Foreign Influence Review

General Information

• What Positions are Impacted?

  Any research or research-related position, which could include:

  • Faculty
  • A&P
  • Support Staff
  • OPS
  • Student

  Positions will be evaluated based on job title and job duties. For example, all tenure earning faculty positions will automatically qualify for Foreign Influence Review (FIR). All graduate and undergraduate research assistant positions will also qualify for FIR.

• What Information Must Candidates Provide?
  Candidates must provide information related to citizenship and international affiliations, employment/professional activities, and relevant documentation as applicable (e.g., passports, DS-160: Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application).
• How is Information being Collected?

  For the following position types, candidates must apply to a position within OASys, UNF’s applicant tracking system, and must provide information via the application form:

  • Faculty
  • A&P
  • Support
  • OPS – even if the individual has worked previously for UNF, they MUST complete an application in OASys so that FIR information can be collected and reviewed.

  Student (graduate/undergraduate) candidates must complete the online Slate Form. 

  Departments are responsible for providing the slate form link to their prospective candidates. It is recommended to use the template available on the Graduate School webpage. Hiring Proposals/EPAFs MUST include a note that the review was completed. Any Hiring Proposals/EPAFs that do not include a note will be returned for correction. 

Adding FIR information to Postings/Position Descriptions

• What needs to be added so applicants are aware of the FIR requirements?

   The following fields should be added/updated within the Position Description/Posting:

  • Setting Page (for OPS, A&P, Faculty, Support Staff Only) – use the appropriate “research” application form (e.g., Faculty-Research or Support Staff/Administrative/OPS – Research)
  • Special Instructions – Include the following language (you may change the formatting as needed): Applicants are required to upload the following documents if they answer “Yes” to Question 1/Section A within the Foreign Influence Review Section of their application: Foreign Passport (all pages, even blank), DS-160
  • Documents Needed to Apply – Add “Passport” and “DS-160” as optional documents
  • Statement(s) of understanding – Check “Foreign Influence Review”.  Update on the position description in addition to the posting, if applicable. 
  • Statement(s) of understanding definitions – Copy and paste the FIR information into this field. Update on the position description in addition to the posting, if applicable. Note: you may need to modify the text slightly for student research positions as they will not be providing FIR information via their application.

FIR Process

• Faculty/A&P/Support Staff

  Departments must submit a final interview pool request to Human Resources for all budgeted research or research-related positions. HR will conduct an initial review of the pool to determine if all necessary FIR information has been completed and reach out to candidates if needed. The Research Integrity Office/ORSP will be notified, and the FIR will be conducted.

  HR will notify the hiring department when the review is complete with the list of candidates the department may contact to schedule final interviews.

  Note: It is the hiring department's responsibility to notify HR that an interview stage (e.g., second round, third round, etc.) is the final interview stage.

• Other Personnel Services (OPS)

  Departments are required to create a posting in OASys (even if the individual has worked for UNF previously). Applicants will provide the information needed for foreign influence within the body of the application. Departments must submit a final interview pool request to Human Resources. HR will conduct an initial review of the pool to determine if all necessary FIR information has been completed and reach out to candidates if needed. The Research Integrity Office/ORSP will be notified, and the FIR will be conducted.

  HR will notify the hiring department when the review is complete. In some instances, the Research Integrity Office may reach out to the Hiring Official directly with their approval notice.

  A Hiring Proposal or EPAF (if applicable) can be submitted after FIR completion. Departments are required to leave a note in the Hiring Proposal/EPAF indicating that the review has been completed and the department is approved to hire. Hiring Proposals/EPAFs without this comment will be returned.

• Students

  Departments may utilize an OASys posting or EPAF self-service to hire student research positions based on position type (e.g., Graduate Research Assistant) or job history (previously worked for UNF). Regardless of the system, departments must provide all final interview pool candidates with a link to the FIR Slate form for completion. An example email template, as well as the Slate form, can be found on the Graduate School webpage.

  The Research Integrity Office will email the hiring official directly upon approval to move forward with any finalists.

  A Hiring Proposal or EPAF (if applicable) can be submitted after FIR completion. Departments are required to leave a note in the Hiring Proposal/EPAF indicating that the review has been completed and the department is approved to hire. Hiring Proposals/EPAFs without this comment will be returned.