Overview
- The Defense Department published an updated Section 1286 roster that names 130 academic and research institutions in China, Russia and Iran and says those entities raise a heightened risk of U.S. research being misappropriated.
- The list, which has long included military-linked schools, now reportedly adds elite civilian Chinese universities such as Fudan and Shanghai Jiao Tong, widening the scope of barred partners.
- Under the update, DoD-funded researchers will be prohibited from collaborating with listed institutions or using their equipment, with restrictions described as taking effect in the 2026 fiscal year.
- The department distinguishes Section 1286 from its separate 1260H roster of Chinese military companies and says the change responds to concerns about technology transfer, foreign military or intelligence ties, and state-backed talent programs.
- Pentagon research leadership issued new guidance earlier this year and plans to stand up a centralized repository to manage risk reviews by the fourth quarter of 2026, a step meant to speed enforcement and oversight across DoD-funded research.