H.R. 1318 · Passed House · Science, Technology, Communications

United States Research Protection Act

What it does

Clarifies the definition of a malign foreign talent recruitment program under the Research and Development, Competition, and Innovation Act.
Specifies that the restrictions apply to programs sponsored by a foreign country of concern, including China, Iran, North Korea, and Russia.
Clarifies that such programs may involve direct or indirect compensation or incentives from those countries.
Applies to the existing prohibition on federally funded researchers participating in such programs.

Official summary

United States Research Protection Act This bill clarifies the definition of a malign foreign talent recruitment program under the Research and Development, Competition, and Innovation Act. The Research and Development, Competition, and Innovation Act, which was included in the CHIPS and Science Act, prohibits researchers who receive federal funds from participating in malign foreign talent recruitment programs, in which foreign countries incentivize or compensate researchers for activities that present a conflict of interest for the researcher or that are otherwise unauthorized (e.g., sharing proprietary information without proper authorization). The bill clarifies that these restrictions apply to programs that are sponsored by a foreign country of concern, including China, Iran, North Korea, and Russia. The bill also clarifies that malign foreign talent recruitment programs may involve direct or indirect compensation or incentives from such countries.

Latest action

Mar 25, 2025: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Committee: Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation