Foreign Influence Registration Scheme

The National Security Act 2023 introduced the Foreign Influence Registration Scheme (FIRS), effective from 01 July 2025, to improve transparency about activities in the UK carried out at the direction of foreign powers or state-controlled organisations in order to protect national security.

FIRS follows a two-tiered approach.

The Political Influence Tier

The political influence tier requires registration when individuals or institutions enter into an arrangement (formal or informal) where they are given direction by a foreign power to carry out political activities in the UK. Activities under the Political Influence Tier must be registered within 28 calendar days of the arrangement being made.

The Enhanced Tier 

The enhanced tier requires registration when individuals enter into an arrangement (formal or informal) where they are given direction by a specified foreign power (currently Russia and Iran) or entities acting on their behalf to carry out activities (beyond direct political influence) within or affecting the UK. Relevant activities includes all commercial and research activities in the UK. Activities under the Enhanced Tier must be registered within 10 calendar days of the arrangement being made.

Compliance with FIRS

The University is responsible for ensuring institutional compliance with FIRS, including the registration of any applicable staff activities undertaken as part of an individual’s University role and adherence to statutory deadlines. Staff must notify Edinburgh Research Office of any activity that may fall within scope for assessment and, where required, a registration submitted on behalf of the University. 

Where an activity is undertaken outside the scope of an individual’s University role, responsibility for registration resides with the individual. Edinburgh Research Office can provide advice in either circumstance.  

Failure to register an activity subject to FIRS is a criminal offence with significant financial penalties or imprisonment.

Contact us

For further advice and support on registering an activity under FIRS, please use the appropriate contact:

Guidance

Foreign Influence Registration Scheme - University of Edinburgh Secretary's Group webpage (Login required) for staff and students.

Foreign Influence Registration Scheme - UK Government website.

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