About IFPASA — What We Do · AI Governance Certification & Academic Credentialing

What We Do

IFPASA is a global professional credentialing program of the American Research Foundation, issuing internationally recognized certifications in AI governance, AI ethics, and academic arbitration. Every AI governance certification is assessed using the peer-reviewed Sigma AI Readiness Model and independently reviewed by a panel of certified IFPASA academic arbitrators — bringing published, academically grounded standards to the credentials organizations and professionals rely on.

Our mission

Elevating standards in research, certification, and AI governance

IFPASA operates as a global program of the American Research Foundation, offering a comprehensive suite of professional credentials spanning AI governance readiness, AI ethics, academic arbitration, and research excellence.

Our AI governance programs are powered by the Sigma AI Readiness Model — a structured, evidence-based assessment framework developed by Sigma AI Consulting and published in peer-reviewed research and books. The Sigma Model provides the five-dimension assessment architecture that underpins both the AIRGC organizational certification and the CAIG professional curriculum, aligned with ISO 42001, UNESCO, NIST AI RMF, OECD principles, and the EU AI Act simultaneously.

IFPASA's academic arbitration roots give the program an independent review capability that commercial certification bodies cannot replicate. AIRGC and AIEC certificates are reviewed by qualified IFPASA arbitrators before they are issued — independent, scientific, and academically defensible.

Supported by

Our network

  • American Research Foundation (ARF) — issuing body for all IFPASA credentials
  • Sigma AI Consulting — developer and publisher of the Sigma AI Readiness Model; AI governance assessment partner
  • Strategic Research Society (SRS)
  • International Strategic Research Think Tank (ISRTT)
  • Graduate Research Achievement Program (GRAT)
  • 185+ advisory board members from Harvard, MIT, Oxford, Cambridge, and more
  • Partner universities across 50+ countries
Our programs

What IFPASA offers

AIEC

AI Ethical Certification for AI products, organizations, and individuals. Reviewed by the IFPASA Arbitration Committee against UNESCO, OECD, IEEE, and EU AI Act standards. Three tracks.

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IAASA Certification

International Academic Arbitrator and Scientific Assessor. The core fellowship certification.

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Accreditation (RDA/RLA/RUA)

Accreditation for academic deanships, research labs, and industry research units.

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Fellowship

The academic foundation of the AI governance certification ecosystem. IFPASA Fellows serve as independent reviewers for AIRGC and AIEC certifications. Free to apply for PhD holders and senior researchers.

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