Program

Research
Foundations
Program

A program designed to build foundational knowledge, critical thinking, and essential skills for research — no prior experience required.

What You Get

Program Offerings

The RFP runs for several weeks with flexible content designed around your schedule and context. Everything is built to meet you where you are.

The Four Capitals Framework

Curriculum Structure

RFP organizes its curriculum around the Four Capitals of Research Preparation — mapping the full range of what foundational research preparation requires.

Capital I
Cognitive
How to Think in Research
Forming research questions, evaluating evidence, correlation vs causation, argument construction, and AI output critique. The most intensively developed capital.
Capital II
Procedural
How Research is Done
Reading research papers, understanding methods, moving from question to design, understanding data structure. Taught generically — the logic is universal.
Capital III
Normative
What Good Research Looks Like
Ethics, integrity, citation as an ethical act, open research, epistemic authorship in the AI age. Students understand WHY the rules exist.
Capital IV
Relational
Community Dynamics
Understanding how research communities operate, how knowledge is validated collectively, and how to engage with peers and mentors across disciplines.
⚖️
Epistemic Standards — Grounded Throughout
Every element upholds IBSAUD's Epistemic Standards Policy — grounded in recognized knowledge systems, transparent in its evidentiary basis.
🤝
Interactive Activities
Hands-on activities designed to build practical research skills, not just theoretical understanding.
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Certificate
Participants who complete the program receive an IBSAUD certificate of completion.
🔗
Community Access
Join a growing network of young researchers and gain access to the broader IBSAUD community.
🧠
Epistemic Foundations
Critical thinking, research methodology, scientific ethics — core intellectual skills that last beyond any single program.

Eligibility

  • Comes from a low-resource background
  • High schooler, undergraduate, or early master's student
  • No prior research experience required — we build from the ground up
  • Motivated to contribute to science and universal development

FAQ

How long is the program?
The program runs for several weeks, structured around the Four Capitals framework — designed to fit around your schedule and context.
Do I need prior research experience?
No prior experience is required. The program builds your foundations from the ground up, starting with the basics of how research works.
Will I receive a certificate?
Yes, participants who complete the program will receive a certificate of completion from IBSAUD.
Is there a cost?
The program is designed to be accessible. Contact us at contact.ibsaud@gmail.com for details on program fees and any available support.

Join the Waitlist

Apply for the
Research Foundations Program

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