Moolenaar Sought Funding Restrictions for Chinese Entities

Representative John Moolenaar urged the Defense Department to blacklist 120 Chinese institutions from receiving US research funds.

Updated on Oct. 9, 2026 in Semiconductors

Isometric editorial illustration of a silicon wafer on a metallic plinth, representing institutional research security and technical oversight. — Representative John Moolenaar has requested that the Department of Defense blacklist 120 Chinese institutions to prevent federal funding from supporting restricted technical research. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Should the US government restrict research funding for universities collaborating with Chinese technology labs?

Representative John Moolenaar, chair of the House Select Committee on China, sent a letter requesting that 58 Chinese universities and 62 technology labs be added to a federal restricted list. This move aims to block the Department of Defense from providing research funding to any entities partnering with these Chinese institutions.

Why it matters

The proposal targets organizations involved in semiconductors, AI, and quantum computing to mitigate national security risks associated with federal funding. The Defense Department views collaborations with these specific institutions as a compliance risk to US research assets.

The proposal targets 120 institutions, including Tsinghua University, which currently maintains an advisory board featuring top executives from Nvidia, Apple, and Advanced Micro Devices. The request follows recent investigations into 30 US universities regarding their collaboration with already listed entities.

The players

John Moolenaar

He is a U.S. Representative who chairs the House Select Committee on China.

Tsinghua University

This is a major research university in China that focuses on engineering, computer science, and technology.

Nvidia

This is a multinational technology company known for designing graphics processing units and AI hardware.

Apple

This is a technology corporation that produces consumer electronics and software.

Advanced Micro Devices

This is a semiconductor company that develops computer processors and related technologies.

The details

Representative Moolenaar submitted the formal request to the Defense Department in an effort to restrict funding streams flowing to entities focused on advanced technical fields. The department continues to evaluate the compliance risks associated with any US academic institutions working with the flagged Chinese laboratories and universities.

In August 2026, the Defense Department announced investigations into 30 US schools regarding their collaboration with listed institutions.
In October 2026, Representative Moolenaar sent a letter requesting these specific additions to the 1286 list.

The Tech Race

This proposal marks an escalation in the ongoing effort to decouple US federal research funding from Chinese development in critical technical sectors like AI and quantum computing. It follows a pattern of heightened regulatory scrutiny that is forcing major American technology companies to re-evaluate their institutional ties in China.

If implemented, these restrictions could significantly alter the research collaboration landscape for US universities and tech firms currently partnered with Chinese labs. Companies and academics may face stricter compliance requirements or the termination of joint projects involving sensitive emerging technologies.

The takeaway

The move underscores the growing tension between international academic collaboration and national security priorities in the semiconductor and AI sectors. Stakeholders in higher education and technology must prepare for increased federal oversight regarding cross-border research partnerships.