Bill · H.R. 5253· House(119-HR-5253)
Protecting American Research and Talent Act
- Introduced
- 9/10/2025
- Last activity
- 9/10/2025 — Referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.
- Sponsored by
- Andy Barr
- Cosponsors
- None
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill is known as the Protecting American Research and Talent Act. It stops the use of Federal funds for awarding grants or contracts to institutions of higher education if they conduct fundamental research in collaboration with a covered entity. Federal agency heads are allowed to grant waivers on a case-by-case basis if it is determined to be in the national security interests of the United States. To be eligible for a waiver, an institution must meet specific international and foreign student enrollment caps. The legislation requires agency heads to submit congressional notices for any waivers granted. Additionally, agencies must submit an annual report to Congress regarding compliance and details about the waivers.
Yes· 3 of 5
Does this better protect the country from computer attacks?+7
The bill enhances national security by prohibiting federal funding for research collaborations with foreign entities of concern.
Does this make patent and copyright rules fairer?+6
Protects sensitive U.S. research and intellectual property from foreign adversaries.
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?+5
Requires agencies to submit detailed annual reports and congressional notices regarding waivers and compliance.
The opposite
Does this put more money into medical research?-4
Restricting federal grant collaborations with covered entities may limit certain fundamental research activities.
Does this put more money into scientific research?-3
Imposes new restrictions and compliance hurdles on higher education institutions applying for federal research funds.
Would students be better off under this?-2
Strict international enrollment caps for waiver eligibility could impact international student recruitment and diversity at universities.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
National Security Protection: Section 2(a) stops Federal funds from going toward fundamental research collaborations with certain covered entities, which helps protect our nation's research interests.
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Exemption for Persecuted Groups: Section 2(b)(2)(B) ensures that students from a foreign country of concern who are members of targeted persecuted groups do not count against the enrollment caps required for a school to get a waiver.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
-
Strict Waiver Limitations: Section 2(b)(2)(A) places strict enrollment caps on institutions of higher education, requiring international enrollment to be less than 15 percent and enrollment of students from foreign countries of concern to be less than 5 percent of the international student body to even be eligible for a waiver.
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Increased Bureaucratic Reporting: Section 2(c) requires Federal agencies to submit annual reports and detailed justifications to Congress, which may create extra administrative burdens for managing research funding.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+5Increases Federal Power+4
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Improves Cybersecurity Defense+7
- Healthcare
- Increases Research Funding-4
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Immigrants+5Good For Students-2
- Education And Technology
- Improves Intellectual Property Fairness+6Increases Scientific Research Funding-3
- 9/10/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.