University of Michigan Under Investigation: US Education Department Launches Probe into Foreign Funding

The University of Michigan is facing federal scrutiny due to serious allegations involving two Chinese scientists linked to the institution. Both have been charged with trying to smuggle biological materials into the U.S., prompting an investigation from the Education Department into the university’s foreign funding practices.

These charges have raised significant concerns regarding national security, particularly related to potential threats from China. Paul Moore, chief investigative counsel for the Education Department, commented that the university might not fully appreciate its vulnerabilities to foreign influence, describing it as “highly disturbing.”

This trend isn’t isolated to Michigan. Other prestigious universities, such as Harvard and the University of Pennsylvania, are also under investigation for their international collaborations. Notably, in January, Michigan severed ties with a university in Shanghai, responding to pressure from lawmakers who labeled such partnerships as security risks.

As part of the investigation, federal officials are requesting detailed financial records from Michigan, along with information about research collaborations with foreign institutions. They argue that the university has been “incomplete, inaccurate, and untimely” in its reporting regarding foreign funding sources.

Recent incidents have intensified scrutiny. In June, the FBI intervened to stop a Chinese scientist and his partner from importing a toxic fungus. Shortly thereafter, a different Chinese scientist was arrested for sending biological materials to Michigan, highlighting imminent threats tied to research partnerships.

The University of Michigan has pledged to review its research protocols, emphasizing a commitment to national security. However, some faculty members, like Ann Chih Lin of the Center for Chinese Studies, have claimed that fears of technological theft from China are exaggerated. This stance has drawn criticism from the Education Department, which expressed concern that such sentiments could undermine the university’s responsibility to safeguard taxpayer interests.

Historically, laws requiring universities to disclose foreign gifts and contracts above $250,000 were loosely enforced until the Trump administration intensified scrutiny in 2017. This led to numerous investigations into alleged underreporting of foreign funding. While many of those cases were dropped under Biden, the focus has recently resurfaced.

It’s important to recognize that U.S. universities are navigating a complex landscape. While they admit the need for improved research security, many caution against unfairly targeting Chinese scholars, emphasizing that only a small fraction of them are involved in espionage. For context, a report last year noted that federal funding had inadvertently supported Chinese advancements in areas like artificial intelligence and semiconductor technology, raising alarm bells about potential repercussions for national security.

China remains a significant source of international students in the U.S. With over 270,000 Chinese students in the 2023-24 academic year, representing about a quarter of all foreign students, universities are balancing their need for foreign talent with security concerns.

For more information on this topic, you can read the full investigation report from the Education Department.

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