Defending Defense Research from Chinese Communist Party Espionage Act of 2025

This bill aims to protect Department of Defense-funded research from foreign adversaries by restricting contracts and imposing post-employment limitations. Effective January 1, 2027, institutions of higher education conducting DoD-funded research are prohibited from entering into contracts with covered nations or foreign entities of concern . The Secretary of Defense can issue waivers for these contracts if they are determined to benefit the institution's mission and students, and promote U.S. security and economic vitality. The waiver process requires a detailed request, including the contract text, and mandates Congressional notification. Existing contracts entered before January 1, 2026, are subject to a specific waiver process, and institutions must terminate contracts if a foreign partner is subsequently designated as a foreign entity of concern . The bill also requires the Department of Defense to maintain a public database of waivers and submit annual reports to Congress. Additionally, the legislation imposes post-employment restrictions on principal investigators of covered defense research projects involving critical or emerging technologies . These individuals must agree not to seek or accept employment or financial compensation from a foreign entity of concern for a 10-year period after their involvement in such research concludes. The Secretary of Defense retains the authority to waive this restriction for U.S. persons, provided Congress receives prior notification and justification.