Agreements with Foreign Principals

Overview

Agreements with Foreign Principals of Foreign Countries of Concern

Section 288.860, Florida Statutes, states that, “beginning July 1, 2023, a state university ... may not accept any grant from or participate in any agreement with any college or university based in a foreign country of concern, or with any foreign principal,” except that universities may, upon approval of the Florida Board of Governors (BOG), enter into such agreements if “deemed by the board to be valuable to students and the state university and is not detrimental to the safety or security of the United States or its residents.” The BOG, through its Regulation 9.012 and subsequent guidance, has interpreted this restriction to include not only research-related agreements, but also the hiring of faculty, staff, and graduate assistants, and hosting visiting researchers, who are domiciled in foreign countries of concern.

This guidance has been developed to assist university leadership, faculty, and staff in implementing this new requirement. Other questions related to the law, regulation, and related review processes may be addressed to ForeignInfluenceCompliance@fsu.edu for assistance.


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