Foreign Influence Registration Scheme

The Foreign Influence Registration Scheme (FIRS) comes into effect on 1 July 2025, under the National Security Act 2023. Below we provide a brief introduction to FIRS, where it might impact University activities and how to seek further support.

FIRS is a scheme introduced under the National Security Act 2023, aimed at improving the understanding and transparency of activities taking place in the UK that are at the instruction of foreign states or foreign state-controlled organisations.

It requires the registration and publication of information relating to certain activities by individuals and organisations located in the UK.

FIRS is administered by the Home Office. Failure to comply with FIRS carries criminal penalties, including fines and imprisonment for terms of up to five years.

There are two tiers of arrangements which require registration:

  • The Political Influence tier – where a party provides directions to influence individuals or groups within the world of UK politics and public life; and
  • The Enhanced tier – where activities are directed by a foreign power that has been specified in regulations by the Home Office.

Where the arrangement falls within the scope of one of these tiers, it must be registered on the Government portal.

Anything genuinely collaborative, without any direction from the collaborator or funder as to the outputs of the research, will not be covered by FIRS and so will not need to be registered.

Arrangements do not need to be in writing or funded to be captured by the regime.

At the time of implementing, only Russia and Iran have been included in the Enhanced Tier. If we are working with anyone based in Russia or Iran, please email trusted.research@mailbox.lboro.ac.uk and the Trusted Research and Innovation team will be in touch to work through some enhanced due diligence with you.

Where the arrangements with a collaborator, funder, contractor or partner involve stated outputs that relate to influencing changes in public policy, legislation or regulation or involve addressing MPs, Parliament or committees or groups of Parliament (e.g. a Select Committee, All Party Parliamentary Group or similar), then FIRS needs to be considered.

Remember, a written contract is not required to engage the Scheme.

Where the University or LUEL is required to register an arrangement, the submission to the Government portal will be by the Research and Innovation Office.

If you think your arrangement may be captured by FIRS, please email trusted.research@mailbox.lboro.ac.uk and the Trusted Research and Innovation team will be in touch to work through enhanced due diligence with you.

If you have any generic questions about FIRS, please email trusted.research@mailbox.lboro.ac.uk and a member of the Trusted Research and Innovation team will be in touch.

Sector specific guidance, including for academia and research, has been produced by the Home Office.