Foreign billions have quietly reshaped U.S. campuses, but no more. The Trump team is enforcing long-dormant rules with a shiny new online portal for universities to disclose overseas donations and deals over $250,000 per source annually.
Launched by Education and State Department leaders, the tool promises easy reporting and total public access. It’s rooted in Section 117 of the Higher Education Act, designed in 1986 to flag potential foreign sway on American academia.
Why now? Spotty compliance has hidden massive inflows—$5.2 billion in 2025, $67 billion cumulative. Qatar dominates at $1.2 billion, with UK and China close behind. Entities like Tata Group must report if hitting the threshold.
Under Secretaries Rogers and Kent frame it as illumination, not prohibition. Amid AI and semiconductor races, fears loom of influence peddling via student placements or strings on grants.
Senate reports slammed past efforts as a ‘black hole,’ with 70% unreported. Yale dodged filings for years; probes into 19 institutions cut non-compliance to 35%.
This bolsters research integrity and IP safeguards. U.S.-India ties benefit from clear rules, no bans imposed. Bottom line: transparency builds trust, secures the future.