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NSF inspector general investigation cited alleged China links of computer prof
The NSF’s Office of Inspector General said the professor participated in two Chinese talent plans while managing US research grants, with the FBI warning the plans could spur technology theft or misappropriation.
A computer science professor, Tao Li, has been tied to a US funding ban after US oversight authorities alleged he helped manage American research money while simultaneously participating in Chinese government programmes, according to documents cited by the NSF’s Office of Inspector General.
The inspector general report says Li served as a programme officer at the National Science Foundation from 2015 to 2017, a role that included overseeing the awarding of grants in areas such as hardware, software and algorithms. During that period, Li took part in two Chinese talent plans, while failing to disclose that involvement.
The FBI has warned that such talent programmes can incentivise participants to steal or misappropriate foreign knowledge or technology. The documents also say Li was involved in awarding US research grants to at least seven other scientists who allegedly did not disclose participation in a Chinese talent plan called Dragon Star.
The FBI first flagged concerns about Li’s suspected involvement in Dragon Star to NSF leadership in 2019. The inspector general’s office launched an investigation following the tip, and it took about seven years from that FBI briefing for the probe to conclude and for the NSF to take action based on its findings, according to the documents summarized by SCMP Economy.