Feds: Carnegie Mellon receives second-most foreign funding of any U.S. college

February 14, 2026 - 00:35

New federal data reveals Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) as the American university with the second-highest volume of foreign funding. According to disclosures compiled by the U.S. Department of Education, CMU reported nearly $3.9 billion in foreign gifts and contracts over a period spanning from 1986 to the present.

The prestigious institution trails only Harvard University in the total value of these international contributions. The released figures are part of an ongoing federal effort to increase transparency regarding the scale and sources of foreign financial support flowing into American higher education.

University officials emphasize that such global partnerships are fundamental to cutting-edge research and innovation. They note that these funds support critical work in fields like artificial intelligence, robotics, and engineering, often involving collaborative projects with international researchers and institutions. The funding is described as vital for maintaining America's competitive edge in science and technology.

The disclosure underscores the deeply interconnected nature of modern academic research, which frequently crosses national borders. While the scale of funding is significant, it reflects CMU's prominent global reputation and its active pursuit of international research collaborations that address complex global challenges. The university states all foreign contributions are received and managed in full compliance with federal reporting requirements and regulations.