A transparent process

Earn a research home through a clear review process.

RIFOR is selective about how its affiliation is used. The process is designed to be proportionate: enough verification to protect the community, without demanding more personal information than the membership requires.

  1. Choose a membership.

    Choose individual or group membership. An optional public profile or a private membership is included.

  2. Submit your application.

    Describe your research context and provide at least one research signal: a paper, project, portfolio, ORCID, GitHub, personal site, or other verifiable work.

  3. Review for fit and integrity.

    We check identity links, your contribution, evidence boundaries and intended use of affiliation. AI may flag inconsistencies; a person makes the final decision. We normally request one focused clarification when needed.

  4. Receive a decision before payment.

    If approved, you receive an onboarding invitation. If declined, RIFOR may give a concise explanation where appropriate.

  5. Activate and maintain your membership.

    RIFOR provisions the agreed affiliation, email, and record. Members must keep material details accurate and use the affiliation truthfully.

After submitting

A successful web submission gives you an application reference. We aim to send an initial response within five working days. Keep that reference for follow-up at info@rifor.org. Read what we review.

Research support and AI

RIFOR may offer AI-assisted research support separately. It can organize work, identify inconsistencies, and support revision; it does not replace specialist judgment, replication, publisher review, or an author’s responsibility for their work.

Practical guides for independent researchers

Explore affiliation, research identity and publishing before choosing the support you need.

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