Two developments intensified oversight questions about research funding. The National Science Foundation returned some fellowship applications with limited explanation, a move that has frustrated applicants and raised concerns about transparency in peer review and award administration. NSF officials have not provided detailed public explanations for the returns, prompting calls for clearer communication to applicants. Separately, the U.S. Department of Education published 2025 data showing U.S. colleges reported more than $5 billion in reportable foreign gifts and contracts, with Qatar listed as the largest single source. The release is part of a federal push to increase transparency around foreign funding on campus and has prompted compliance reviews and policy discussions at major research universities.