Federal Probe Investigates University of Michigan Over Foreign Funding and Security Concerns

The University of Michigan is under federal investigation regarding its receipt of substantial foreign funding, with concerns about potential reporting violations. Over the past decade, the university has reportedly received more than $270 million from 38 different countries, some of which may not have been properly disclosed to authorities. This scrutiny follows an executive order signed by President Donald Trump aimed at increasing transparency about foreign financial influence in American universities, mandating accurate reporting of foreign funds. In a letter dated July 15, the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of the General Counsel indicated that Michigan may have submitted incomplete or inaccurate disclosures related to foreign funding, possibly violating statutory requirements. The university, classified as an 'R1' research institution, reported total research expenditures of $2.04 billion for FY24, including significant federal support from agencies like the Department of Defense, NIH, and NSF. The investigation also references a Department of Justice complaint concerning Chinese nationals smuggling dangerous biological materials into the U.S. for use at UM laborator...