Federal data shows $1B+ in foreign funding to Michigan’s top universities

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(The Center Square) – More than $1 billion in foreign funding has flowed to the University of Michigan and Michigan State University over the past decade, according to newly-released federal disclosure data.

The reports, released this week by the U.S. Department of Education, include updated 2025 disclosures from 555 American colleges and universities.

The University of Michigan–Ann Arbor ranked 27th nationally for total foreign funding since 2015, while the University of Michigan ranked 56th and Michigan State University ranked 73rd.

The release is part of a broader transparency push by the Trump administration aimed at strengthening oversight of foreign financial ties in higher education.

“President Trump and Secretary [Linda] McMahon are demanding full transparency around the foreign dollars flowing into America’s colleges and universities,” White House spokeswoman Liz Huston told TCS. “Exposing these foreign ties protects the integrity of academic research and safeguards our national security.”

In 2025, U.S. institutions reported more than $5.2 billion in foreign funding across more than 8,300 transactions. Since 2015, colleges and universities have disclosed $67.6 billion in foreign gifts and contracts, with Harvard University reporting the highest total. The funding originates from 220 countries, led by Qatar, China and Germany.

Under federal law, institutions must disclose foreign gifts and contracts valued at $250,000 or more. The federal government estimates, however, that only about 60% of foreign transactions are reported accurately and on time.

McMahon said the new public reporting portal is intended to improve transparency.

“Under President Trump’s leadership, we remain firmly committed to ensuring that universities uphold their legal and ethical obligations to disclose the true origins of their foreign relationships,” McMahon said. “This transparency is essential not only to preserving the integrity of academic research but also to ensure the security and resilience of our nation.”

Across Michigan, 16 higher education institutions reported a combined $1.3 billion in foreign funding since 2015. Among the state’s largest universities, China was the most notable funding source also identified as a country of concern.

Since 2015:

• The University of Michigan–Ann Arbor reported $618.5 million in foreign funding, including $66.7 million from China.

• The University of Michigan reported $240.3 million, including $11.3 million from China.

• Michigan State University reported $191.7 million, including $12.8 million from China.

None of the institutions responded to requests for comment.

These disclosures follow the 2025 arrests of multiple foreign students with ties to the University of Michigan on various federal charges, including smuggling and agroterrorism. Those charges only heightened both national and state concerns about foreign influence and potential security risks connected to overseas funding and research partnerships at U.S. universities.