Receiving Money or Other Gifts from a Foreign Individual or Entity
Overview
Donations of money, items, and services are highly valued at the University of Utah. Before accepting a donation, University personnel must ensure that the donation complies with U.S. export regulations. Specifically, OFAC regulations govern the transfer of money, items, and services both to and from restricted parties and sanctioned countries.
While most donations will not be affected, some transactions are prohibited. Before facilitating a donation from a foreign person or international entity, faculty and staff should work with the Office of Advancement who will work with the Research Security Office to ensure that the donation complies with export regulations and University policy.
State Law & University Policy
Per § 67-16-1 et seq., University employees may not solicit or accept gifts, that is "intended to, or could, improperly influence a public employee in the performance of his/her public duties."
Gifts (including in-kind) may be acceptable for use in research if they are not from an entity in which an Investigator has a significant financial interest as long as it complies with the University's general policies, principles, and processes for soliciting and accepting gifts.
Per Policy 7-006, University Officials may not accept personal gifts from sponsors of Research with Human Subjects in violation of the Utah Public Officers' and Employees' Ethics Act.
Beginning July 1, 2023, a higher education institution may not seek or accept funding support from a restricted foreign entity or an entity that passes on funding support from a restricted foreign entity. This law prohibits the University from accepting funding support (including but not limited to grants of money, property of any kind, in-kind support) from entities domiciled in China as well as their subsidiaries and affiliates.
As a reminder, Individuals are required to completely and accurately disclosure all foreign relationships in the University Business Relationship Reporting (BRR) system.
