(The Center Square) – Nearly $700 million in foreign funding has flowed to Minnesota institutes of higher education over the past decade, according to newly-released federal disclosure data.
The reports, released by the U.S. Department of Education, include updated 2025 disclosures from 555 American colleges and universities.
Of the 11 Minnesota institutions looked at in the report, the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities brought in the majority of the funding since 2015—totaling more than $450 million. That ranks it 34th overall nationally.
Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science came in second with $212 million, while all nine other Minnesota institutions reported less than $5 million a piece.
The release is part of a broader transparency push by the Trump administration aimed at strengthening oversight of foreign financial ties in higher education.
“President Trump and Secretary [Linda] McMahon are demanding full transparency around the foreign dollars flowing into America’s colleges and universities,” White House spokeswoman Liz Huston told The Center Square. “Exposing these foreign ties protects the integrity of academic research and safeguards our national security.”
In 2025, U.S. institutions reported more than $5.2 billion in foreign funding across more than 8,300 transactions. Since 2015, colleges and universities have disclosed $67.6 billion in foreign gifts and contracts, with Harvard University reporting the highest total. The funding originates from 220 countries, led by Qatar, China and Germany.
Under federal law, institutions must disclose foreign gifts and contracts valued at $250,000 or more. The federal government estimates, however, that only about 60% of foreign transactions are reported accurately and on time.
McMahon said the new public reporting portal is intended to improve transparency.
“Under President Trump’s leadership, we remain firmly committed to ensuring that universities uphold their legal and ethical obligations to disclose the true origins of their foreign relationships,” McMahon said. “This transparency is essential not only to preserving the integrity of academic research but also to ensure the security and resilience of our nation.”
Of the institutions included on the report, the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities ranked 40th nationally for receiving the most funding from a country of concern.
Overall, since 2015:
• The University of Minnesota – Twin Cities reported $457 million in foreign funding, including $27 million from China. The United Kingdom, at $88 million, gave it the most of any country.
• Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science reported $212 million, including $9 million from China. The United Arab Emirates, at $36 million, gave it the most of any country.
• University of Minnesota Morris reported $4.7 million in foreign funding, with none coming from a country of concern. All of that came from France.
