Moolenaar Unveils Legislation to Protect Taxpayer Funded Research From China

Chairman John Moolenaar of the Select Committee on China and Senator Jim Banks (R-IN) today introduced the Securing Innovation and Research from Adversaries Act, legislation aimed at safeguarding federally funded research from exploitation by China and other foreign adversaries.

“The Trump Administration and the Department of War have made significant improvements to our nation’s research security, and this legislation turns their executive actions into law,” said Moolenaar. “We must protect taxpayer-funded research from ever benefiting our adversaries. Departments across the government and our universities must step up and make sure they are not working with Chinese researchers on dual-use technologies that could one day be used against our country.”

“The CCP should not get a single dime, directly or indirectly, of American research funding. This bill ensures taxpayer dollars don’t end up in the hands of individuals or institutions blacklisted by the US Government for their support of the CCP’s malign activities. America must stop funding our adversaries,” said Senator Jim Banks (R-IN).

The legislation establishes a clear, government-wide prohibition on the use of federal research funds for collaborations with entities and individuals on U.S. government blacklists, many of which are linked to China’s military, intelligence services, and military-civil fusion strategy.

Last year, the Select Committee highlighted the urgent need for such action, noting that federal STEM funding should never support institutions or researchers that collaborate with China’s military and intelligence apparatus. This legislation delivers on that priority.

The bill broadly defines “research collaboration” to include joint research projects, co-authorship, data sharing, personnel exchanges, and other forms of cooperation ensuring that all avenues of potential technology transfer are covered. It applies to all recipients of federal research funding, including universities, national laboratories, and private entities.

Importantly, the legislation incorporates targeted waiver authority for cases that serve critical national security, scientific, or public health interests, while requiring transparency and congressional notification to prevent abuse.

The Select Committee has repeatedly demonstrated in investigative findings that the CCP actively exploits the openness of academia, research partnerships, and scientific collaboration to acquire sensitive technologies and advance its military capabilities. By prohibiting federally funded researchers from working with entities on key restricted lists, including those tied to China’s military-industrial base, this legislation represents a significant step toward protecting U.S. technological leadership. 

Read the bill text here.