Ohio State agrees to $2.1 million settlement over undisclosed China research ties

The short version

• Ohio State University agreed to pay $2.1 million to settle Justice Department allegations regarding undisclosed foreign ties on NASA and NSF grant applications.[Fox News]
• Federal officials stated the university learned in 2019 of a researcher's ties to China's Thousand Talents Program but delayed notifying agencies until 2023.[Fox News]
• The university stated it investigated and self-reported former researcher C.K. Shum, repaid the grant money, and cooperated with authorities.[Fox News]

Key facts

• Ohio State University agreed to pay $2.1 million to settle Justice Department allegations of failing to disclose researchers' ties to China on federal grant applications.[Fox News]
• The Justice Department alleged the university omitted affiliations and funding from Chinese entities in NASA and National Science Foundation applications between 2012 and 2023.[Fox News]
• According to the DOJ, Ohio State discovered in 2019 that a researcher on NASA grants was in China's Thousand Talents Program but did not report it until 2023.[Fox News]
• Ohio State stated that it investigated researcher C.K. Shum internally, self-reported the findings, and repaid the federal grant funds.[Fox News]
• The DOJ stated that other university employees connected to the grants had received funding from or maintained relationships with Chinese entities.[Fox News]

Sources

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.

• Ohio State pays $2.1M settlement as it admits researcher had ‘inappropriate foreign affiliations’ to ChinaFox News