By John Dobberstein, Editor
TAHLEQUAH — The Department of War has ordered 30 domestic academic institutions in the U.S., including Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, to conduct an “immediate and comprehensive” review of their financial and research collaborations with foreign entities of concern or potentially lose federal research funding.
The order addresses “active institutional ties and collaborations” with foreign entities identified under the National Defense Authorization Act, as well as organizations associated with rebranded Confucius Institutes. Oklahoma State University was also included in the list of institutions.
For NSU to keep its eligibility for future federal research funding it must complete the audit of all identified foreign collaborations, assess the exposure of sensitive or export-controlled research, and implement strict mitigation plans, including the termination of problematic partnerships, the government said.
Institutions are required to report their findings and actions directly to the Department of War no later than Aug. 31.
The DOW said the action was meant to “protect American taxpayer-funded research investments from unauthorized technology transfer, intellectual property theft and adversarial exploitation.”
In a statement shared with local media, Danny Mabery, Vice President for University Relations & External Affairs, said the university completed a comprehensive review of its academic, financial, and research relationship with Guangzhou College of Technology and Business (GCTB), “including the potential exposure of sensitive, Department-funded, or export-controlled research.”
The review confirmed the relationship with GCTB is, “limited exclusively to undergraduate teaching and degree completion,” the university said. “Additionally, NSU’s review found no GCTB collaboration with a PRC national-level or military laboratory.
“Based on this comprehensive review, NSU identified no research security risk arising from the GCTB relationship and found no exposure of DoW-funded, sensitive, proprietary, or export- controlled research.”
Mabery said NSU, “recognizes the importance of protecting federally funded research, controlled technology and the integrity of the U.S. research enterprise, and conducts an annual review of its relationship with GCTB to ensure the integrity and security of the program.”
GCTB did not appear on the DOW’s most recent list of foreign entities “engaging in problematic activities” under Section 1286 of the NDAA for 2025.
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