H.R. 8558House119th Congress (2025-2027)In Committee

To amend the Research and Development, Competition, and Innovation Act to require each institution of higher education to certify as part of an application for a research and development award that such institution does not operate certain branch campuses, and for other purposes.

AI-Generated Summary

Updated May 7, 2026 at 9:22 AM UTC

This bill amends the Research and Development, Competition, and Innovation Act to add a new security requirement for colleges and universities that seek federal research and development awards. Within two years, each federal research agency must require applicants to certify that they do not operate any branch campuses in a specified list of foreign countries. The rule applies to all higher‑education institutions that apply for such awards and is intended to protect U.S. research from potential foreign influence.

Key Provisions

Creates a new Section 10634A that obligates institutions of higher education to certify on award applications that they have no branch campuses in the listed countries.
Specifies the prohibited countries: Venezuela, North Korea, Iran, China, Cuba, Turkey, Russia, Qatar, and any other nation the Secretary of State designates.
Defines a “branch campus” as a permanent, geographically separate unit that offers degree‑granting programs, has its own faculty and administration, and possesses independent budget and hiring authority.
Sets a deadline of two years after enactment for federal research agencies to implement the certification requirement.
Updates the table of contents of the Act to include the new Section 10634A.

Legislative Activity

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1 earlier action

HouseIntro Referral Latest Action

Referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.

Science, Space, and Technology Committee

April 28, 2026

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

April 28, 2026

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.

Science, Space, and Technology Committee

April 28, 2026

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued April 28, 2026

119th CONGRESS

2d Session

H. R. 8558

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

April 28, 2026

Ms. Stefanik (for herself and Mr. Gottheimer) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology

A BILL

To amend the Research and Development, Competition, and Innovation Act to require each institution of higher education to certify as part of an application for a research and development award that such institution does not operate certain branch campuses, and for other purposes.

Research security requirement for institutions of higher education

(a)

In general

Subtitle D of title VI of the Research and Development, Competition, and Innovation Act (42 U.S.C. 19231 et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 10634 the following new section:

10634A.

Research security requirement for institutions of higher education

(a)

In general

Not later than two years after the date of the enactment of this section, each head of a Federal research agency shall require an institution of higher education applying for a research and development award from such agency to include on an application for such an award a certification that such institution does not operate a branch campus in any of the following:

(1)

The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.

(2)

The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.

(3)

The Islamic Republic of Iran.

(4)

The People’s Republic of China.

(5)

The Republic of Cuba.

(6)

The Republic of Turkey.

(7)

The Russian Federation.

(8)

The State of Qatar.

(9)

Any other country the Secretary of State determines appropriate.

(b)

Branch campus defined

The term branch campus means a unit of an institution of higher education that is geographically separate from the main campus of such institution and satisfies the following requirements:

(1)

Is permanent in nature.

(2)

Offers courses leading to a degree, certificate, or other education credential.

(3)

Has the following:

(A)

Faculty and administration specific to such unit.

(B)

Budgetary and hiring authority.

(b)

Clerical amendments

Public Law 117–167 is amended in the table of contents in sections 1 and 10000 by inserting after the items relating to section 10634 the following new items:

Sec. 10634A. Research security requirement for institutions of higher education.