Guidance
Foreign Influence Registration Scheme: check if you need to register
Academics or someone working in the research sector may need to register with the Foreign Influence Registration Scheme (FIRS) from 1 July 2025.
Documents
Details
Who needs to register with FIRS
If you are an academic or in the research sector and you meet certain conditions, you or your organisation will need to register with FIRS from 1 July 2025. Read the links on this page to find out if you are affected and what you must do.
FIRS increases transparency of activity taking place in the UK at the instruction of a foreign state or foreign state-controlled organisation, to protect the safety and interests of the UK.
There are 2 types of activity you may need to register under the scheme:
- political influence tier – you must register with the scheme if you are instructed by a foreign power to carry out, or arrange for others to carry out, political influence activities in the UK
- enhanced tier – you must register with the scheme if you are instructed by a specified foreign power or a specified foreign power-controlled organisation to carry out, or arrange for others to carry out, ‘relevant activities’ in the UK
FIRS: further information
- Check if you need to register: introduction to FIRS guidance
- Find guidance specific to academia and research.
Updates to this page
Published 3 July 2025