Trust is the currency of credentialing programs. Trust that the systems that built the program are valid. Trust that the credentialing program’s practices on scoring and test development are ethical and follow best practices. Trust that the claims being made about the knowledge, skills and abilities of the certificant are measurable.

In a time when trust is being questioned and is often withheld, how can an organization enhance that trust? Research may hold the key — discovering facts and trends that can help us be the source of truth about our profession and tell the credentialing story accurately.

Over the last few years, I.C.E. has evolved and reinvented how we do research and where we place our focus for the biggest impact. Our primary goal is to produce relevant and compelling research that aids credentialing bodies to enhance the business and precision of their work. Our secondary goal is to engage stakeholders outside our community with information about how credentialing is changing and impacting the workforce.

In 2022, I.C.E. created the Research Rethink project, which assisted management in analyzing the current state of I.C.E’s research and imagined a robust future for I.C.E.’s research program. At that time, we put a pause on developing new research projects so we could focus on this evaluation process. In 2023, having re-envisioned I.C.E.’s research program, we established a Research Think Tank, which immediately engaged ACT to assess what credentialing topics are highest priority for new research. We additionally asked members of our community to weigh in and help guide our direction.

In 2026, I.C.E. is officially releasing its multi-year research agenda. Some of the larger, externally focused projects will be extensive — tackling big questions for the credentialing community like value and impact. Our goal is to launch these projects as we secure organizational partners and funding opportunities. See the full research plan on our webpage.

The Research Think Tank has restructured I.C.E.’s research process, and is responsible for strategy and oversight of these projects, with the following subgroups engaged in specific areas of focus:

The R&D Committee: tasked with conducting internally focused research

The R&D Committee will begin an internal examination of the following research projects in 2026:

• AI in Credentialing
• Durable Skills in Credentialing
• Eligibility Criteria

R&D Marketing & Dissemination Subgroup: tasked with analyzing how to improve how I.C.E.’s research is consumed

The R&D Marketing & Dissemination Subgroup is examining how we consume the R&D products. This group has already been active in supporting I.C.E. research initiatives. Under its guidance, I.C.E. redesigned and rereleased the Job Task Analysis report. Then, the group designed and conducted a panel discussion titled Leadership Lens on Research (free to members) on how organizations are incorporating the research findings.

R&D Funders Committee (in development): tasked with examining how I.C.E. can attract funders for larger externally focused projects

The R&D Funders Committee is now being developed to help I.C.E. examine possible funding opportunities available in the marketplace from philanthropic organizations with an interest in credentialing. I.C.E. is engaging a consultant to assist in that examination, with an RFP to be released in June. If you are interested in volunteering for this committee, please complete this very short form to indicate your interest.

Additionally, the R&D Fundraising Committee, a separate committee that is responsible for I.C.E.’s annual fundraising campaign, is launching its 2026 effort. You may be hearing from them soon. If you are interested in learning how you can financially support these projects, visit the I.C.E. R&D webpage.

It takes a village of volunteers to tackle these extensive research topics. Thank you to all the R&D-related volunteers willing to engage in these important projects as we leverage research to continue to build trust and awareness of the important impacts of credentialing. Volunteers listed here on our committee roster page.

To find out more about the I.C.E. Research Agenda, go to the webpage dedicated to research. Or contact Denise Roosendaal for more information.