Threats to Cleared Industry, Think Tanks, and Academia from Malign Nations Focusing on Federally Funded Research and Development Centers

Author(s)

• James E. Equels, Liberty UniversityFollow

Date

4-29-2026

Department

Helms School of Government

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy in Criminal Justice (PhD)

Chair

Jared Perry

Keywords

Research Security, Foreign Intelligence Entities (FIE), Espionage, Think Tanks, Academia, Classified Information, Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs), Academic Collaboration, National Security, Insider Threats

Disciplines

International and Area Studies | Public Affairs, Public Policy and Public Administration

Recommended Citation

Equels, James E., "Threats to Cleared Industry, Think Tanks, and Academia from Malign Nations Focusing on Federally Funded Research and Development Centers" (2026). Doctoral Dissertations and Projects. 8224.
https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/doctoral/8224

Abstract

The world of academia, think tanks, and Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs) in the United States face increasing vulnerabilities to foreign intelligence exploitation, particularly by China and Russia. Espionage, cyber intrusions, insider threats, and intellectual property theft enable adversarial nations to leverage academic collaboration to access sensitive research. These threats are executed through foreign-sponsored partnerships, talent recruitment programs like China’s Thousand Talents Program, and infiltration via Confucius Institutes and other state-affiliated initiatives. Academic openness is routinely exploited to gain strategic military and technological innovation advantages. Operations by malign nations compromise federally funded research, while insider threats - both intentional and unintentional - remain critical vulnerabilities. Foreign intelligence entities actively recruit individuals with access to classified research, further exacerbating security risks. The exploitation of academic collaboration emphasizes the urgency of integrating national security considerations into research governance. Balancing scientific openness with protective measures against foreign intelligence threats is essential to preserving research integrity and national security. This study seeks to contribute to developing robust counterintelligence strategies for federally funded research and development centers (FFRDCs). By understanding the threat environment and the factors influencing organizational resilience, the research will inform the balancing act between fostering open collaboration and safeguarding critical intellectual property.