RFC 2014 (rfc2014) - Page 2 of 13
IRTF Research Group Guidelines and Procedures
Alternative Format: Original Text Document
RFC 2014 IRTF Research Group Guidelines October 1996
The IRTF is a composed of a number of focused, long-term, small
Research Groups. These groups work on topics related to Internet
protocols, applications, architecture and technology. Research Groups
are expected to have the stable long term membership needed to
promote the development of research collaboration and teamwork in
exploring research issues. Participation is by individual
contributors, rather than by representatives of organizations.
The IRTF is managed by the IRTF Chair in consultation with the
Internet Research Steering Group (IRSG). The IRSG membership
includes the IRTF Chair, the chairs of the various Research Group and
possibly other individuals ("members at large") from the research
community.
The IRTF Chair is appointed by the IAB, the Research Group chairs are
appointed as part of the formation of Research Groups (as detailed
below) and the IRSG members at large are chosen by the IRTF Chair in
consultation with the rest of the IRSG and on approval by the IAB.
In addition to managing the Research Groups, the IRSG may from time
to time hold topical workshops focusing on research areas of
importance to the evolution of the Internet, or more general
workshops to, for example, discuss research priorities from an
Internet perspective.
This document defines procedures and guidelines for formation and
operation of Research Groups in the IRTF. The duties of the IRTF
Chair, the Research Group Chairs and IRSG members are also described.
Except for members at large of the IRSG, there is no general
participation in the IRTF, only participation in a specific Research
Group.
The document uses: "shall", "will", "must" and "is required" where it
describes steps in the process that are essential, and uses:
"suggested", "should" and "may" where guidelines are described that
are not essential, but are strongly recommended to help smooth
Research Group operation. The terms "they", "them" and "their" are
used in this document as third-person singular pronouns.
1.1. IRTF approach
The reader is encouraged to study The Internet Standards Process [1]
to gain a complete understanding of the philosophy, procedures and
guidelines of the IETF and its approach to standards making.
The IRTF does not set standards, and thus has somewhat different and
complementary philosophy and procedures. In particular, an IRTF
Research Group is expected to be long-lived, producing a sequence of
Weinrib & Postel Best Current Practice