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

The Ohio State University has agreed to a $2.1 million settlement with the federal government over allegations that it failed to disclose a former researcher’s “inappropriate foreign affiliations” with Chinese universities and state-run organizations. The Justice Department accused the university of not revealing these ties, including participation in China’s Thousand Talents Program, in grant applications submitted to NASA and the National Science Foundation. Ohio State stated it uncovered the affiliations itself and reported them, subsequently suspending the researcher’s privileges and repaying grant funds.

• Ohio State University settled for $2.1 million to resolve federal allegations of failing to disclose researcher C.K. Shum’s foreign affiliations.
• The university allegedly did not disclose ties to Chinese universities and state-run research organizations in grant applications to NASA and NSF from 2012-2023.
• A key allegation involved the principal investigator’s participation in China’s Thousand Talents Program.
• Ohio State claims it uncovered the affiliations, reported them to federal authorities, and took disciplinary action against the researcher, who is no longer employed there.
• The Justice Department emphasized that universities receiving federal research grants must fully disclose all foreign funding and affiliations.