Foreign Funding of US Universities Surges, Raising Scrutiny
American universities are receiving unprecedented levels of financial support from foreign sources, particularly from Qatar and China, sparking increased scrutiny from lawmakers and concerns about potential influence. A surge in disclosed foreign funding over the past four years represents more than double the total received in the previous four decades, according to a new report by the Network Contagion Research Institute.
Nearly $29 billion in foreign money was donated to U.S. Schools between 2021 and 2024, accounting for half of the estimated $57.97 billion in foreign funding since 1986, when federal tracking began. This influx of cash is prompting debate about transparency and academic freedom, with some raising alarms about the potential for “hostile powers” to exert influence on American campuses.
Qatar currently stands as the largest source of foreign donations to U.S. Universities, with a total of $6.6 billion contributed to date, according to a new White House funding portal. This surpasses its previous record of $6.3 billion since 1986. China follows closely behind, having donated $2.3 billion over the last four years, and a total of an undisclosed amount since tracking began. Germany contributed $3.3 billion over the last four years, and Saudi Arabia $1.9 billion.
The Department of Education’s recently launched foreign funding reporting portal reveals a total of $62.4 billion in disclosed funding dating back to 1981. While the figures have drawn attention, particularly from right-wing websites alleging Qatari influence, experts caution against drawing simplistic conclusions.
Alexander Cooley, a professor of political science at Barnard College, argues that simply listing the country of origin provides a “crude snapshot” of foreign funds. He emphasizes the importance of examining the purpose, terms, and stewardship of these funds, rather than solely focusing on the donor country. “Funding from authoritarian countries should be scrutinized to ensure that It’s transparent, that its acceptance does not compromise academic freedom or research integrity, and that the administration of these funds is not subject to interference by the funder,” Cooley said.
A significant portion of Qatar’s funding is directed towards institutions with branch campuses in the Gulf country. Columbia University, for example, has received over $1.2 billion in foreign funding, with China and England being major contributors. Loyola Marymount University (LMU) has also received foreign funding, though specific amounts and sources were not detailed in available reports.
The increased monitoring of foreign funding comes as the U.S. Government seeks to address concerns about potential espionage, intellectual property theft, and undue influence on academic research. Section 117 of the Higher Education Act requires institutions to disclose foreign-source gifts and contracts valued at $250,000 or more. However, some scholars argue that the enhanced scrutiny risks “politicizing” college donations and may not adequately address the financial challenges facing higher education.
The influx of foreign funding is not expected to fully offset budgetary constraints for universities, particularly if increased international funding leads to greater oversight. The debate over foreign funding is likely to continue as universities navigate the complex landscape of global partnerships and financial sustainability.
In 2025, US universities reported $5.2 billion in foreign funding from Qatar, China, and other sources, according to the Department of Education.
