Brandeis Center urges Education Dept. to release delayed foreign funding data

September 2, 2026 - 01:28

The Louis D. Brandeis Center for Human Rights Under Law is calling on the U.S. Department of Education to release foreign funding data that was supposed to be made public months ago. The group says the delay is blocking important oversight of how outside money shapes university behavior, especially when it comes to antisemitism on campus.

In a formal letter to the department, the Brandeis Center argued that the data is essential for understanding whether foreign governments or organizations are using financial contributions to influence academic programs, hiring decisions, or disciplinary actions. The center also noted that without this information, students and parents cannot fully assess the climate at their schools.

The Education Department had previously committed to publishing the data under a federal reporting requirement, but the release has been pushed back without a clear explanation. The Brandeis Center is asking for a new timeline and for the department to explain the reason for the holdup.

The request comes amid growing scrutiny of foreign money in higher education. Lawmakers and advocacy groups have raised concerns that donations from certain countries may come with strings attached, potentially affecting how universities respond to incidents of harassment or hate speech. The Brandeis Center has been particularly focused on whether campuses are doing enough to protect Jewish students, and it believes the delayed data could reveal patterns that are currently hidden.

Supporters of the push say transparency is a basic expectation. They argue that universities routinely disclose domestic funding sources, so foreign contributions should be held to the same standard. Critics of the delay worry that the longer the records stay under wraps, the harder it will be to hold institutions accountable.

The Education Department has not yet responded publicly to the letter. The Brandeis Center says it will keep pressing the issue and may consider legal action if the records are not released soon.