University failed to disclose professor’s ties to Chinese government while accepting federal research funds

The University of Delaware (UD) reached a settlement agreement with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) after allegedly failing to disclose a professor’s ties to the Chinese government in violation of federal law.

UD’s principal investigator on a research grant from NASA was simultaneously receiving funding from the Chinese government, being employed at a university in China, and being involved in a Chinese government program meant “to recruit individuals with knowledge or access to foreign technology intellectual property,” according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Delaware. Federal law prohibits NASA funding from going towards programs with any association with China due to national security concerns.

“Federal law requires universities, institutions, and researchers to make disclosures, including certain foreign affiliations, when applying for grants so that the granting agencies can assess whether to fund their research and development,” David C. Weiss, U.S. attorney for Delaware, said in a statement. “My office will hold accountable applicants who undermine the integrity of the federal grant process by knowingly failing to submit complete and truthful applications.”

The settlement alleged that UD certified that no funds from the grant would be “used to participate, collaborate, or coordinate with the People’s Republic of China,” but the university listed Dr. Xiao-Hai Yan on the grant and failed to mention his unmistakable ties to the foreign nation. The university agreed to pay the U.S. $715,580 but did not admit liability, the settlement stated.

Chinese infiltration into American universities has become a prominent issue, with many Chinese-funded Confucius Institutes — Chinese language and culture centers — requiring institutions to share intelligence with the nation. The 2021 National Defense Authorization Act prohibited any funds from the Department of Defense (DOD) from going toward Chinese-linked programs.

“NASA’s Office of Inspector General (OIG) is dedicated to identifying and aggressively pursuing individuals who conceal affiliations with foreign entities and undermine the integrity of our academic system to obtain research funding,” Adelle K. Harris, Special Agent in Charge of the Eastern Field Office for NASA’s OIG, said in a statement. “We commend the exceptional investigative efforts of our agents, and the work of the USAO for the District of Delaware that resulted in this settlement. Along with our law enforcement partners, we will continue to safeguard taxpayer funds that are intended for federal research and development programs.”

UD did not immediately respond to the Daily Caller News Foundation’s request for comment.

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