Yale University critics are confused about a recent donation from Pepsi (NYSE: PEP). A $250,000 gift was handed to the University in support of a research fellowship at the Yale School of Medicine on the subject of obesity. The sponsorship is not sitting well with many because of the company’s possible influence on the research findings.

The fellowship is for students who are interested in nutrition and obesity-related medical issues and diseases and will be run through Yale’s M.D –PhD program. The gift is to be divided out over a five year time span. However, there are reports that people feel Pepsi is not being genuine about its intent to research nutritional aspects to help improve their products. Pepsi produces many products, many of the most profitable of which are not considered to be healthy foods including a variety of soft drinks like Mountain Dew, Gatorade, and Cheetos. The company does make healthier items but they are not as profitable.

The Yale community and activists have unleashed criticism of the $250,000 gift, presented in December but Yale School of Medicine Dean Robert Alpern believes the university didn’t do anything wrong when they accepted the fellowship money. The school believes the gift was ethical and related an analogy of a tobacco company giving school grants will aid in promoting smoking. The Dean stated many schools will not take money from tobacco companies but there was no ban on taking monetary gifts from the food industry.

Many feel any results from the study would be biased and ultimately only help to serve the bottom line at Pepsi. Critics also are concerned about the message being sent regarding the financial relationship between the University and PepsiCo and scholarly research. Activists have been pointing towards new studies that show soft drinks are a leading contributor to thousands of cases of diabetes and are doubtful Pepsi-funded researchers will pinpoint soft drinks as a part of the ongoing obesity problems.

A new laboratory was opened in New Haven, CT adjacent to Yale’s campus with Pepsi’s intent to improve the nutrition profile of their food and beverages. The company has also added clinical scientists and food nutrition experts to its staff. Chief scientific officer Dr. Mehmood Khan stated that the working done in New Haven along with the collaboration of world-renowned scientists will lead to nutritional advancements for people around the world and make it possible to improve people’s overall diets. Over the past three years, the company has increased investments in research and development by 40% and acquired companies that produce healthy items like dairy, hummus, nuts, and juices.