---
kind: "section"
citation: "42 U.S.C. § 19233"
title: "42"
title_heading: "The Public Health and Welfare"
number: "19233"
heading: "Review of contracts and agreements"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/42/19233"
units:
  - "Chapter 163 — Research and Development, Competition, and Innovation"
  - "Subchapter VI — Miscellaneous Science and Technology Provisions"
  - "Part C — Research Security"
---

# §19233. Review of contracts and agreements

- (a) **In general—** In addition to existing authorities for preventing waste, fraud, abuse, and mismanagement of Federal funds, each [Federal research agency](/usc/42/18901.md?p=10) shall have the authority to—
  - (1) require, upon request, the submission to such [agency](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1), by an [institution of higher education](/usc/42/18901.md?p=13) or other organization applying for a [research and development award](/usc/42/18901.md?p=25), of supporting documentation, including copies of contracts, [grants](/usc/42/19291.md?p=5), or any other agreement specific to foreign appointments, employment with a foreign institution, participation in a foreign talent recruitment program and other information reported as current and pending support for all [covered individuals](/usc/42/19237.md?p=1) in a [research and development award](/usc/42/18901.md?p=25) application;
  - (2) require such [institution of higher education](/usc/42/18901.md?p=13) or other organization to review any documents requested under [paragraph (1)](#a-1) for compliance with the [Federal research agency](/usc/42/18901.md?p=10)’s award terms and conditions, including guidance on conflicts of interest and conflicts of commitment; and
  - (3) upon receipt and review of the information provided under [paragraph (1)](#a-1) and in consultation with the [institution of higher education](/usc/42/18901.md?p=13) or other organization submitting such information, initiate the substitution or removal of a [covered individual](/usc/42/19237.md?p=1) from a [research and development award](/usc/42/18901.md?p=25), reduce the award funding amount, or suspend or terminate the award if the [agency](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1) head determines such contracts, [grants](/usc/42/19291.md?p=5), or agreements include obligations that—
    - (A) interfere with the capacity for [agency](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1)-supported activities to be carried out; or
    - (B) create duplication with [agency](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1)-supported activities.
- (b) **Limitations—** In exercising the authorities under [subsection (a)](#a), each [Federal research agency](/usc/42/18901.md?p=10) shall—
  - (1) take necessary steps, as practicable, to protect the privacy of all [covered individuals](/usc/42/19237.md?p=1) and other parties specified in the documentation submitted under [paragraph (1)](#b-1) of such subsection;
  - (2) endeavor to provide justification for requests for supporting documentation made under such paragraph;
  - (3) require that allegations be proven by a preponderance of evidence; and
  - (4) as practicable, afford subjects an opportunity to provide comments and rebuttal and an opportunity to appeal before final administrative action is taken.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 117–167, div. B, title VI, § 10633, Aug. 9, 2022, 136 Stat. 1666.)