Provisions in both bills

• Establishes a National Security Technology Task Force to “address the threat of espionage” at higher education institutions
• Directs the task force to maintain a list of “sensitive research projects” and inform grantee institutions about espionage mitigation measures
• “Sensitive research projects” are defined as projects funded by a “qualified funding agency,” which include the Defense Department, Energy Department, and intelligence agencies
• Prevents sensitive research projects from using technologies that are developed by foreign entities deemed to “pose a threat of espionage”
• The initial list of entities must include Huawei, ZTE Corporation, Hytera Communications Corporation, Hangzhou Hikvision Digital Technology Company, Dahua Technology Company, and Kaspersky Lab

Provisions in the House bill

• Directs the Department of Education to create the task force
• Requires students from China, North Korea, Russia, and Iran to receive approval from the Director of National Intelligence in order to participate in a sensitive research project
• Permits agencies that sponsor sensitive research projects to reduce or terminate funding for grantees that do not comply with the requirements

Provisions in the Senate bill

• Directs the Department of Homeland Security to create the task force
• Requires students from China, Russia, and Iran to receive approval by a background screening office in order to participate in a sensitive research project
• Permits the Secretary of Homeland Security to reduce or terminate funding for grantees that do not comply with the requirements