Just before the FIFA World Cup began in Russia Thursday, the University announced an educational partnership with an international sports integrity coalition, according to a press release Wednesday.

The partnership between GW and the Sport Integrity Global Alliance, an organization that advocates for ethical and legal sports conduct, marks the beginning of the “SIGA University Network.” The collaboration will allow both institutions to roll out a series of sports integrity-focused initiatives, including a masters-level curriculum in sports integrity and joint research projects on the topic, according to the release.

Students will also be able to intern at SIGA and its member organizations starting in 2019 as a result of the agreement, the release states.

Lisa Delpy Neirotti, an associate professor of sport management, said the collaboration highlights a shared goal between the two organizations to ensure all athletes can participate in sports with “safe and fair participation.”

“Money should not corrupt sport but help expand programs to benefit more people,” Neirotti said in the release. “Sport is a powerful tool for positive change if used correctly.”

Emanuel Macedo de Medeiros, the CEO of SIGA, said the agreement is “the first of many” for the organization’s university network, which will feature institutions across the globe “to enhance our fight for sport integrity.”

“We need a new culture where sport integrity is at the top of the agenda with the hope that current and future leaders will drive the change and reform needed across sporting organizations,” he said in the release.