Research Guides: UST 436: Urban Sustainability: Think Tanks

Michael Schwartz Library

Top Environment Policy Think Tanks (United States)

World Resources Institute
"global environmental think tank that goes beyond research to put ideas into action"
Worldwatch Institute
"analyzes interdisciplinary environmental data from around the world, providing information on how to build a sustainable society"
Brookings Institution
"private nonprofit organization committed to independent, nonpartisan research and publication, and to maintaining the highest level of integrity in pursuit of this mission"
Center for Climate and Energy Solutions
"independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit organization working to advance strong policy and action to address the twin challenges of energy and climate change"
Resources for the Future
"nonprofit and nonpartisan organization that conducts independent research – rooted primarily in economics and other social sciences – on environmental, energy, natural resource and environmental health issues"
CGIAR
"dedicated to reducing poverty, enhancing food and nutrition security, and improving natural resources and ecosystem services"
The Earth Institute, Columbia University
"mobilizing the sciences, education and public policy to achieve a sustainable earth"
RAND Corporation
"nonprofit institution that helps improve policy and decisionmaking through research and analysis...As a nonpartisan organization, RAND is widely respected for operating independent of political and commercial pressures."
Property and Environment Research Center
"dedicated to improving environmental quality through property rights and markets"
Competitive Enterprise Institute
"non-profit public policy organization dedicated to advancing the principles of limited government, free enterprise, and individual liberty"
Program on Energy and Sustainable Development
"international, interdisciplinary program that draws on the fields of economics, political science, law, and management to investigate how real energy markets work"
Center for Energy and Environmental Policy Research
"promotes rigorous and objective empirical research at MIT on issues related to energy and environmental policy to support decision-making by government and industry"

Think Tanks (United States)

Please use the links below to locate information on your policy issues from the websites of various Think Tanks. Look for sections on Issues, Reports/Publications, and Research.

"Think Tanks" provide public policy analysis and research. They can be nonpartisan in nature, or they can support specific political viewpoints, such as conservative or progressive.

TIP: To keep track of policy issues, sign up for ISSUE ALERTS provided by Think Tanks.

Here are links to the "Top 75 Think Tanks in the United States" as ranked by the 2015 Global Go To Think Tank Rankings Report. They are listed in Alphabetical Order.

Acton Institute for the Study of Religion and Liberty
"ecumenical think-tank dedicated to the study of free-market economics informed by religious faith and moral absolutes"
Africa Center for Strategic Studies
"mission to advance African security by expanding understanding, providing a trusted platform for dialogue, building enduring partnerships, and catalyzing strategic solutions"
American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research
"private, nonpartisan, not-for-profit institution dedicated to research and education on issues of government, politics, economics and social welfare"
The Arctic Institute
"independent, nonprofit 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization headquartered in Washington, D.C with a network of researchers across the world...envision a world in which the diverse and complex issues facing Arctic security are identified, understood, and innovatively resolved"
The Aspen Institute
"nonpartisan educational and policy studies institute based in Washington, DC"
Atlantic Council
"non partisan institution devoted to promoting transatlantic cooperation and international security"
Atlas Network
"nonprofit organization connecting a global network of more than 450 free-market organizations in over 90 countries to the ideas and resources needed to advance the cause of liberty"
Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs
"hub of the Harvard Kennedy School's research, teaching, and training in international security affairs, environmental and resource issues, and science and technology policy"
Bipartisan Policy Center
"working to find actionable solutions to the nation's key challenges"
Brookings Institution
"private nonprofit organization committed to independent, nonpartisan research and publication, and to maintaining the highest level of integrity in pursuit of this mission"
Carnegie Council for Ethics in International Affairs
"nonprofit, nonpartisan, educational institution. Its core mission is to broadcast to the world the message that ethics matter, regardless of place, origin, or belief."
Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
"private, nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing cooperation between nations and promoting active international engagement by the United States...work is nonpartisan and dedicated to achieving practical results"
The Cato Institute
"public policy research organization...dedicated to the principles of individual liberty, limited government, free markets and peace. Its scholars and analysts conduct independent, nonpartisan research on a wide range of policy issues."
Center for a New American Security
"mission of the Center for a New American Security (CNAS) is to develop strong, pragmatic and principled national security and defense policies...Its research is independent and non-partisan."
Center for American Progress
"dedicated to improving the lives of Americans through progressive ideas and action...work addresses 21st-century challenges such as energy, national security, economic growth and opportunity, immigration, education, and health care"
Center for Climate and Energy Solutions
"independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit organization working to advance strong policy and action to address the twin challenges of energy and climate change"
Center for Economic and Policy Research
"established in 1999 to promote democratic debate on the most important economic and social issues that affect people's lives"
Center for European Policy Analysis
"non-profit policy institute...mission is to promote an economically vibrant, strategically secure and politically free Central and Eastern Europe with close and enduring ties to the United States"
Center for Global Development
"works to reduce global poverty and inequality through rigorous research and active engagement with the policy community...independent, nonpartisan, and nonprofit think tank"
Center for International Development, Harvard University
"university-wide center that works to advance the understanding of development challenges and offer viable solutions to problems of global poverty"
Center for International Security and Cooperation
"Stanford University’s hub for researchers tackling some of the world's most pressing security and international cooperation issues"
Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments
"independent, nonprofit public policy research institute established to promote innovative thinking and debate about national security strategy, defense planning and military investment options for the 21st century"
Center for Strategic & International Studies
"bipartisan, nonprofit organization headquartered in Washington, D.C."
Center for the National Interest
"non-partisan public policy institution established by former President Richard Nixon. Its current programs focus on energy security and climate change, immigration and national security, and U.S. relations with China, Japan, Mexico, and Russia."
Center for Transatlantic Relations
"a non-profit research center that engages opinion leaders on contemporary challenges facing Europe and North America. The goal of the Center is to strengthen and reorient transatlantic relations to the dynamics of a globalizing world."
Center on Budget and Policy Priorities
"university-wide center that works to advance the understanding of development challenges and offer viable solutions to problems of global poverty"
Chicago Council on Global Affairs
"independent, non-partisan organization committed to influencing the discourse on global issues through contributions to opinion and policy formation..."
Competitive Enterprise Institute
"non-profit public policy organization dedicated to advancing the principles of limited government, free enterprise, and individual liberty"
Council on Foreign Relations
"independent, nonpartisan membership organization, think tank, and publisher"
Demos
"multi-issue national organization...in pursuit of three overarching goals: a more equitable economy with opportunity for all; a robust democracy in which all Americans are empowered to participate; a strong public sector that can provide for our common interests and shared needs"
The Earth Institute, Columbia University
"mobilizing the sciences, education and public policy to achieve a sustainable earth"
EastWest Institute
"international, non-partisan, not-for-profit policy organization focused on confronting critical challenges that endanger peace"
Economic Policy Institute
"non-profit, non-partisan think tank...conducts research and analysis on the economic status of working America"
Foreign Policy Research Institute
"independent, nonprofit organization devoted to advanced research and public education on international affairs"
Foundation for Economic Education
"mission is to inspire, educate and connect future leaders with the economic, ethical and legal principles of a free society"
Freedom House
"supports democratic change, monitors freedom, and advocates for democracy and human rights around the world"
The German Marshall Fund of the United States
"non-partisan American public policy and grantmaking institution dedicated to promoting better understanding and cooperation between North America and Europe on transatlantic and global issues"
The Heritage Foundation
"research and educational institution...whose mission is to formulate and promote conservative public policies based on the principles of free enterprise, limited government, individual freedom, traditional American values, and a strong national defense"
Hispanic American Center for Economic Research
"devoted to promote the study of issues pertinent to the countries of Hispanic America as well as Hispanic Americans living in the United States, especially as they relate to the values of personal and economic liberty, limited government under the rule of law, and individual responsibility"
Hoover Institution
"principles of individual, economic, and political freedom; private enterprise; and representative government "
Hudson Institute
"nonpartisan, independent policy research organization dedicated to innovative research and analysis that promotes global security, prosperity, and freedom"
Human Rights Watch
"one of the world’s leading independent organizations dedicated to defending and protecting human rights"
The Independent Institute
"non-profit, non-partisan, scholarly research and educational organization that sponsors in-depth studies of critical social and economic issues...mission of the Independent Institute is to boldly advance peaceful, prosperous, and free societies grounded in a commitment to human worth and dignity"
Information Technology and Innovation Foundation
"independent, nonpartisan research and educational institute focusing on the intersection of technological innovation and public policy"
Institute for Policy Studies
"Washington’s first progressive multi-issue think tank...a community of public scholars and organizers linking peace, justice, and the environment in the U.S. and globally"
Institute for Science and International Security
"non-profit, non-partisan institution dedicated to informing the public about science and policy issues affecting international security"
Institute for Women’s Policy Research
"non-profit organization dedicated to researching policy issues of critical importance for women"
Institute on Religion and Democracy
"faith-based alliance of Christians who monitor, comment, and report on issues affecting the Church...seek to reform the Church's role in public life, protect religious freedom, and support democracy at home and abroad"
Inter-American Dialogue
"build cooperation among Western Hemisphere nations and advance a regional agenda of democratic governance, social equity, and economic growth"
International Food Policy Research Institute
"seeks sustainable solutions for ending hunger and poverty"
James A. Baker III Institute for Public Policy, Rice University
"non-partisan organization focusing on the study, formulation, execution, and criticism of public policy"
Kaiser Permanente Institute for Health Policy
"mission is to shape policy and practice with evidence and experience from the nation’s largest private integrated health care delivery and financing organization"
Mackinac Center for Public Policy
"nonpartisan research and educational institute dedicated to improving the quality of life for all Michigan citizens by promoting sound solutions to state and local policy questions"
Manhattan Institute for Policy Research
"important force in shaping American political culture and developing ideas that foster economic choice and individual responsibility"
Mercatus Center
"university-based research center dedicated to bridging the gap between academic research and public policy problems"
Middle East Institute
“to increase knowledge of the Middle East among the citizens of the United States and to promote a better understanding between the people of these two areas”
Migration Policy Institute
"independent, non-partisan, non-profit think tank dedicated to the study of the movement of people worldwide"
National Bureau of Economic Research
"private, nonprofit, nonpartisan research organization dedicated to promoting a greater understanding of how the economy works"
New America Foundation
"nonprofit, nonpartisan public policy institute that invests in new thinkers and new ideas to address the next generation of challenges facing the United States"
Open Society Foundations
"founded by George Soros...seek to shape public policies that assure greater fairness in political, legal, and economic systems and safeguard fundamental rights"
Pacific Research Institute
"The mission of the Pacific Research Institute (PRI) is to champion freedom, opportunity, and personal responsibility for all individuals by advancing free-market policy solutions."
Peterson Institute for International Economics
"private, nonprofit, nonpartisan research institution devoted to the study of international economic policy"
Pew Research Center
"nonpartisan fact tank that provides information on the issues, attitudes and trends shaping America and the world"
RAND Corporation
"nonprofit institution that helps improve policy and decisionmaking through research and analysis...As a nonpartisan organization, RAND is widely respected for operating independent of political and commercial pressures."
Reason Foundation
"advances a free society by developing, applying, and promoting libertarian principles, including individual liberty, free markets, and the rule of law"
Resources for the Future
"nonprofit and nonpartisan organization that conducts independent research – rooted primarily in economics and other social sciences – on environmental, energy, natural resource and environmental health issues"
Stimson Center
"nonprofit, nonpartisan institution devoted to enhancing international peace and security through a unique combination of rigorous analysis and outreach"
Tax Foundation
"nonpartisan tax research group, educating taxpayers about sound tax policy and the size of the tax burden borne by Americans at all levels of government"
Third Way
"centrist think tank that offers fresh thinking and modern solutions to the most challenging problems in U.S. public policy..."
United States Institute of Peace
"the independent, nonpartisan conflict management center created by Congress to prevent and mitigate international conflict without resorting to violence"
Urban Institute
"nonpartisan economic and social policy research"
U.S.-Korea Institute
"increase information and understanding of Korea and Korean affairs"
Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars
"informs the nation’s public policy debates with nonpartisan and relevant research and information"
World Resources Institute
"global environmental think tank that goes beyond research to put ideas into action"
Worldwatch Institute
"analyzes interdisciplinary environmental data from around the world, providing information on how to build a sustainable society"

Michael Schwartz Library

UST 436: Urban Sustainability: Think Tanks

Top Environment Policy Think Tanks (United States)

Think Tank Directories

Think Tanks (United States)