What is a Think Tank? A think tank is an organization that helps shape American politics by providing independent research and participating in the advancement of public policy issues. They provide data and expert recommendations in areas that influence political strategy, economics, science and technology issues, legal issues, social policy, and more. Many think tanks are non-profit organizations, while others receive direct government assistance or funds from individuals or corporate donors.
Think tanks employ highly educated individuals who are experts in their field and can write reports, organize events, give lectures, and give testimony to government committees. These jobs are very competitive, challenging, and rewarding.
Top-rated think tanks
The Brookings Institute ranks first in the category “Top 25 Expert Groups – Worldwide” according to the “World Ranking of Education Centers.” The rankings are based on surveys of think tanks, academics, and journalists. Global Go-To estimates that there are more than 7,000 think tanks in the world, based in 169 countries. The United States is home to 1,835 study centers with approximately 400 located in Washington, DC.
1. Brookings Institution – The nonprofit public policy organization consistently ranks as the most influential think tank in the US Brookings is unbiased and provides fact-based analysis for thought leaders, decision makers, academics and media on a wide range of topics.
The organization is funded through donations, philanthropic foundations, corporations, governments, and individuals.
2. Council on Foreign Relations – The nonprofit, nonpartisan think tank specializes in US foreign policy. Offices are in Washington DC and New York City. The David Rockefeller Study Program of the Council on Foreign Relations is home to more than 70 scholars who share their experience writing books, reports, articles, opinion pieces, and contribute to national discussions on important world issues.
3. Carnegie Endowment for International Peace: The nonprofit organization is dedicated to promoting cooperation among nations and promoting active international engagement by the United States. The organization is headquartered in Washington DC, with additional offices in Moscow, Beijing, Beirut, and Brussels.
4. Center for Strategic and International Studies: a public policy research institution dedicated to the analysis and impact of policies on government, international institutions, the private sector, and civil society.
5. RAND Corporation – The global organization focuses on a wide range of topics including health, education, national security, international affairs, law and business, and the environment. RAND is headquartered in Santa Monica, California, and has offices around the world. Its Washington DC office is located in Arlington, Virginia.
6. Heritage Foundation: Conservative think tank investigates a variety of topics: domestic and economic, foreign and defense, and legal and judicial.
7. American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research – The nonpartisan, nonprofit institution is dedicated to strengthening free enterprise and conducts research on government, politics, economics, and social welfare issues.
8. Cato Institute – The think tank conducts independent, non-partisan research on a wide range of policy issues ranging from Energy and Environment to Political Philosophy and Trade and Immigration. Cato is funded primarily through tax-deductible contributions from individuals, with additional support from foundations, corporations, and the sale of books and publications.
9. Peterson Institute for International Economics – The nonprofit, nonpartisan research institution is dedicated to the study of international economic policy.
His studies have contributed to important policy initiatives, such as reforms of the International Monetary Fund, the development of the North American Free Trade Agreement, the initiation of the Strategic and Economic Dialogue between the United States and China, and more.
10. Center for American Progress – The think tank focuses on public policy issues such as energy, national security, economic growth and opportunity, immigration, education, and health care.
Additional Resources
- NIRA Global Directory of Think Tanks: A Compilation of Information on Public Policy Institutes
- Think Tanks and Civil Societies Program – The University of Pennsylvania program conducts research on the role of think tanks around the world.
- Policy Jobs – The website is a resource for finding public policy jobs including foreign policy, economics, social policy, family policy, legal affairs, and fiscal policy.
