Foreign Interference and the Foreign Arrangements Scheme

Detailed information and resources for ANU staff and students regarding Foreign Interference and the Foreign Arrangements Scheme can be found on the Foreign Interference and Foreign Arrangements SharePoint.

What are they and what is the difference?

While both Foreign Interference and the Foreign Arrangements Scheme cover the University’s engagements with foreign entities, and may address the same arrangements, these are separate and distinct processes.

Foreign Interference

Foreign Interference 'occurs when activities are carried out by, or on behalf of a foreign actor, which are coercive, covert, deceptive or corrupting and are contrary to Australia's sovereignty, values and national interests' – this definition comes from the DESE Guidelines to Counter Foreign Interference in the Australian University Sector;
ANU manages risks of Foreign Interference internally to preserve academic integrity;
The Foreign Interference Advisory Committee (FIAC) provides due diligence and oversight on potentially risky arrangements, and makes determinations as appropriate.

Foreign Interference involves internal processes for ANU to manage risk and conduct due diligence

Foreign Arrangements Scheme

A Foreign Arrangement is a written arrangement with a foreign entity;
Foreign entities include foreign government departments and agencies, and foreign universities that do not have autonomy from their government;
The Foreign Arrangements Scheme, under the Australia’s Foreign Relations (State and Territory Arrangements) Act 2020 requires ANU to notify the Minister for Foreign Affairs of all Foreign Arrangements;
Informal and minor administrative arrangements are not covered, nor are arrangements with foreign commercial entities;

The Foreign Arrangements Scheme is a legislative requirement for ANU to notify the government of certain arrangements with foreign parties.

How are these managed and what do I need to do?

Certain types of engagements are captured through different processes. Some will require you to make a declaration using the e-Form, and some will be covered by existing processes. Once information on engagements is captured, it triaged to see whether it requires consideration under Foreign Interference or the Foreign Arrangements Scheme (or both).

Type	Research & Innovation	International Office	Researcher
What I need to do	These will be captured through normal processes. Ensure that all data is entered to ARIES fully and in a timely manner.	These will be captured through normal processes.	Declare arrangement through the e-Form.
Examples	Externally funded research projects, consultancies and commercial services Research commercialisation Research specific contracts Data sharing agreements Grant applications Individual student co-tutelle arrangements	All arrangements that fall under the International Partnerships and Agreements Policy, including: Memoranda of Understanding Research Memoranda of Understanding (Research partnerships) Admission pathway agreements Articulation agreements Joint and Dual Awards (coursework) agreements Joint and Dual Awards (research) agreements including Dual and Joint Award PhD degrees Transnational education partnership (coursework) agreements Staff exchange agreements Student exchange agreements Study abroad agreements	Paid or honorary appointments at foreign universities Funded visits to foreign universities Individual student Dual and Joint Award PhD candidature Arrangements for individual visiting academics and students under VAHA Paid staff appointments at foreign universities Other arrangements not covered by Research and Innovation or International Strategy and Partnerships processes

Type

Research & Innovation

International Office

Researcher

What I need to do

These will be captured through normal processes. Ensure that all data is entered to ARIES fully and in a timely manner.

These will be captured through normal processes.

Declare arrangement through the e-Form.

Examples

Externally funded research projects, consultancies and commercial services
Research commercialisation
Research specific contracts
Data sharing agreements
Grant applications
Individual student co-tutelle arrangements

All arrangements that fall under the International Partnerships and Agreements Policy, including:

Memoranda of Understanding
Research Memoranda of Understanding (Research partnerships)
Admission pathway agreements
Articulation agreements
Joint and Dual Awards (coursework) agreements
Joint and Dual Awards (research) agreements including Dual and Joint Award PhD degrees
Transnational education partnership (coursework) agreements
Staff exchange agreements
Student exchange agreements
Study abroad agreements

Paid or honorary appointments at foreign universities
Funded visits to foreign universities
Individual student Dual and Joint Award PhD candidature
Arrangements for individual visiting academics and students under VAHA
Paid staff appointments at foreign universities
Other arrangements not covered by Research and Innovation or International Strategy and Partnerships processes

Where can I get more information?

Contact

Foreign Interference & Arrangements contact
Send email

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