Qatari involvement in U.S. higher education dates back to 1981, according to the U.S. Department of Education's new foreign funding portal.[1] As of early 2026, $62.4 billion in aggregate funding has been disclosed, making Qatar the largest foreign funder of U.S. higher education through a combination of direct gifts, contracts, long-term operating agreements, and foreign branch campus support in Doha’s "Education City."[2]
Both critics and policymakers[examples needed] have questioned Qatar's potential influence on academic life, as a result.[2][3][4][5][6][7] In "When Your Teacher is Qatar," Airmail author Jennifer Gould questions Qatar's influence over both anti-Israel sentiment and policy relating to Israel, noting that "[a]s student protesters call for their universities to divest from Israel, Qatar is spending billions to influence those same schools."[8] The Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft, on the other hand, is less concerned with Qatar's influence on policy, in particular, and more concerned with their influence overall, describing Qatar's academic funding as a form of soft power in the report "Soft Power, Hard Influence: How Qatar Became a Giant in Washington."[9]
Qatari explanation for their large investment in U.S. education cites a desire to import more Western-style academic programs to Qatar, build local human capital, and underwrite research.[10][11][12][13][14][15][example needed] In the U.S., however, lack of transparency in reporting led to the creation of the U.S. Department of Education's new foreign funding portal.[16]
Beyond its Doha branch-campus agreements, Qatar's Qatar National Research Fund and other state-linked programs have financed research and scholarships at numerous U.S. universities that do not operate campuses in Qatar, through competitive research grants/sub-awards from the Qatar National Research Fund (QNRF), which RAND describes as awarding grants "in Qatar and abroad," especially via the National Priorities Research Program.[29] Money also flows through scholarships that pay U.S. tuition, notably the Qatar Scholarship for Afghans Project (QSAP)[30] run with the Institute of International Education, placing students and Qatari financing at dozens of American campuses.[30][31][further explanation needed]
Based on latest reports and information released by the U.S. Department of Education’s Foreign Gift and Contract database it is evident that Qatar is the most largest single foreign funding source to American education. Based on this information, colleges and universities received $6.6 billion from Qatar.[32] The money was used to support branch campuses like Weill Cornell Medicine – Qatar, as well as research projects, scholarships, and other agreements at many U.S. schools. Cornell University received the most funding, around $2.3 billion, mostly for its campus in Qatar. Among other institutes funded heavily by Qatar are Carnegie Mellon University, Texas A&M University, and Georgetown University. These funds have raised a question about the influence of donations from foreign sources on educational institutes.[32]
Qatari agencies that fund U.S. universities
Several Qatari, state-linked, or para-public bodies (in addition to QNRF) have financed U.S. higher education through institutional contracts, research/teaching grants, or tuition-paying scholarships:
Qatar Foundation International (QFI)[34] is QF's U.S.-based non-profit that provides grants for Arabic language education, including university awards and faculty/research support (e.g., grants to UT-Austin Arabic faculty; first-year university tuition assistance).[35][36]
Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD) is the state development agency that underwrites Qatar scholarships and co-funds the Qatar Scholarship for Afghans Project (QSAP)[30] placing students at dozens of U.S. colleges and universities (tuition paid via IIE partnerships[37]).[38][30]
Education Above All (EAA) Foundation / Al-Fakhoora co-lead QSAP with QFFD and IIE, financing Afghan students’ degrees across U.S. campuses.[39]
State-owned / corporate scholarship sponsors include Qatar Airways and QatarEnergy sponsor degree study at approved institutions inside or outside Qatar with fully-funded tuition and stipends.[41][42]
Controversies about Qatari funding
Observers have long debated the extent to which Qatar's substantial investment in higher education may influence academic culture and institutional governance within U.S. universities. A 2024 report by the Financial Times highlighted ongoing congressional investigations and growing public concern over the implications of such large Qatari donations.[2]
At the heart of the transparency debate is Section 117 of the Higher Education Act, which requires colleges to report large foreign gifts and contracts. A Department of Education compliance paper cited ongoing under-reporting and introduced new measures for better data collection. To support enforcement, Federal Student Aid published institution-level disclosure spreadsheets twice annually.[12][14]
In April 2025, a White House executive action stated that because Section 117 "has not been robustly enforced, the true amounts, sources, and purposes of foreign money flowing to American campuses are unknown," and directed stricter enforcement.[4]
Congressional interest has produced multiple oversight and legislative efforts. A Congressional Research Service brief summarizes proposals to tighten reporting thresholds and expand disclosure requirements, and the Deterrent Act introduced in the 119th Congress would rewrite Section 117 to broaden reporting and accountability.[15][3][7]
The Lawfare Project also examined Qatar's involvement in the American education system through the Qatar Foundation International (QFI) and expressed concerns regarding the biased presentation of content related to the Middle East. This biased approach highlights positive aspects of Islam while side-lining balanced discussions about other religions, particularly Judaism.[citation needed] Another survey by the project indicates that when the United States is exposed to details of foreign funding for higher education institutions, concerns are raised about Qatar's influence in shaping classroom content and discussions on campuses.[43][44]
Nevertheless, Ali Al-Ansari, a spokesperson for the Qatari embassy in Washington, expressed Qatar's pride in collaborating with prominent U.S. universities to offer educational opportunities to students in Qatar and the surrounding region.[45]
12Culbertson, Shelly; Mattock, Michael G.; Nardulli, Bruce R.; Al-Kuwari, Abdulrazaq; Cecchine, Gary; Harrell, Margaret C.; Friel, John A.; Darilek, Richard E. (2012-08-21). Launching the Qatar National Research Fund (Report).
12Cecchine, Gary; Darilek, Richard E.; Harrell, Margaret C.; Mattock, Michael G.; Culbertson, Shelly; Ortiz, David S.; Maynard, Nicholas C.; Bohandy, S. R.; Balkovich, Edward (2012-08-22). Sustaining the Qatar National Research Fund (Report).
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