FIRS is UK legislation introduced under the National Security Act 2023. It requires individuals and organisations to register if they are acting on behalf of a foreign government or state-controlled entity to influence UK politics, policy, or public life. Any relevant arrangements which are undertaken as part of research activities will need to be registered under this new scheme from 1 July 2025 onwards.

FIRS is a two-tiered scheme designed to monitor foreign influence. This is achieved by requiring the registration of arrangements between a UK party and a foreign power to carry out political influence activities in the UK at the direction of said foreign power - the political influence tier, and the registration of a broader range of activities for specified countries (currently Iran and Russia), parts of countries or foreign government-controlled entities where the government sees a threat to the safety of interests of the UK - the enhanced tier.

The scheme aims to increase transparency about foreign influence in UK affairs, protect national security by identifying and monitoring activities that could pose risks and ensure accountability for those representing foreign interests in the UK. Registration does not mean that an activity is unwanted or illegitimate. Providing activities are registered, they may go ahead without restriction.

Further information on how the scheme operates can be found on the Government website which also provides sector-specific guidance for academia.

FIRS applies to any relevant arrangements across all sectors and applies to both individuals and organisations. It applies to all King’s College London staff and students, including affiliates. Examples of arrangements which may require registration could arise in many settings across HEIs, including research, philanthropy, public engagement, consulting and student activities.

Please note that this is not an exhaustive list and you should consult the sector specific guidance. If you are a King's member of staff, student or affiliate and think you may have a relevant arrangement, you can visit the King’s intranet page for advice.

In order to comply with this legislation, any institutions or individuals who make a relevant arrangement with a foreign power will need to register that arrangement on the government registration system, which will be available from 1 July 2025.

An activity is only registerable where it is carried out in the UK. As such, any activities carried out wholly at overseas universities (eg research collaborations or transnational education arrangements) would not require registration.

King’s have convened a group, with leads from across the University, to ensure that our community are given the information and support they need to comply with this legislation.