IBSAUD College · Program

Research
Foundations.

A cohort-based initiative teaching early-career students the fundamentals of research — from question formation to methodology. No prior experience required.

Curriculum

The Four Capitals
Framework

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
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.

What You Get

Program Offerings

Credential
Certificate
Participants who complete the program receive an IBSAUD certificate of completion.
Network
Community Access
Access to the broader IBSAUD network of researchers, mentors, and alumni.
Skills
Epistemic Foundations
Core intellectual skills — critical thinking, research methodology, scientific ethics — that last beyond any single program.
Eligibility
  • 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?
Several weeks, structured around the Four Capitals framework — designed to fit around your schedule.
Do I need prior research experience?
No. The program builds foundations from the ground up.
Is there a cost?
The program is designed to be accessible. Contact us at contact.ibsaud@gmail.com for details.

Join the Waitlist

Apply for the
Research Foundations Program