University of Delaware forks over $715,580 to NASA after professor’s secret China ties exposed.
At a Glance
- University of Delaware settles with NASA for $715,580 over undisclosed professor’s ties to China
- Professor Xiao-Hai Yan linked to China’s Thousand Talents Program while working on NASA-funded research
- Settlement highlights critical national security concerns in federally funded research
- University claims no wrongdoing, citing decision to avoid costly litigation
NASA Grant Controversy Uncovers China Connections
The University of Delaware (UD) has agreed to pay $715,580 to settle claims that it failed to disclose a professor’s ties to China when accepting a NASA grant. This settlement, announced by the Department of Justice, sheds light on the ongoing concerns about foreign influence in American academia and research. The case centers around Professor Xiao-Hai Yan, whose undisclosed affiliations with Chinese institutions and programs raised red flags in the context of federally funded research.
In 2020, UD accepted a NASA grant for a research center focused on satellite data for weather, climate, and ocean studies. The university certified that the funds would not be used to collaborate with China, as such collaboration is prohibited under federal law. However, it was later discovered that Professor Yan, the lead researcher on the project, had significant ties to China that were not disclosed during the grant application process.
Allegations arose that UD caused NASA to violate this law by failing to disclose that one of the principal investigators on the grant was affiliated with the Chinese governmenthttps://t.co/zyfMxygCx1
— Delaware LIVE News (@live_delaware) December 17, 2024
Thousand Talents Program and National Security Concerns
Yan’s involvement in China’s Thousand Talents Program has raised serious national security concerns. This program, aimed at recruiting foreign experts, has been flagged by U.S. intelligence agencies as a potential avenue for the Chinese government to access sensitive research and technology. The FBI has reported on China’s use of such recruitment programs to gain access to valuable intellectual property and research findings.
“Federal law requires universities, institutions, and researchers to make disclosures, including certain foreign affiliations, when applying for grants so that the granting agencies can assess whether to fund their research and development,” U.S. Attorney David C. Weiss said. “My office will hold accountable applicants who undermine the integrity of the federal grant process by knowingly failing to submit complete and truthful applications.”
The settlement reveals that Yan was not only affiliated with Xiamen University in China but also received funding from the National Science Foundation of China while the NASA grant was active. These undisclosed connections directly contradict the university’s certification that no funds would be used for collaboration with China.
University’s Response and Implications
The University of Delaware, while agreeing to the settlement, has not admitted any liability. A university spokesperson stated, “The university relies, in part, on the candor and complete disclosures of individuals involved in the grant process. As noted in the release, this settlement is not an admission of wrongdoing by the university, but rather a strategic decision to avoid costly and distracting litigation.”
“Along with our law enforcement partners, we will continue to safeguard taxpayer funds that are intended for federal research and development programs,” said Adelle K. Harris, a special agent in charge for the NASA Inspector General.
This case highlights the critical need for transparency and thorough vetting in the federal grant process, especially when it comes to research that could have national security implications. It also underscores the ongoing challenges universities face in balancing international collaboration with the need to protect sensitive information and technologies.
Through talent recruitment programs like the Thousand Talents Program, the Chinese Communist Party pays scientists at American universities to steal knowledge and research to share with China. Learn more about this threat to academia at https://t.co/eeJonRi0g3. pic.twitter.com/oaElvnB5YF
— FBI (@FBI) September 7, 2020
Broader Implications for Academia and National Security
The UD settlement is not an isolated incident but part of a larger pattern of concerns about foreign influence in American research institutions. Similar cases have emerged across the country, including notable instances of misconduct related to the Thousand Talents Program. These cases have resulted in legal consequences for researchers who failed to disclose foreign ties or improperly shared sensitive information.
As the U.S. government continues to scrutinize foreign involvement in federally funded research, universities and research institutions must remain vigilant. The integrity of the grant process and the protection of valuable intellectual property are paramount to maintaining America’s technological edge and national security.
