Research & Innovation Matter at IAF
Driving global mobility forward through insight, experimentation, and strategic foresight.
As the mobility landscape rapidly evolves—from electrification and autonomy to digital ecosystems and regulatory convergence—research and innovation are no longer optional; they are essential.
At IAF, we believe that informed innovation is the foundation for safe, sustainable, and inclusive transportation systems. Our commitment to forward-looking research allows us to anticipate risks, explore emerging technologies, and shape the standards that define tomorrow’s automotive world.
While we are still a young federation, we are building the intellectual and operational infrastructure to support breakthrough ideas, cross-sector experimentation, and collaborative development in the years ahead.
How We Plan to Innovate
Innovation at IAF is collaborative, cross-disciplinary, and strategically guided to serve the evolving needs of global mobility.
Thematic Working Groups
Dedicated teams of experts focusing on specialized topics such as battery circularity, connected vehicle safety, and sustainable manufacturing. These groups lay the groundwork for future IAF standards and tools.
- Interdisciplinary representation
- Quarterly sessions and peer reviews
- Outputs feed into standards or policy advisory
Joint Innovation Projects
Collaborative efforts between IAF and external institutions to develop, prototype, or test transformative mobility solutions that align with global automotive sustainability and safety goals.
- Co-funded by industry or academia
- IAF provides technical validation & impact assessment
- May evolve into certification criteria
Open Calls & Pilot Programs
Regular opportunities for startups, labs, and innovators to propose, test, or co-create new frameworks or tools under real-world constraints in collaboration with IAF’s technical staff.
- Published twice yearly on IAF platforms
- Selected entries receive visibility and support
- Best-performing pilots may become federation assets
Academic Collaborations
IAF actively engages with universities and research centers to produce joint publications, run fellowships, and explore systemic challenges facing the automotive ecosystem.
- Annual thematic research programs
- Access to IAF datasets and field data
- Opportunities for students and PhDs
Industry & Public Advisory Panels
Sector-specific panels formed to offer guidance on market needs, regulatory shifts, and technological trends. These insights help calibrate our innovation efforts with real-world urgency.
- Includes regulators, OEMs, startups, NGOs
- Focuses on horizon scanning and scenario planning
- Feeds back into IAF strategic planning
Get Involved in Shaping Tomorrow
The success of IAF’s research and innovation agenda relies on active, diverse, and passionate participation from across our membership. Whether you are an individual expert, a startup, a national authority, or an academic institution — there's a role for you to play in defining the future of mobility.
- Individual Members: Contribute expertise in technical reviews, working groups, and innovation panels.
- Institutions & Companies: Co-develop pilot programs, propose joint ventures, or host testbeds.
- Researchers & Academics: Join research collaborations, co-author publications, and access real-world datasets.
- Public Sector & NGOs: Participate in policy advisory panels and standard development tracks.
- Students & Early Innovators: Compete in open calls, apply for fellowships, and help prototype new ideas.
Our Collaborative Ecosystem
To truly shape the future of mobility, IAF builds bridges across disciplines, industries, and public institutions. We believe in the power of **shared knowledge** and **collective effort** to fuel impactful innovation.
Universities & Academic Labs
IAF partners with leading universities and research labs to co-develop standards, frameworks, and emerging technology studies.
- Joint research & technical white papers
- Thesis-based mobility case studies
- Curriculum alignment with emerging standards
Research & Technology Centers
Innovation accelerates when global knowledge hubs collaborate. We establish technical synergies with public and private R&D institutes.
- Access to experimental platforms and lab data
- Validation of concept vehicles and digital twins
- Co-design of standards-compliant test protocols
OEMs & Automotive Suppliers
As core stakeholders in vehicle innovation, industry leaders work with IAF to test, align, and scale transformative ideas through structured channels.
- Joint pilot programs & evaluation rounds
- Feedback loops from real-world deployment
- Supplier readiness audits & certification trials
Smart City & Mobility Authorities
Future mobility thrives in real urban environments. IAF works closely with city-level governments to ensure regulatory harmonization and public benefit.
- Urban-scale V2X & infrastructure testing
- Shared mobility policy prototyping
- Collaborative urban safety benchmarks
Our Approach to Strategic Partnerships
IAF takes a **purpose-driven** approach to partnership building. Rather than pursuing general affiliations, we focus on clearly defined objectives, shared values, and measurable outcomes. Partnerships are structured through:
- Formal Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs)
- Project-based collaboration frameworks
- Public-private innovation grants
- Recognition & joint visibility channels
IAF Innovation Fund
As part of its long-term innovation vision, IAF plans to establish a dedicated Innovation Fund to support experimental research, rapid prototyping, and early-phase development efforts. This initiative will provide microgrants, technical mentorship, and advisory resources to qualified applicants.
Microgrant Programs
Short-cycle funding for early-stage innovation, available through thematic calls and challenge rounds.
Prototyping Support
Resources and technical consultation to accelerate proof-of-concept development in labs or field testing environments.
Advisory Pool
Access to IAF-curated advisors and mentors to help shape project strategy and assess impact feasibility.
Publication & Data Access Strategy
IAF aims to become a trusted source of insight and knowledge by publishing high-quality research outputs, frameworks, and data sets. Our open-access approach will prioritize transparency, reproducibility, and the advancement of automotive science.
IAF Research Paper Series
A peer-reviewed series of white papers, technical briefs, and system models covering critical innovation areas.
Open Data Access
IAF commits to publishing non-sensitive data and model outputs through structured repositories under fair usage terms.
Call for Collaboration
Whether you're a research institute, startup, lab, or independent developer, IAF invites you to join our innovation mission. Express your interest, propose a concept, or align with existing calls. Your expertise could help redefine automotive mobility.
- Research Institutions: Propose joint projects or request consortium participation.
- Startups: Submit pilot proposals, beta tests, or innovative use cases for review.
- Individual Experts: Join task forces, review panels, or short-term consultancy roles.