April 28, 2026
Mr. Scott of Florida introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation
To amend the Research and Development, Competition, and Innovation Act to require each institution of higher education to certify as part of an application for a research and development award that such institution does not operate certain branch campuses, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
Section 1. Research security requirement for institutions of higher education
(a) In general
Subtitle D of title VI of the Research and Development, Competition, and Innovation Act (42 U.S.C. 19231 et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 10634 the following new section:
10634A. Research security requirement for institutions of higher education
(a) In general
Not later than two years after the date of the enactment of this section, each head of a Federal research agency shall require an institution of higher education applying for a research and development award from such agency to include on an application for such an award a certification that such institution does not operate a branch campus in any of the following:
(1)
The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.
(2)
The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.
(3)
The Islamic Republic of Iran.
(4)
The People’s Republic of China.
(5)
The Republic of Cuba.
(6)
The Republic of Turkey.
(7)
The Russian Federation.
(8)
The State of Qatar.
(9)
Any other country the Secretary of State determines appropriate.
(b) Branch campus defined
The term
branch campusmeans a unit of an institution of higher education that is geographically separate from the main campus of such institution and satisfies the following requirements:(1)
Is permanent in nature.
(2)
Offers courses leading to a degree, certificate, or other education credential.
(3)
Has the following:
(A)
Faculty and administration specific to such unit.
(B)
Budgetary and hiring authority.
(b) Clerical amendments
Public Law 117–167 is amended in the table of contents in sections 1 and 10000 by inserting after the items relating to section 10634 the following new items: