S. 769 · On the floor · Science, Technology, Communications

United States Research Protection Act of 2025

Sponsor: John Cornyn (R-TX)

What it does

• Clarifies the definition of a malign foreign talent recruitment program under the Research and Development, Competition, and Innovation Act, part of the CHIPS and Science 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.
• Keeps the bar on federally funded researchers participating in programs where foreign countries pay or incentivize conflicting or unauthorized activities.

Official summary

United States Research Protection Act of 2025 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

Jul 22, 2025: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 123.

Committee: Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation