IGE's research and publication programs are conducted under the auspices of its Center on Faith & International Affairs (CFIA). CFIA was founded in the months following 9/11, during which IGE twice convened the "Noah Group," named for what IGE calls the "Noah Principle": Anyone can predict rain, but not everyone can build an ark. The Noah Group was a small group of young professionals in international affairs who came together to discuss how faith leaders and experts on religion could provide practical intellectual leadership for this new era where religion was necessarily a key factor. These young leaders recognized that there was often misunderstanding among and between professionals in the fields of religion and international relations, and that as such there was a need for new programs that would build bridges and catalyze innovative collaboration among scholars and practitioners.

In response, CFIA was established to equip members of the international affairs community with a balanced understanding of the role of religion in public life worldwide. It does this by studying the impact of faith on state and society, providing rigorous analysis and thoughtful commentary through its events and publications. In keeping with IGE's philosophy of robust (not merely relativistic) pluralism, CFIA provides a lively forum open to diverse voices-from the decidedly secular to the devoutly religious. In addition to its flagship quarterly journal, The Review of Faith & International Affairs (published in hard copy and at http://www.rfiaonline.org/ with additional web-exclusive content), CFIA programs include research projects, conferences, lectures, books, monographs, briefs, and fellowships.