The "Research and Education Protection Act of 2025" seeks to amend Arkansas law to protect higher education institutions from foreign adversaries, specifically targeting nations like China, Russia, and Iran. The bill establishes a new subchapter under Arkansas Code Title 6, Chapter 60, which includes definitions and disclosure requirements for gifts and contracts from these foreign entities. Institutions of higher education are required to disclose any gifts or contracts valued at $250,000 or more from foreign adversaries, report these to their governing boards, and maintain public websites for transparency. The governing boards must approve any future contracts with a presumption against acceptance unless there is a compelling state or national interest.

Additionally, the bill introduces regulations for travel and partnerships involving foreign adversaries, requiring faculty and researchers to obtain preapproval for travel to these countries and maintain detailed records of such requests. It emphasizes the need for safeguards in partnerships to protect intellectual property and grants governing boards the authority to reject or terminate research partnerships with foreign adversaries. The legislation also establishes penalties for non-compliance, including civil fines and reclassifying certain offenses related to trade secrets as Class C felonies. Overall, the bill aims to enhance oversight and accountability in higher education regarding foreign interactions.