AIFOD publishes in full the rubric every application is scored against, the points allocated to each pillar and sub-indicator, and the role and limits of AI in the assessment. The assessment process is itself designed to comply with the FAIR principles it certifies. You can also score your own organisation against this rubric before applying.
Framework FAIR v2.1 · Procedure v2.1 · published 8 Oct 2026
Assessment combines a structured documentation review, AI-assisted scoring against the rubric below, and a confirmatory interview conducted by human examiners.
AI-generated scores are advisory. They triage, structure and inform the examination. They set a provisional tier and nothing more. No application is finally declined, and no rating is finally awarded, without human review and sign-off. Every decline and every rating carries the signature of the responsible human reviewer or examiners.
To reduce variance, each application is scored in three independent runs and the median score per pillar is adopted. For each pillar the engine produces a score out of 25, sub-indicator scores, the specific evidence it relied upon with document references, the evidence gaps it identified, and a list of questions recommended for the examiner interview. The full output, including its reasoning, is retained in the case file and is auditable.
An examiner may adjust the provisional tier by one level in either direction, with written reasons. An adjustment of more than one level requires the countersignature of a second examiner not previously involved in the case. Where two examiners disagree, a senior examiner decides.
Every application is assessed against four pillars of equal weight. Each pillar carries a maximum of 0 points, for a total score of 100.
| c1-1 | Purpose, problem and who it serves | 0 |
| c1-2 | Where it is used | 0 |
| c1-3 | AI functions and their limits | 0 |
| c2-1 | How data moves through the system | 0 |
| c2-2 | Where data is stored and who can access it | 0 |
| c2-3 | External integrations | 0 |
| c3-1 | Why the data is collected, and on what basis | 0 |
| c3-2 | Retention and deletion | 0 |
| c3-3 | Correction and deletion requests | 0 |
| c3-4 | Data leaving the country | 0 |
| c3-5 | Use of user data to train AI | 0 |
| c4-1 | Access control | 0 |
| c4-2 | Protecting sensitive information | 0 |
| c4-3 | Incidents, security and AI | 0 |
| c4-4 | Testing and corrective action | 0 |
| c5-1 | Dependency inventory | 0 |
| c5-2 | Critical dependencies | 0 |
| c6-1 | Stakeholders and consultation | 0 |
| c6-2 | Language, culture and accessibility | 0 |
| c6-3 | What feedback changed | 0 |
| c7-1 | Complaints and feedback after launch | 0 |
| c7-2 | Decisions about people, and human review | 0 |
| c8-1 | Benefits and measurable outcomes | 0 |
| c8-2 | Effects on jobs and local skills | 0 |
| c8-3 | Environmental and computing footprint | 0 |
A pillar score is the sum of its sub-indicator scores. The total score is the sum of the four pillar scores. Detailed level descriptors for each sub-indicator are provided to applicants in the Applicant Portal.
Ratings are awarded on total score and pillar floors. A weakness in any single pillar limits the overall rating — the weakest-pillar principle. Where the total meets a tier threshold but a pillar floor is not met, the rating is the highest tier whose floors are satisfied.
| Tier | Total score | Pillar floor |
|---|---|---|
| FAIR Certified | 0 – 100 | Every pillar at least 0 / 0 |
| Not certified | Below 0 | Or any pillar below 0 / 0 |
Applicants that are not certified may reapply after 0 months. The decision notice states the pillar-level reasons and the improvements required.
Core documentation is mandatory. Where the core documentation for a pillar is missing or materially incomplete, the score for that pillar is capped at 15 points regardless of the quality of other evidence, which in most cases precludes a Gold or Silver rating. Supplementary documents are optional, maximum two per pillar.
Accepted formats are PDF, DOC/DOCX and common image formats. Each file must not exceed 15 MB. Documents may be submitted in any official UN language; AIFOD may request certified translations where necessary.