Top think tanks for global development professionals

Devex lists the top think tanks worldwide, according to a report released this year, highlighting opportunities for global development professionals to work alongside industry experts, build expertise, and contribute to policy changes that impact the sector. The “Global Go To Think Tank Index Report” rankings, published by the Think Tanks and Civil Societies Program at the University of Pennsylvania, are based on a process of nominations, peer and expert evaluation, and selection by a panel of experts. 1. Brookings Institution Headquarters: Washington, D.C., U.S. Founded: 1916 Mission: Conduct in-depth research that leads to new ideas for solving societal problems at the local, national, and global level. Staff: 300+ global experts in government and academia Areas of research: Foreign policy, economics, development, governance, and metropolitan policy. Fellowship opportunities: Through the David M. Rubenstein Fellowship Program, Brookings aims to increase diversity among its scholarly community by finding the next generation of creative thinkers to help achieve their missions. Information to come in the fall of 2020 on the application process and deadlines for the next program intake. Professional opportunities: The institution also looks for management, operational, and support staff within its research and business units, and these positions include finance, ITS, communications, and development. Current vacancies range from donor relations and special events coordinator, to chief information officer. View all current vacancies here. Staff benefits include: Wellness programs including free gym membership; discounts on a range of publications, products, events, and experiences; financial assistance for further education; transportation benefits; networking groups. 2. Institut français des relations internationales (French Institution for International Relations) Headquarters: Paris, France Other locations: Brussels, Belgium Founded: 1979 Mission: Produce an analysis of international issues and global governance and put them in perspective. Staff: 60+ permanent research staff Areas of research: Economy; energy and space; migration and citizenship; health and environment; security and defense. Fellowship and professional opportunities: No information available for current or upcoming fellowship programs and positions. 3. Carnegie Endowment for International Peace Headquarters: Washington, D.C., U.S. Other locations: Research centers in Russia, China, Belgium, Lebanon, and India. Founded: 1910 Mission: Advance peace through analysis and development of fresh policy ideas and direct engagement and collaboration with various decision-makers. Staff: 100+ experts Areas of research: Climate and energy; defense and security; democracy and governance; economy; foreign policy; global governance; nuclear weapons; political reform; society and culture; and technology. Fellowship opportunities: The James C. Gaither Fellows program offers 12-14 fellowships annually to qualified graduating seniors and individuals who have graduated in the past academic year. The fellows serve for one year as research assistants to Carnegie’s senior scholars. They are selected from a pool of candidates nominated by several hundred participating universities and colleges. The program generally sends application information to participating universities by the first week of October and essay topics vary each year. Professional opportunities: In addition to subject experts, the institute has professionals working in programmatic, editorial, and web design roles. View current vacancies here. 4. Bruegel Headquarters: Brussels, Belgium Founded: 2005 Mission: Improve the quality of economic policy with open and fact-based research, analysis, and debate. Staff: 40+ research staff, additional nonresearch staff Areas of research: European macroeconomics and governance; global economics and governance; finance and financial regulation; innovation and competition; energy and climate. Fellowship opportunities: Bruegel offers several types of positions to scholars, recent graduates, and current students. Availability of research positions generally aligns with the start of fall and spring. Appointments can, however, be made throughout the year and spontaneous expressions of interest from academic researchers and professionals are welcome. Professional opportunities: The organization also looks for nonresearch staff, including professionals from communications, public funding, editorial, and accounting backgrounds. 5. Center for Strategic and International Studies Headquarters: Washington, D.C., U.S. Founded: 1971 Mission: Provide strategic insights and policy solutions to help decision-makers toward a better world. Staff: 220+ full time Areas of research: Cybersecurity and technology; defense and security; economics; energy and sustainability; global health; human rights; international development. Scholars work on issues pertaining to Africa, the Americas, the Arctic, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, Russia, and Eurasia. Professional opportunities: CSIS offers career tracks for individuals working in research and administration. It also offers paid internships, advertised throughout the year, to students who have completed two years of undergraduate credits. Internships are also offered to non-U.S. citizens, although visa sponsorship is not provided by CSIS. 6. FGV Fundação Getulio Vargas (Getulio Vargas Foundation) Headquarters: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Other locations: São Paulo and Brasilia, Brazil Founded: 1944 Mission: To stimulate Brazil’s socioeconomic development. Starting out with a focus on education in Brazil, the institution has moved beyond teaching and into research and information. Areas of research: Publications (180 books and 3,000+ academic papers in 2018) deal with topics including: social sciences; law; economics; energy; mathematics; public policy; regulation; international relations; administration; and institutions. Fellowship and professional opportunities: Individuals interested in working with FGV can submit their CV to the organization's database for positions at a professional, internship, or apprentice level. The database doesn’t just look for research experts, but also those with experience in design, law, and marketing, among others. View current vacancies within the organization, including junior software developer and fundraising analyst, here. 7. Chatham House Headquarters: London, U.K. Founded: 1926 Mission: Inform debate, independent analysis, new policy ideas, and outreach to help build a sustainably secure, prosperous, and just world. Areas of research: Africa; Asia-Pacific; Europe; Middle East and North Africa; Russia and Eurasia; U.S. and the Americas; global health security; energy, environment, and resources; global economy and finance; international law; and international security. Fellowship opportunities: The Queen Elizabeth II Academy for Leadership in International Affairs offers 12-month fellowships to potential and established leaders from around the world. In 2019/2020, the academy is offering residential fellowships under three overarching themes; 10-month global governance fellowships supported by a handful of the institution’s different fellowship programs with specific regional focus; two-month fellowships through the Dame DeAnne Julius Senior Academy Fellowship in International Economics; and the 10-month Robert Bosch Stiftung Academy Fellowship (Central & Eastern Europe and Africa) on transition experiences and developments in relations between these three regions. Professional opportunities: In addition to the research programs and department, a range of professionals also work in the director's office, communications and publications, external relations, and the library. View current vacancies here. 8. Heritage Foundation Headquarters: Washington, D.C., U.S. Founded: 1973 Mission: A conservative research and educational institution that researches key policy issues and markets these findings to primary audiences, including members of Congress and policymakers in the executive branch. Staff: 91 Areas of research: Taxes; health care reform; budget and spending; immigration; terrorism. Fellowship opportunities: The organization’s Young Leaders Program offers 12-15 week internship placements where individuals can work with and learn from experts from a variety of backgrounds. Through the Marshall Fellowship, the Heritage Foundation also runs a program to provide young professionals with a comprehensive overview of national security principles and strategic leadership. This program runs March through April. Professional opportunities: The organization currently has 45 staff in leadership roles, and 139 staff in other roles spanning administration, support, and operations. View current job openings here. Staff benefits: Training and professional development resources; tuition assistance; and fitness center. 9. RAND Corporation Headquarters: Santa Monica, California Other locations: U.S. locations include Pittsburgh, Boston, New Orleans, Santa Monica, San Francisco. Non-U.S. offices in Brussels, Belgium, and Cambridge, U.K. Founded: 1948 Mission: Develop solutions to public policy challenges to help make communities throughout the world safer, more secure, healthier, and more prosperous. Staff: 1,900+ Areas of research: Children, families, and communities; cyber and data science; education and literacy; energy and environment; health, health care, and aging; homeland security and public safety; infrastructure and transportation; international affairs; law and business; national security and terrorism; science and technology; workers and the workplace. Fellowship and research opportunities: RAND runs a 12-week Graduate Student Summer Associate Program where participants work with experts and gain practical research experience. Positions are available in RAND’s offices in Santa Monica, D.C., Pittsburgh, and Boston, and financial support is provided. The 2019 application period is now closed and applications for summer 2020 will be accepted from mid-October 2019. RAND also offers funding for doctorates on the topic of public policy analysis and postdoctoral fellowships for research on specific topics including nuclear security and aging. It also offers fellowships for those actively serving in the military or based in the Asia-Pacific region. Professional opportunities: The organization currently has 40+ staff working in executive, operational, or support roles. View current vacancies here. 10. International Institute for Strategic Studies Headquarters: London, U.K. Other locations: U.K., Bahrain, and Singapore Founded: 1958 Mission: Provide objective information on military, geopolitical, and geoeconomic developments that could lead to conflict. Staff: 60+ experts Areas of research: Conflict; defense; environment and climate change; geoeconomics; global politics; nonproliferation and disarmament; terrorism and security. Fellowship and internship opportunities: The institute is currently looking for individuals for its graduate internship programs on nonproliferation and nuclear policy as well as its conflict, security, and development program. It is also accepting applications for research fellows on the Middle East. All positions close by the end of May and more information can be found here. Professional opportunities: The organization currently has 18 professionals working in executive roles and 36 serving in operational roles, in everything from external relations, to knowledge and information services. Staff benefits include: Staff meals; staff gym in certain office locations; practical and mental health support; and wellness activities. 11. Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars Headquarters: Washington, D.C., U.S. Founded: 1968 Mission: Build a bridge between the worlds of academia and public policy and to inform and develop solutions to the nation’s problems and challenges. Staff: 150 fellows yearly Areas of research: Cold war history; cybersecurity; energy; environment; global governance; Islamic State group; maternal health; migration; national security; nuclear weapons; trade; urban governance; population; science and technology; and women’s leadership. Professional opportunities: The center offers nine-month residential fellowships every year, which allow fellows to conduct research, build expertise, and interact with policymakers in Washington, D.C. Applications closed in October of last year for the current cohort of fellows so interested individuals should check here for more information throughout the year and apply early. The center also offers part-time internships to current, recent, or returning college students. Position availability generally aligns with the beginning of the fall, spring, and summer terms. The Wilson Foreign Policy Fellowship Program is a six-week seminar series that encourages participants to debate key issues with top foreign policy thinkers and practitioners from the U.S. The program looks for rising leaders in foreign policy and invites mid-senior level congressional staff to apply. The center hosts this program twice per year — spring and fall — with approximately 50 participants in each cohort. Applications are now closed for the spring program but interested professionals should look out for more information for the fall program. Professional opportunities: There are currently no job openings with the center and no further information available on nonresearch based roles. Staff benefits include: Free gym membership; flexible work options; commuter benefits; training and development opportunities. 12. Peterson Institute for International Economics Headquarters: Washington, D.C., U.S. Founded: 1981 Mission: Provide objective analysis and concrete solutions to a wide range of international economic problems. Staff: Approximately 70, including 20 senior researchers and 15 nonresident fellows Areas of research: Economics issues; finance; organizations; political economy; trade and investment; regions and countries. Fellowship and professional opportunities: No information available for current or upcoming fellowship programs and positions.