(DCNF)—The Department of Education (ED) opened an investigation Thursday into the University of Pennsylvania (UPenn) over its alleged failure to accurately report the foreign funding it receives.
ED said the Ivy League university has a long history of “inaccurate and incomplete” reporting of foreign funding and has initiated a public records request from the school. The department is seeking information regarding UPenn’s tax records, all foreign gifts, grants, contracts and agreements the university has been involved with since 2017 as well as its internal policies regarding complying with federal disclosure requirements.
“UPenn has a troubling Section 117 compliance history, having failed to disclose any foreign funding until February of 2019 despite a decades-long statutory obligation to do so,” Acting General Counsel Tom Wheeler said in ED’s press release. “Although the previous Administration degraded the Department’s enforcement of universities’ legal obligations to disclose foreign gifts and contracts, the Trump Administration will vigorously uphold the law and ensure universities are transparent with their foreign gifts and investments.”
The department is also requesting information from UPenn on all staff responsible for conducting research in collaboration with foreign entities and those involved with administering the Foreign Government Talent Recruitment Program.
Higher education institutions are required by law to report donations of $250,000 or more from foreign sources.
The Trump administration made it a priority to root out foreign influence in American universities, with President Donald Trump signing an executive order in April demanding transparency with universities’ involvement with foreign entities and compliance with existing foreign funding reporting requirements. The administration has already put several universities, including Harvard University, under review for an alleged failure to accurately report their affiliations. Harvard reportedly accepted roughly $1.1 billion from foreign sources since 2017, according to an Open the Books report released in April. The organization also found that several universities may have failed to adequately disclose funds accepted from China, according to a January report.
UPenn has previously found itself at odds with ED officials due to its policy of allowing men to compete on women’s sports teams. The department in April issued an ultimatum to the school threatening its federal funds over its alleged noncompliance with Title IX.
UPenn did not immediately respond to the Daily Caller News Foundation’s request for comment.
“OGC [Office of the General Counsel] will investigate this matter thoroughly, ensuring that universities cannot conceal the infiltration of our nation’s campuses by foreign governments and other foreign interests,” Wheeler continued. “The American people and Congress have a right to know the impact of foreign funding on our universities, including some of our critically important research universities. We hope the University of Pennsylvania will be cooperative and forthcoming in response to this investigation.”
The ED investigation into foreign funding is coupled with an ongoing effort in Congress to restrict Department of Homeland Security funds for American universities that maintain partnerships with Chinese government-backed entities.
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Safeguarding Your American Dream: Discover the Power of America First Healthcare
In today’s economy, healthcare costs remain one of the biggest threats to financial stability and family security. Americans work hard to build a better life, yet rising medical expenses can quickly erode savings, force tough trade-offs, and even push families toward debt or bankruptcy. Medical bills continue to rank as the leading cause of personal bankruptcy in the United States, with millions facing underinsurance or unexpected out-of-pocket burdens that no one plans for. Many turn to government-run marketplace plans under the Affordable Care Act, hoping for relief, only to discover that what appears affordable on paper often delivers higher long-term costs, limited real protection, and coverage that may not align with personal values or family needs.
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Ultimately, protecting your family’s future requires looking beyond the marketing of “affordable” government options. By understanding the long-term costs hidden in high deductibles, shifting coverage tiers, and values mismatches, Americans can make empowered choices. Private, values-driven insurance offers a smarter path—one that rewards diligence, supports wellness, and delivers real security. For those ready to move beyond the limitations of traditional marketplace plans, a simple review can reveal options designed to serve families, not bureaucracies. The American Dream thrives when individuals and families retain control over their healthcare decisions, and thoughtful private coverage plays a vital role in making that possible.