Emerging National Security Considerations for AMCs and Research Universities: Foreign Influence Oversight and Enforcement Trends

Our panelists discussed the interplay of foreign influence transparency mechanisms at U.S. grant-making agencies and highlight the key tools and trends that have defined the criminal enforcement strategy of the United States Department of Justice. The panel reviewed guidance from the National Institutes of Health and other agencies, and contextualized the government’s use of the Foreign Agents Registration Act and various criminal and civil statutes to target the perceived threat of foreign influence at U.S. research institutions. Finally, the panel considered whether a changing political environment will affect the future of foreign influence scrutiny.