A group of senior House Republicans launched an investigation into Harvard University on Thursday, May 19, citing concerns over the schoolโs alleged collaborations with researchers linked to Iranโs government and Chinaโs military. The lawmakers sent a letter Thursday, requesting internal documents and communications regarding Harvardโs partnerships with foreign nationals, particularly those tied to adversarial regimes.
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Lawmakers say Harvard University researchers conducted at least four projects between 2020 and 2024 funded by the Iranian National Science Foundation, a U.S.-sanctioned entity.
The letter, signed by Reps. John Moolenaar, R-Mich., Tim Walberg, R-Mich., and Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., points to at least four research projects conducted between 2020 and 2024 that the Iranian National Science Foundation funded. The Iranian government controls the foundation, which is subject to U.S. sanctions. The lawmakers noted that such collaborations could violate the Iranian Transactions and Sanctions Regulations, prohibiting transactions involving Iranian government instrumentalities.
How is China linked to the investigation?
Beyond Iran, the letter raises broader national security concerns regarding Harvardโs reported work with Chinese researchers and institutions. Of particular concern is the universityโs reported engagement with members of the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps (XPCC), a paramilitary group sanctioned by the U.S. government for its role in the repression of Uyghur Muslims.
According to congressional investigators, Harvardโs China Health Partnership hosted policy training sessions that included XPCC officials. Chinese state media highlighted these events, prompting questions about the potential misuse of university resources. Lawmakers allege that these activities could further enable human rights abuses.
The letter details instances where Harvard researchers, funded by the Department of Defense, collaborated with faculty from Chinese universities on dual-use technologies. These included work with Tsinghua University on zero-indexed materials, with Zhejiang University on polymer science for aircraft components, and with Huazhong University on shape memory alloysโeach potentially applicable to military advancement.
What are the potential legal implications?
The lawmakers warn that the collaborations may violate U.S. sanctions and export control laws, particularly in cases involving Department of Defense or Air Force funding. They request a full accounting of Harvardโs research agreements involving foreign entities linked to sanctioned governments.
In addition, the letter criticizes the university for not disclosing these activities, calling the pattern โdisturbingโ and harmful to U.S. national security. โHarvard researchers should not be contributing to the military capabilities of a potential adversary,โ the lawmakers wrote. The lawmakers said the partnerships risk giving China a window into Pentagon priorities, arguing U.S. universities shouldn’t serve as a backdoor for adversaries to study defense strategy.
How has Harvard responded to the allegations?
In a brief response, a Harvard spokesperson acknowledged receipt of the letter and said the university will respond to the inquiry. The school has not publicly addressed the specific allegations.
Separately, Harvard President Alan Garber issued a message to alumni on Monday seeking financial support to counter what he described as politically motivated funding cuts from the Trump administration. The federal government froze funding for Harvard, prompting the university to draw from its funds and appeal to donors to sustain critical research programs.
