The Department of War announced sweeping new measures on Thursday to protect military-funded research from foreign espionage and intellectual property theft.
Under Secretary of War for Research and Engineering Emil Michael unveiled restrictions targeting Chinese military companies and enhanced monitoring systems across the department’s research programs.
The initiative responds to growing concerns about adversaries exploiting American scientific advances funded by taxpayer dollars. Congressional oversight committees have pressed for stronger safeguards as China intensifies efforts to acquire sensitive technologies.
“The War Department is intensifying its efforts to safeguard taxpayer-funded research and is upholding the integrity of America’s scientific community,” said Michael.
The department will immediately ban research funding for companies listed under Section 1260H of the National Defense Authorization Act. This provision identifies Chinese military firms operating within U.S. borders.
A new Fundamental Research Risk Review Repository will centralize threat information across military branches. The system aims to detect suspicious patterns and share intelligence between research programs.
Officials plan to deploy automated vetting tools to monitor grant recipients continuously. Annual spot checks will increase alongside standardized reporting requirements for foreign financial support.
The measures extend beyond passive monitoring. Research security personnel will receive expanded training while congressional committees coordinate assessments of flagged cases.
Michael emphasized the strategic stakes: “The War Department will continue to secure the bleeding edge of discovery, so our warfighters remain the most lethal force on earth.”
Implementation begins immediately across all Department of War research components. The enhanced protocols aim to preserve America’s military technological advantages amid intensifying global competition.
