What is a Think Tank?
"Think tanks are public-policy research analysis and engagement organizations that generate policy-oriented research, analysis, and advice on domestic and international issues, thereby enabling policy makers and the public to make informed decisions about public policy. Think tanks may be affiliated or independent institutions that are structured as permanent bodies, not ad hoc commissions. These institutions often act as a bridge between the academic and policymaking communities and between states and civil society, serving in the public interest as an independent voice that translates applied and basic research into a language that is understandable, reliable, and accessible for policy makers and the public." (Sources: Think Tanks and Policy Advice in the US, Routledge 2007 and in The Fifth Estate: Think Tanks, Public Policy, and Governance, Brookings Institution Press 2016)
Top Think Tanks for Western Europe:
- Bruegel (Belgium)
- French Institute of International Relations (IFRI) (France)
- International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) (United Kingdom)
- Chatham House (United Kingdom)
- Konrad Adenauer Foundation (KAS) (Germany)
- Center for European Policy Studies (CEPS) (Belgium)
- Danish Institute for International Studies (DIIS) (Denmark)
- Elcano Royal Institute (Spain)
- Clingendael, Netherlands Institute of International Relations (Netherlands)
- Adam Smith Institute (ASI) (United Kingdom)
- Barcelona Centre for International Affairs (CIDOB) (Spain)
- Amnesty International (AI) (United Kingdom)
Top Think Tanks for Central and Eastern Europe:
- Center for Social and Economic Research (CASE) (Poland)
- Razumkov Centre (Ukraine)
- EUROPEUM Institute for European Policy (Czech Republic)
- Carnegie Moscow Center (Russia)
- Centre for Liberal Strategies (CLS) (Bulgaria)
- PRAXIS Center for Public Policy Studies (Estonia)
- Centre for Public Policy (PROVIDUS) (Latvia)
- Prague Security Studies Institute (PSSI) (Czech Republic)
- Institute of World Economy and International Relations (Russia)
- European Policy Centre (CEP (Servia)
- Polish Institute of International Affairs (PISM) (Poland)
- Center for Security and Defense Studies Foundation (CSDS) (Hungary)
Conservative (or Right-Wing) Think Tanks
| Category | Definition |
|---|---|
| AUTONOMOUS AND INDEPENDENT | Significant independence from any one interest group or donor and autonomous in its operation and funding from government. |
| QUASI INDEPENDENT | Autonomous from government but controlled by an interest group, donor, or contracting agency that provides a majority of the funding and has significant influence over operations of the think tank. |
| GOVERNMENT AFFILIATED | A part of the formal structure of government. |
| QUASI GOVERNMENTAL | Funded exclusively by government grants and contracts but not a part of the formal structure of government. |
| UNIVERSITY AFFILIATED | A policy research center at a university. |
| POLITICAL PARTY AFFILIATED | Formally affiliated with a political party. |
| CORPORATE (FOR PROFIT) | A for-profit public policy research organization, affiliated with a corporation or merely operating on a for-profit basis. |
Top Think Tank Worldwide (US & Non-US):
- Brookings Institution
- Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
- Bruegel
- French Institute of International Relations (IFRI)
- Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS)
- Fundacao Getulio Vargas
- Chatham House
- International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS)
- Heritage Foundation
- Peterson Institute for International Economics (PIIE)
- Wilson Center, FKA Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars
- Center for American Progress (CAP)
Top Think Tanks in the US:
- Brookings Institution
- Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS)
- Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
- Heritage
- Wilson Center
- RAND Corporation
- Peterson Institute for International Economics (PIIE)
- Center for American Progress (CAP)
- Urban Institute
- Atlantic Council
- Council on Foreign Relations (CFR)
- Center for New American Security (CNAS)
- Cato Institute
- Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs
- Hudson Institute
Think Tank Search and Discovery
CGS Policy Archive. Comprehensive digital library of public policy research containing over 30,000
Think Tank Search Engine. From Harvard Kennedy School Library
Think Tanks and NGOs. List of non-profit research institutes and NGOs around the world
Virtual Library: International Affairs Resources. Directory of sources on international affairs, international relations international studies, global studies, and global education
Global Go To Think Tank Index Reports. Comprehensive think tank overview publication from the University of Pennsylvania, updated annually
Open Think Tank Directory. A global collection of think tanks and related organizations
Think Tank Directory Europe. Contains information about the most important think tanks in the European Union
On Think Tanks Blog
- On Think Tanks BlogToday, On Think Tanks is a global platform dedicated to the study and support of policy research centres. Our team (including trainers and board members) live and work in 6 continents and our readers reflect this diversity.
Global Distribution of Think Tanks
| REGION | NUMBER OF THINK TANKS |
|---|---|
| EUROPE | 2219 |
| NORTH AMERICA | 2058 |
| ASIA | 1829 |
| SOUTH & CENTRAL AMERICA | 1023 |
| SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA | 612 |
| TOTAL | 8,248 |