Ensuring Compliance with UF Graduate Assistant Screening Requirements
Beginning September 14, 2026, all Graduate Assistant (GA) appointments will undergo a screening process to comply with Florida Statute 1010.35 and University of Florida requirements. The process applies to all GA appointment types and includes additional review for research-related positions when required.
Why This Matters
The University must screen research and research support positions before offer and access to research data and materials. Graduate Assistants involved in research activities are subject to additional review requirements designed to identify potential compliance concerns and ensure appropriate oversight.
Screening Process Overview
Step 1: The College or Department Administrator or Designee will Collect and review for completion the application package that includes:
Application Packet
- Program and Graduate School application materials
- Full CV/Resume to include
- Education history since high school / secondary school
- Employment history since high school / secondary school
- Publications and affiliations
- Awards, Scholarships, or other funding
- Manager certification regarding material employment or education gaps
Step 2: Countries of Concern Review
Additional review is required if an applicant:
- Attended a university located in a Country of Concern
- Worked for an employer based in a Country of Concern since age 18
- Maintains ongoing affiliations, scholarships, or awards from a Country of Concern entity
Countries of Concern
- China (including Hong Kong and Macau)
- Russia
- Iran
- North Korea
- Cuba
- Venezuela
- Syria
If it is found that there is no affiliation with a country of concern, please skip to Step 4.
Step 3: RISC Review (If required)
When a CoC indicator is identified, the department submits:
- GA basic information
- Reason for submission
- Resume/CV
- Appointment letter
through an online GA RISC Review Portal.
Step 4: Hiring Decision
A Unit GA Review Certification form is now required for all Graduate Assistant hire ePAFs. This form certifies that the unit has completed their review of the GA’s application materials and either determined that there is no affiliation upon initial review and/or approval was obtained from RISC after further review. The unit does not need to attach the approval from RISC as part of the hire, only the certification form.
Please note that failure to include the certification form will create a delay in the hire process. You may access the certification form HERE.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Program application materials
- Graduate School requirements
- Full CV/Resume
- Hiring manager certification regarding employment and education gaps
The regulation does not define this specifically. Generally, a gap is material if undisclosed activity would affect the hiring decision.
Typically, breaks in employment or education of 30 days or more should be reviewed.
If the appointment occurs within six months of RISC approval, the approval remains effective for the duration of employment.
No.
No.
For ePAF questions Contact Employment Operations and Records (EOR)
📧 ufhr-employment@ufl.edu
📞(352) 273-1079
For Research questions Contact Research Integrity, Security & Compliance (RISC)
🌐 https://research.ufl.edu/compliance
📧 international@research.ufl.edu
📞 352-273-9174