the laws of China, and that Chinese universities and similar institutions are considered to be incorporated under the laws of China and therefore the funding restrictions apply.

November 2021 guidelines for the Australian University sector to help manage and engage with risk to deepen resilience against foreign interference in the university sector.