Protect Economic and Academic Freedom Act of 2025

Key Points

• Colleges receiving federal funds under Title IV (including student loans and Pell Grants) would have to certify each year that they are not engaging in a "nonexpressive commercial boycott" of Israel or Israeli entities. Schools that refuse to certify would be publicly listed and could lose eligibility for federal funding.
• The bill defines a boycott as a commercial action intended to limit business relations with a "major strategic partner" that is not based on a valid business reason. The term "major strategic partner" refers to Israel specifically, based on a cross-reference to existing law (Public Law 113-296).
• Schools receiving Title VI international education funds must also certify that they allow students and faculty to participate in study abroad, research, conferences, and exchanges in Israel on the same terms as any other country. Schools that do not certify lose Title VI funding.
• Schools must also let Israeli students and faculty participate in their programs under the same conditions as students and faculty from other foreign countries, preventing academic discrimination based on national origin.
• The Department of Education would be required to publicly list all institutions that fail to submit their annual certification within 7 business days of the July 31 deadline each year, creating a transparency and accountability mechanism.