Why CYR?
Provides independently assessed evidence of research readiness for CVs, academic portfolios and higher-study applications — subject to each institution's own admission criteria.
CYR · Certified Young Researcher
Don't Just Say You're a Researcher. Demonstrate It.
CYR is an assessment-based research competency credential designed for emerging researchers. Demonstrate your ability to think, investigate, design, communicate and conduct research against a defined competency standard — BDR-RCS v1.0.
You pay to be assessed. You don't pay to pass.
Assessment at a glance
- Standard
- BDR-RCS v1.0 — six competency domains
- Total score
- 100 points across seven assessed components
- Passing standard
- 70/100 overall, with minimum 50% in Research Design, Ethics & Integrity and the Research Proposal
- Achievement levels
- Certified (70–79) · Distinction (80–89) · Excellence (90–100)
- Assessment fee
- BDT 5,000 — one all-inclusive fee
- External certification partner
- No external partner is currently active. CYR is issued by BDResearchers.org.
What is CYR?
An assessment, not a course completion certificate
CYR identifies emerging researchers and independently assesses their research competencies against a published standard. It is not awarded for attending training and it cannot be purchased.
Who should apply?
Undergraduates, master's students, recent graduates, research assistants, early-stage researchers, young academics and professionals beginning research work. Competency-based, not age-restricted.
What you receive
A competency report for every candidate assessed; a verified digital credential, badge and public Research Competency Profile only for candidates who meet the standard.
BDR-RCS v1.0
Six competency domains
The BDResearchers Research Competency Standard is the framework against which every candidate is assessed.
Domain 1
Research Thinking & Problem Formulation
Identifying a researchable problem, distinguishing topic from problem, and formulating questions, objectives and a coherent research direction.
Domain 2
Literature & Evidence
Searching scholarly literature, appraising credibility, identifying gaps, synthesising evidence and citing correctly.
Domain 3
Research Design & Methodology
Selecting an appropriate design, specifying population, sampling, data collection, analysis and methodological limitations.
Domain 4
Research Ethics & Integrity
Academic integrity, plagiarism awareness, consent, data integrity, authorship and conflicts of interest.
Domain 5
Academic Communication
Communicating a research problem, structuring an academic argument, writing academically and presenting to an academic audience.
Domain 6
Research Practice / Execution
Translating design into a feasible plan, managing research stages, identifying resources and demonstrating research readiness.
Assessment architecture
How the assessment works
Seven assessed components totalling 100 points, scored against published rubric criteria by qualified assessors, then moderated and quality assured.
| Component | Points |
|---|---|
| Research Thinking Test | 15 |
| Literature & Evidence Task | 15 |
| Research Design & Methodology | 20 |
| CYR Research Proposal | 25 |
| Research Presentation | 10 |
| Ethics & Integrity | 10 |
| Academic Communication | 5 |
| Total | 100 |
The CYR Research Challenge
The signature component. Candidates produce a mini research proposal covering title, background, problem, gap, questions, objectives, literature, framework, methodology, data strategy, ethics, expected contribution, limitations and references — and give a five-minute research presentation.
Assessment quality chain
Assessor → Moderator → QA review → Final result
Proposals support double assessment by two independent assessors. Where scores diverge beyond the configured threshold, moderation is required. Every step is timestamped and auditable. Results can only be finalised from submitted assessor evaluations — no credential can be issued without assessment.
Outcome
Research Competency Profile and verified credential
Candidates who meet the standard receive a verified credential with a unique credential ID, a QR-verifiable public verification page, a digital badge and a Research Competency Profile hosted on BDResearchers.org.
Verified credential
Unique ID in the form BDR-CYR-YYYY-NNNNNN, publicly verifiable without an account. Status can be VERIFIED, EXPIRED or REVOKED.
Verify a credential →Competency profile
A professional public profile showing six competency scores, achievement level, research interests and — with explicit consent — the Research Challenge title and abstract.
Browse researchers →Research opportunities
Certified researchers can opt in to availability for research projects, RA roles, internships, data collection, literature review and collaboration, and pursue opportunities across BDResearchers.
See opportunities →Institutions
University partnerships, research clubs and scholarships
Universities can register cohorts, nominate candidates and provide preparation support. Sponsors can fund assessment seats. Neither can influence assessment outcomes.
CYR University Talent Partnership
University → Research Club → CYR Preparation → CYR Assessment → Certified Researchers → Research Opportunities. Coordinators receive aggregate participation reports only.
CYR Research Scholarships
Full and partial scholarship codes let universities, companies and foundations sponsor assessment fees transparently. Sponsors can support candidates; sponsors cannot influence assessment results.
Pricing
CYR Assessment & Certification
One all-inclusive assessment fee. There is no separate certificate fee.
Assessment & certification fee
BDT 5,000
Retake fee (where eligible): BDT 1,500
Apply for CYRYou pay to be assessed. You don't pay to pass.
- Application and screening
- Research Thinking, Literature and Design assessment
- CYR Research Challenge
- Expert proposal evaluation
- Research presentation evaluation
- Moderation and quality assurance
- Result processing and competency report
- Digital credential — if earned
- Verified public researcher profile — if earned
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Can you prove you are ready to be a researcher?
CYR 1000 — Global Young Researcher Challenge — a target of 1000 candidates assessed against the standard. Assessment first, credential second.