Protecting Academic Integrity Act of 2026

This legislation amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to significantly enhance transparency regarding foreign financial interactions with institutions of higher education. It reduces the reporting threshold for gifts and contracts from foreign sources from $250,000 to $50,000 , requiring more institutions to disclose these financial ties. Furthermore, institutions must now provide more specific details in their reports, including the particular department, agency, office, or division of the foreign government responsible for the gift or contract, when available. The bill also mandates that institutions report the purpose or intention of any foreign gift or contract. If a specific purpose is not identified, the institution must disclose its intended use for the funds and the internal department or account that will receive them. To assess the effectiveness of these disclosure requirements, the bill directs the Comptroller General of the United States to conduct a comprehensive study on institutional compliance, reasons for non-compliance, and federal efforts to improve adherence, with a report to Congress due within one year of the bill's enactment.