US investigates Duke University, University Of North Dakota over foreign funding compliance

Nicholas Kent: Nicholas Kent is the Under Secretary of Education. In a recent statement, he emphasized expectations for full cooperation from the investigated universities and underscored the joint efforts of the Education and State Departments to ensure accountability in foreign funding disclosures. His comments framed the probes as part of broader administration priorities on transparency. Andrew Armacost: Andrew Armacost is the president of the University of North Dakota. He was sent a September 15 letter from the Department of Education highlighting the university's role in national security research and raising questions about its foreign funding reporting practices. The institution has not yet publicly responded in detail to the inquiries. Duke University: Duke University is a private research university based in Durham, North Carolina, with extensive academic and research programs across multiple disciplines. It maintains international partnerships, including a joint-venture campus in China known as Duke Kunshan University established through collaboration with Wuhan University. The institution is currently subject to federal investigations by the Departments of State and Education for alleged incomplete and untimely foreign funding disclosures under Section 117 of the Higher Education Act. Vincent E. Price: Vincent E. Price serves as president of Duke University. He received a formal letter from the Department of Education on September 15 detailing concerns over the university's foreign funding disclosures and research ties to Chinese institutions. Price's administration has stated it is reviewing the matter and remains committed to legal compliance. University of North Dakota: The University of North Dakota is a public research university in Grand Forks, North Dakota, with notable programs in aerospace and defense-related training. It partners with U.S. military entities including the North Dakota National Guard and the U.S. Air Force on uncrewed aerial systems initiatives. The university is under investigation alongside Duke for compliance issues with foreign gift and contract reporting requirements. Transparency Policy: Recent federal actions, including a Pentagon review of academic partnerships with foreign entities, reflect ongoing efforts to strengthen reporting standards for international gifts and contracts at U.S. universities. Foreign Influence Oversight: The U.S. Departments of Education and State are jointly reviewing compliance at higher education institutions to address potential undue foreign influence in research and operations. National Security Collaboration: Universities such as those under review often engage in defense-related research and training programs that intersect with federal security priorities.