The University of Delaware will pay over $700,000 to settle claims it failed to disclose a professor’s ties to China when accepting a NASA grant.
At a Glance
- University of Delaware to pay $715,580 in settlement with NASA
- Professor Xiao-Hai Yan had undisclosed ties to China’s Thousand Talents Program
- Settlement does not admit liability but avoids costly litigation
- Case highlights concerns over foreign influence in federally funded research
University of Delaware Settles NASA Claims
The University of Delaware (UD) has agreed to pay $715,580 to settle claims that it failed to disclose a professor’s ties to China when accepting a NASA grant. The settlement, announced by the Department of Justice, stems from a 2020 NASA grant awarded to UD for research on carbon dioxide in the Gulf of Mexico.
Federal law requires universities and researchers to disclose foreign affiliations when applying for grants to ensure the integrity of the federal grant process. UD certified that funds would not be used to collaborate with China, which is prohibited under NASA regulations. However, it was later discovered that Professor Xiao-Hai Yan, associated with the grant, had undisclosed ties to China.
Allegations arose that UD caused NASA to violate this law by failing to disclose that one of the principal investigators on the grant was affiliated with the Chinese governmenthttps://t.co/zyfMxygCx1
— Delaware LIVE News (@live_delaware) December 17, 2024
Professor’s Undisclosed Chinese Connections
Yan, a faculty member at UD since 1990, was found to be affiliated with Xiamen University in China and had received funding from the National Science Foundation of China. More significantly, he was involved in China’s Thousand Talents Program, a recruitment initiative for foreign technology experts that has raised U.S. national security concerns.
“Federal law requires universities, institutions, and researchers to make disclosures, including certain foreign affiliations, when applying for grants so that the granting agencies can assess whether to fund their research and development,” U.S. Attorney David C. Weiss said. “My office will hold accountable applicants who undermine the integrity of the federal grant process by knowingly failing to submit complete and truthful applications.”
The FBI has reported on China’s use of recruitment programs like the Thousand Talents Program to access sensitive research. Notable cases of misconduct related to this program have resulted in legal consequences for participants, highlighting the seriousness of these undisclosed affiliations.
University’s Response and Settlement Terms
The University of Delaware maintains that the settlement is not an admission of wrongdoing but a strategic decision to avoid costly litigation. In a statement, a university spokesperson said, “The university relies, in part, on the candor and complete disclosures of individuals involved in the grant process. As noted in the release, this settlement is not an admission of wrongdoing by the university, but rather a strategic decision to avoid costly and distracting litigation.”
The settlement does not prevent potential criminal charges against involved parties. Adelle K. Harris, a special agent in charge for the NASA Inspector General, emphasized the importance of safeguarding taxpayer funds intended for federal research and development programs.
