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Foreign Talent Recruitment Program

Foreign Talent Recruitment Program

Foreign Talent Recruitment Programs (FTRP) are funded, managed, and organized by foreign governments (directly or indirectly) to recruit faculty, professionals, and – in some cases – students in targeted science and technology areas/disciplines without regard to a participant’s national origin and/or citizenship.

FTRP sponsors may include national, regional or local governments as well as non-U.S. universities. The foreign government sponsor may not explicitly state that the opportunity/activity is part of a FTRP.

While many FTRPs are legitimate and have mutually beneficial purposes, some may require or incentivize activities that are contrary to regulations, policies, and core research values to attract and retain talent.  These are referred to as Malign FTRPs (MFTRP).  

Congress, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and other government organizations view MFTRPs as threats to the integrity and security of the U.S. research enterprise. The CHIPS and Science Act of 2022 prohibits participation in a MFTRP by covered individuals involved with research and development awards from federal research agencies and directs those agencies to maintain policies that require covered individuals to disclose all participation in FTRPs, and prohibit recipients of federal support from participating in any MFTRPs.

Therefore, faculty and researchers should carefully consider participation in FTRPs and seek assistance from the Office of Research to help determine if an FTRP is a MFTRP.

Examples of Federally recognized malign foreign talent recruitment programs include but are not limited to:

  • Changjiang Scholar Distinguished Professorship
  • Hundred Talents Plan
  • Pearl River Talent Plan
  • River Talents Plan
  • Project 5-100
  • Thousand Talents Plan

Federal Sponsors with Malign FTRP Prohibitions

  • National Aeronautics and Space Administration (October 1, 2024): Senior/key personnel must certify they are not a party to a Malign Foreign Talent Recruitment Program.
  • Department of Defense (August 9, 2024): federal sponsor prohibited from funding research project that involves a covered individual participating in a malign FTRP; requires proposing institutions to have a policy on malign FTRP pursuant to CHIPS and Science Act of 2022.
  • National Science Foundation (May 20, 2024): senior/key persons are required to certify that they are not party to a malign FTRP.