Answers to the most common questions about IFPASA's Research Deanship Accreditation (RDA), Research Lab Accreditation (RLA), and Research Unit Accreditation (RUA) programs.
RDA (Research Deanship Accreditation) is designed for academic institutions — university research deanships, faculties, colleges, and academic departments. RLA (Research Lab Accreditation) is for scientific research laboratories within academic or industrial settings. RUA (Research Unit Accreditation — Industry) is for corporate and industrial research centers, R&D divisions, and industry research units. All three share the same rigorous IFPASA accreditation framework and 3–6 month process.
The estimated timeframe is 3–6 months, depending on your available resources and starting point. Stage 1 (self-assessment and preparation) takes 1–2 months. Stage 2 (application and eligibility) takes 1 month. Stage 3 (peer review and site visit) takes 1 month. Stage 4 (decision and feedback) takes 1 month. Total timeline from application to decision is typically 4–5 months.
The IFPASA Accreditation Committee issues one of three decisions:
All criteria met. Full accreditation issued with 3-year validity.
Most criteria met. Specific conditions must be addressed within a defined timeframe.
Criteria not sufficiently met. Detailed feedback provided. Re-application welcomed after improvement.
All IFPASA accreditation programs require renewal every 3 years. Accredited institutions follow a renewal process to demonstrate continued adherence to accreditation criteria and ongoing improvement. IFPASA provides support and networking opportunities throughout the accreditation period to help institutions maintain their standards.
The IFPASA peer review panel conducts a comprehensive on-site assessment that typically includes: presentations by institutional leadership, facility tours, interviews with management and staff, document review, and a question and answer session. Institutions are encouraged to prepare presentation materials showcasing their research strengths and ongoing improvement efforts.
Yes. Upon request in the application form, IFPASA assigns a mentor to guide your institution through the accreditation journey. The mentor is matched based on the type of institution and research focus, providing guidance on preparing documentation, understanding the assessment criteria, and readying for the site visit.
Contact IFPASA to request the accreditation framework documents, the self-assessment tool, and the gap analysis template. Our team will respond within 2 business days and guide you through the eligibility check before you formally apply.