Key Takeaways
- The U.S. Department of Education will launch a new portal on Jan. 2, 2026, to improve how universities report foreign gifts and contracts.
- The system replaces an outdated portal and aims to strengthen compliance with Section 117 of the Higher Education Act.
- Trump administration officials argue the update is necessary after years of weak enforcement, while universities contributed feedback during testing.
- Noncompliant institutions risk federal investigations and possible Department of Justice action.
New Federal Portal to Track Foreign Funding at U.S. Universities Set for 2026 Launch
The U.S. Department of Education announced that a modernized foreign funding reporting portal will go live on January 2, 2026, marking a major update to how colleges disclose overseas gifts and contracts.
According to multiple agency statements, the portal is designed to help institutions comply with Section 117 of the Higher Education Act, which requires reporting of foreign contributions valued at $250,000 or more.
Administration’s Position
Education Secretary Linda McMahon said the system represents a renewed commitment to transparency, asserting that previous enforcement “was neglected under the Biden administration.”
She told The Daily Signal that the upgraded portal will help universities “more efficiently and securely” meet their legal obligations while supporting national security efforts.
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Portal Features and Testing
According to Department of Education releases, the portal includes bulk-upload capabilities, summary visualizations for public transparency, and new tools for drafting and reviewing reports. Nine universities—including the University of Texas at Austin, Purdue University, and the University of Arizona—participated in beta testing and provided feedback.
Compliance and Enforcement Context
Agency officials note that past compliance rates have been low, prompting investigations into several major institutions, including Harvard and UC Berkeley. A recent executive order issued in April 2025 emphasized stricter oversight of foreign influence in higher education.
Also in the news: Northwestern University Secures Federal Funds After $75 Million Settlement With Trump Administration