In a significant disclosure that underscores the growing international ties in American higher education, U.S. colleges and universities reported receiving more than $5.2 billion in foreign gifts and contracts during 2025. This figure, drawn from over 8,300 individual transactions each valued at $250,000 or more, reflects data submitted to the U.S. Department of Education as required by federal law. The revelations come via an upgraded public transparency portal, marking a pivotal moment in how foreign funding flows into U.S. campuses are monitored and shared with the public.

Foreign gifts typically include donations from overseas individuals, foundations, or governments that support scholarships, buildings, or programs without expectation of direct services in return. Contracts, on the other hand, involve agreements where universities provide research, consulting, or educational services to foreign entities. Together, these funds fuel research initiatives, expand facilities, and attract global talent, but they also spark debates about transparency, national security, and academic independence.

The 2025 total represents a notable influx, building on years of increasing disclosures as enforcement has strengthened. For context, this funding supports everything from cutting-edge STEM labs to cultural exchange programs, directly impacting the quality of education and research available to students and faculty across the nation.

📊 Top Foreign Donors and University Recipients in 2025

Breaking down the 2025 data reveals clear leaders among foreign sources and U.S. institutions. Qatar emerged as the largest contributor with over $1.1 billion, accounting for more than 20% of the total. This funding often supports branch campuses and research centers, such as those operated by Texas A&M and Carnegie Mellon in Doha. The United Kingdom followed with over $633 million, largely from philanthropic foundations and collaborative research pacts. China contributed over $528 million, Switzerland $451 million—frequently tied to pharmaceutical partnerships—and Japan $374 million, bolstering tech and engineering projects.

Germany ($292 million) and Saudi Arabia ($285 million) rounded out the top seven, with funds spanning energy research to humanities endowments. These contributions come from both state-backed entities and private donors, highlighting diverse motivations from geopolitical alliances to pure philanthropy.

On the receiving end, elite research powerhouses dominated. Carnegie Mellon University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) each neared $1 billion, with Stanford University at over $775 million and Harvard at more than $324 million. These institutions leverage the funds for AI, robotics, and biomedical advancements, creating job opportunities in research assistant roles and faculty positions.

Smaller schools also benefit; for instance, public universities in Texas and Virginia report substantial contracts for energy and defense-related studies.

Historical Trends in Foreign Funding to U.S. Higher Education

Since Section 117 of the Higher Education Act took effect in 1986, U.S. universities have disclosed a cumulative $67.6 billion in foreign gifts and contracts through December 2025—with the bulk surfacing post-2019 due to ramped-up federal scrutiny. The 2025 figure marks a surge from prior years, where 2024 saw around $4.7 billion amid economic recovery and global partnerships.

• Pre-2019: Underreporting was rampant, with totals hovering below $1 billion annually.
• 2019-2022: Disclosures jumped to $2-3 billion yearly as audits intensified.
• 2023-2025: Steady climb to over $5 billion, driven by tech collaborations and endowment gifts.

This trend mirrors globalization: international students contribute $40+ billion yearly to the economy, while foreign funds bridge domestic budget gaps. However, over $2 billion of 2025's total was reported late, between February and December, prompting compliance reviews.

Historically, Ivy League schools lead in funds from "countries of concern" (e.g., China, Russia, Iran per federal lists), with Harvard topping at $610 million since 1986, followed by MIT ($490 million), NYU ($462 million), Stanford ($418 million), and Yale ($400 million). These often fund Confucius Institutes or joint labs, now under tighter oversight.

Understanding Section 117: The Law Behind Foreign Funding Disclosures

Enacted as part of the Higher Education Act of 1965 amendments, Section 117 (20 U.S.C. § 1011f) mandates that institutions receiving federal aid—like Title IV student loans—report foreign gifts or contracts aggregating $250,000+ quarterly if from one source, or annually otherwise. The goal? Promote transparency to safeguard academic integrity and national security.

Institutions must detail donor names, amounts, purposes, and agreements. Noncompliance risks Department of Justice probes, fines, or loss of federal funding. The Section 117 Foreign Funding Portal now offers interactive dashboards for public queries, a vast improvement from legacy spreadsheets.

In April 2025, President Trump issued an Executive Order on "Transparency Regarding Foreign Influence at American Universities," launching the portal and spurring investigations into Harvard, UPenn, UC Berkeley, and U Michigan for alleged underreporting. For more on the official release, see the Department of Education press release.

Implications and Concerns Surrounding Foreign Funding

Proponents argue foreign funds enrich U.S. higher ed: they bankroll 20%+ of research at top schools, spawn breakthroughs in quantum computing (Swiss gifts to MIT) and clean energy (Saudi contracts). Students gain global perspectives, and campuses host world-class facilities.

Yet concerns persist. Critics link Qatar's billions to campus antisemitism spikes post-2023, alleging influence via funded programs. China's gifts raise IP theft fears—U.S. officials cite cases of tech transfer via joint ventures. Policy wonks worry donor sway over curricula or hiring, especially at schools advising government.

For faculty eyeing professor jobs, this means vetting grants: ensure firewalls protect research independence. Students should probe funding when choosing schools, as it shapes program quality.

University Perspectives and Compliance Efforts

Universities maintain full compliance. MIT states: "Research is open and publishable regardless of source; we report all per law." The American Council on Education praises reporting rates but calls for contextual data to avoid misleading snapshots.

Many now audit donors rigorously, rejecting risky ties. Carnegie Mellon, a top recipient, channels Qatar funds transparently into its Education City campus abroad, fostering mutual exchange without domestic strings.

As scrutiny grows, expect more self-policing: ethics committees, donor disclosures, and diversified funding hunts.

Photo by Jimmy Woo on Unsplash

Looking Ahead: Solutions for Balanced International Partnerships

The 2025 disclosures herald a transparent era. Solutions include:

• Enhanced portal analytics for trend tracking.
• Federal incentives for domestic grants via scholarships and research awards.
• University-led transparency reports, detailing fund impacts.
• Training for admins on risk assessment.
• Congressional tweaks to Section 117 for real-time reporting.

For those in higher ed, opportunities abound: foreign-backed projects create demand for faculty jobs and postdocs. Check higher-ed-jobs/postdoc for openings in funded labs.

Explore university rankings and professor insights at Rate My Professor or career advice on Higher Ed Career Advice. Share your views below—how does foreign funding shape your campus experience? Visit university jobs or post openings at recruitment.

For deeper dives, read NPR's coverage on US colleges foreign gifts 2025.