Oppose the SAFE Act Ban on International Research Collaboration

I am writing to urge you to oppose the proposed Securing American Funding and Expertise from Adversarial Research Exploitation (SAFE) Act, which would prohibit U.S. researchers from receiving federal funding if they collaborate with colleagues in China, Russia, Iran, or North Korea. This sweeping ban is deeply misguided. Nearly 800 academics have already signed a letter opposing it, warning that it will undermine U.S. science and innovation. cutting off collaboration, the bill risks isolating American researchers, slowing discovery, and weakening our global leadership in science. International collaboration is not a threat—it is a cornerstone of progress. Many of the most important advances in medicine, technology, and climate science have come from partnerships across borders. To treat all Chinese scientists as suspect is discriminatory, harmful to academic freedom, and counterproductive to national interests. It will also discourage talented international students and scholars from contributing to U.S. institutions, further eroding our competitiveness. Security concerns can and should be addressed through targeted safeguards, not blanket bans. The SAFE Act conflates legitimate national security protections with xenophobic exclusion, punishing researchers for their nationality rather than their actions. This approach will not make America safer; it will make us weaker. I urge you to reject this legislation and instead support policies that strengthen research integrity while preserving the openness and collaboration that make U.S. science world-leading. Please stand with the scientific community in defending academic freedom, innovation, and global cooperation.