WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Department of Education (ED) has issued a formal records request to Harvard University following a review that uncovered incomplete and inaccurate disclosures of foreign gifts and contracts. This action, dated April 17, marks a critical step in enforcing federal transparency rules under Section 117 of the Higher Education Act of 1965. The law requires universities receiving federal financial aid to report foreign gifts and contracts worth $250,000 or more annually.
“As a recipient of federal funding, Harvard University must be transparent about its relations with foreign sources and governments,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon. “Unfortunately, our review indicated that Harvard has not been fully transparent or complete in its disclosures, which is both unacceptable and unlawful.” McMahon emphasized the need for accountability, noting, “This records request is the Trump Administration’s first step to ensure Harvard is not being manipulated by, or doing the bidding of, foreign entities.”
The Department has requested that Harvard submit detailed information within 30 days, including a full list of foreign gifts, grants, and contracts along with their associated parties, procedures for compliance with Section 117, and records related to expelled foreign students or those with revoked credentials since January 2016. The request also covers research funding for foreign students and affiliations with foreign governments in the university’s hiring and visiting scholar programs.
Section 117 was implemented to safeguard national security and preserve the academic integrity of U.S. higher education institutions. Enacted as part of the 1986 amendments to the Higher Education Act, the provision mandates biannual reports on foreign influence to the ED. Noncompliance can result in civil action or the loss of federal funding eligibility. A 2020 report from the Trump Administration revealed widespread failures in university reporting, citing over $6.5 billion in undisclosed foreign gifts and contracts across U.S. higher education institutions.
This latest inquiry underscores the federal government’s commitment to combating foreign influence in academia. The Education Department’s actions reflect broader concerns about the transparency and integrity of major U.S. research institutions. Moving forward, Harvard’s compliance with the records request will serve as an important benchmark in the ongoing effort to protect national interests and ensure accountability in higher education.
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