Overview

• Huawei has been the sole funder of a million-dollar research competition administered by the Optica Foundation since 2022.
• The competition has awarded millions and attracted hundreds of proposals globally, including from U.S. universities that prohibit working with Huawei.
• Participants, including university officials and judges, were unaware of Huawei's involvement due to confidentiality agreements.
• The funding, while legal, has raised concerns over transparency and potential national security implications.
• Optica Foundation's practice of donor anonymity is not unusual, but the secrecy surrounding Huawei's role has sparked controversy.