To amend the Research and Development, Competition, and Innovation Act to require each institution of higher education to certify as part of an application for a research and development award that such institution does not operate certain branch campuses, and for other purposes.

This bill amends the Research and Development, Competition, and Innovation Act to establish a new research security requirement for institutions of higher education. Within two years of its enactment, federal research agencies will be mandated to require IHEs applying for federal research and development awards to include a certification. This certification must affirm that the institution does not operate a branch campus in any of the specified foreign countries.

The list of designated countries includes the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, the Islamic Republic of Iran, the People's Republic of China, the Republic of Cuba, the Republic of Turkey, the Russian Federation, and the State of Qatar, with the Secretary of State able to add others. A "branch campus" is specifically defined as a permanent, geographically separate unit offering degrees or credentials, possessing its own faculty, administration, and budgetary authority. This legislative change aims to enhance the security of federally funded research by preventing institutions with direct educational operations in nations identified as potential security risks from receiving awards.