Trump admin reveals first-of-its-kind funding data in elite college crackdown

February 12, 2026 - 09:46

In an unprecedented disclosure, federal officials have revealed that American colleges and universities received a staggering $5.2 billion in foreign gifts and contracts during a single calendar year. This first-of-its-kind data release marks a significant escalation in the ongoing scrutiny of elite institutions' overseas financial ties.

The newly public figures for 2025 provide concrete scale to concerns long held by lawmakers and policymakers about the scale and potential influence of foreign money flowing into higher education. The move is seen as a direct part of a broader crackdown aimed at increasing transparency and safeguarding national security and research integrity.

Administration officials argue that such substantial funding necessitates strict oversight to ensure that academic collaborations do not compromise sensitive research or allow for undue foreign influence on campuses. The disclosure is expected to fuel further debate about the balance between open international academic exchange and the protection of intellectual property and national interests. Many institutions are now bracing for increased reporting requirements and more rigorous investigations into their funding sources and international partnerships.