Huawei Funds Millions In Secret US University Research: Report
The company is the sole funder behind an annual USD 1 million research competition administered by the Optica Foundation, a non-profit society based in Washington DC
Chinese Tech giant Huawei, blacklisted by the United States over national security concerns, has been quietly bankrolling cutting-edge research at prominent American universities like Harvard, according to findings by Bloomberg News.
The company is the sole funder behind an annual USD 1 million research competition administered by the Optica Foundation, a non-profit society based in Washington DC. Hundreds of proposals have poured in from scientists at top US institutions that have officially barred engaging with Huawei due to US restrictions.
Documents show the Optica Foundation has not been required to identify Huawei as the funding source for the competition, allowing the company’s role to remain confidential from applicants. Multiple university officials, applicants and even one judge said they were unaware of Huawei’s involvement until contacted by Bloomberg’s reporters.
The findings reveal a strategy by the Shenzhen-based Huawei to circumvent a web of US export controls and restrictions implemented over fears its telecommunications equipment could enable Chinese government espionage. By funding research through an independent third party, Huawei can potentially keep a foothold in next-generation technologies.
In a statement, Huawei claimed it kept its identity undisclosed merely to prevent the contest from being perceived as marketing, not out of malicious intent. Liz Rogan, CEO of the Optica Foundation, defended the anonymity as a "common practice" for some donors and asserted proper oversight.
However, the covert funding arrangement stands in contrast to Huawei’s publicly-branded research hubs it maintains in countries like France and Germany despite European Union warnings about security risks.
While the basic scientific research being funded is publishable under US regulations, experts warn the lack of transparency violates guidelines at universities and federal funding agencies that require disclosing foreign money sources. There are also concerns some results could ultimately aid Huawei’s commercial interests or have national security implications for US.
The revelations arrive as the US and China intensify battles over technological supremacy across domains like semiconductors, artificial intelligence and communications networks. Huawei’s ability to tap into American research raises thorny questions about safeguarding intellectual property while enabling open global collaboration fundamental to scientific progress.
