The upper house of the Russian Parliament has proposed banning certain foreign scientists and organizations it views as national security threats from working in Russia, the Chronicle of Higher Education reports.
These organizations include ones that offer scholarships for talented Russian students to study abroad. While the Chronicle notes that the full list hasn't been drawn up yet it so far includes the US Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and the German Goethe cultural center, and many also include the Ford Foundation, the MacArthur Foundation, and the Woodrow Wilson Center.
The bill, which has President Vladimir Putin's support, is to be considered by the Duma late next month.
The Chronicle adds that the proposed bill has drawn criticism from local analysts who say it would lead to an outflow of Western scientists and foundations from the country. Already, it adds, some Russian institutions have cancelled their contracts with foreign scientists.