ISO is committed to driving global progress by leveraging the power of standards through dedicated research and education initiatives. These efforts focus on two main goals: showcasing the transformative impact of standards on economies, societies, and the environment, and identifying emerging opportunities for international standardization.
Standards support innovation, improve business efficiency, assist governments in crafting effective regulations, and provide consumers with confidence in product safety and quality. ISO’s research measures and communicates these benefits to emphasize standards as essential tools for addressing global challenges.
ISO continuously explores future opportunities for standardization, focusing on areas such as technological advancements—like AI, IoT, and blockchain—sustainability goals linked to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), global health and safety, and evolving economies including the digital and circular economies.
ISO invites diverse groups to participate in its research and education programs: Participants can also explore various pathways to access ISO standards for academic and research purposes, including free or reduced-cost options.
Researchers can access the OpenData portal, apply ISO methodologies to assess standards’ impacts, and publish their work in the ISO Research Library.
Consultants have opportunities to apply for research projects, leverage ISO tools, and contribute expertise.
Students benefit from hands-on learning, expert interviews, exclusive data access, and can apply for the prestigious ISO Research Grant, which supports impactful postgraduate research projects related to standards.
Students can also access certain standards for free through the Online Browsing Platform and seek guidance from their national ISO member organization for additional access options.
Educators receive teaching materials, can arrange guest presentations at ISO headquarters, and help inspire the next generation with educational content about standards.
Educators can also utilize ISO’s online educational resources and joint academic programs to enhance their teaching and research activities.
National Standards Bodies (NSBs) can publish research, employ ISO methodologies in national studies, collaborate through the Education about Standardization (EaS) Network, and advance education and research initiatives collectively.
NSBs can also provide authorized access modalities, such as reading rooms or academic access arrangements, to facilitate the use of standards for research and education.
The ISO Research Grant, awarded annually, provides up to CHF 25,000 to postgraduate researchers or teams studying the impacts of international standards. It offers guidance, data access, and visibility among international experts and stakeholders. Themes address pressing global issues, such as the 2025 theme focused on standards for supply chain resilience. The grant also emphasizes the importance of facilitating access to ISO standards, ensuring researchers have the resources needed to conduct impactful studies.
In summary, ISO’s research and education framework empowers global communities to understand, use, and expand international standards, fostering innovation, sustainability, and societal progress.
Learn more: https://www.iso.org/research-and-education.html