The University of Delaware has agreed to pay $715,580 to settle civil allegations regarding a professor's undisclosed affiliations with the Chinese government. This announcement was made by David C. Weiss, U.S. Attorney for the District of Delaware.
The issue stems from a NASA grant awarded to the university in June 2020. Federal law prohibits NASA from using funds to collaborate with China or Chinese-owned companies since 2011. The settlement addresses allegations that the university failed to disclose one of its principal investigators' connections with the Chinese government, which included employment at a Chinese university, participation in a recruitment program for foreign technology intellectual property, and receiving a grant from the National Natural Science Foundation of China.
David C. Weiss emphasized the importance of transparency in grant applications: “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.” He added that his office would hold accountable those who compromise the integrity of federal grant processes.
Adelle K. Harris from NASA’s Office of Inspector General (OIG) highlighted their commitment to pursuing individuals who conceal foreign affiliations: “NASA’s Office of Inspector General (OIG) is dedicated to identifying and aggressively pursuing individuals who conceal affiliations with foreign entities and undermine the integrity of our academic system to obtain research funding.”
The resolution resulted from collaboration between the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Delaware and NASA-OIG, managed by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Shamoor Anis and Claudia L. Pare.
It is important to note that these claims are allegations only, with no determination of liability made.