On Think Tanks

The 2025 State of the Sector Survey is here! Each year, our Think Tank State of the Sector Report provides the most comprehensive global analysis of think tank trends, challenges, and opportunities. Your insights power this report. Think tanks worldwide are navigating complex challenges—now more than ever, your voice matters. Help shape a global dialogue on how to strengthen and sustain the sector. This isn’t just a survey—it’s a chance to influence the future of the sector. Participate now: https://lnkd.in/gwdrQik4 #StateOfTheSector2025 #ThinkTanks #GlobalInsights #EvidenceForImpact

New #ThinkTanks added to OTT’s Open Think Tank Directory! 🇸🇪 International Youth Think Tank 🇵🇱 Instytut Reform 🇺🇸 Capita 🇺🇸 Yorktown Institute 🇺🇸 Center for Law, Energy & the Environment at Berkeley Law 🇬🇧 York Student Think Tank  🇬🇧 Climate:Change 🇸🇴 ICE Institute OTT’s #OpenThinkTankDirectory offers a comprehensive collection of over 3,800 think tanks and related organisations. It's the ultimate resource for funders and think tanks to connect, collaborate, and amplify their policy impact—explore the directory today and unlock new opportunities! https://lnkd.in/eF2ugF3e #GlobalPolicy #Collaboration #ResearchImpact #PolicyResearch #FundingOpportunities #Partnerships #ThinkTanks

Think tanks walk a fine line between financial #sustainability and intellectual independence. But how much influence does funding really have? 🔹 Core funding = Stability & autonomy 🔹 Project-based funding = Donor-driven agendas 🔹 Diversification = Solution or illusion? Lessons from #Ecuador, #Argentina, and #Indonesia show different paths toward funding transparency. But is full disclosure always the right approach? Explore #insights in Estefanía Terán Valdez’s new #blog: https://lnkd.in/dsBnvDmU #ThinkTanks #FundingTransparency #PublicPolicy #ResearchImpact

Think tank leaders—this is your moment! Funding shifts, geopolitical changes, and rising political extremism are reshaping the think tank landscape. How can think tanks adapt, collaborate, and drive impact in this evolving context? Explore highlights from this month’s newsletter — 📝 Share your insights in the think tank sector survey—help shape the 2025 report and inform the future of the sector. Your voice matters! https://lnkd.in/gwdrQik4 🇿🇦 Johannesburg is the place to be this June! With the #OTTConference (16-18 June), the #T20 Summit (19-20 June), and an #IMFAfrica think tanks dialogue on the 16th, it’s shaping up to be a week of big conversations and global connections. https://lnkd.in/dAtNZP_c Ready to shape the future? Take the survey, register your interest, and get involved! Subscribe to receive monthly updates: https://lnkd.in/eUt_Ains #ThinkTanks #PolicyImpact #StateoftheSector #ResearchMatters

Think tanks do more than shape public policy—they drive societal change, influence public opinion, and foster global collaboration. How do they measure their impact? And what role do they play in addressing today’s biggest challenges? Join Dr. Luciana S., President of the Institute for Applied Economic Research (Ipea), Brazil, at the #OTTConference as she shares insights from Ipea’s leadership in the #T20 2024 and explores how think tanks can maximise their influence. Don’t miss this keynote—register your interest now to join us in #Johannesburg this June: https://lnkd.in/dU59jXbf #OTTConference2025 #ThinkTanks #PublicPolicy #SouthAfrica #ThinkTankImpact #Conference

Thank you On Think Tanks for organising yesterday’s thought-provoking webinar on building resilient education research systems in #Africa. With disruptions to international funding to education research highlighting the fragility of the current system, it was an important discussion on how national/local funders can ensure sustainable support moving forward. The importance of implementing learnings from research, and better 'storytelling' to show impact, was highlighted as one of the key elements to securing support. Samuel Mugacha Imaginable Futures On Think Tanks Echidna Giving 

Leading a think tank is like navigating a maze. Many leaders grapple with:  🔹 Sustaining funding while remaining independent  🔹 Strengthening governance and leadership teams  🔹 Expanding influence in a crowded policy space You’re not alone. Even the most successful think tanks have faced these challenges—and found ways to overcome them. Our advisory programme for think tank leaders brings lessons from global best practices, helping you make informed, strategic decisions: https://lnkd.in/dbgb_Cb4 | Enrique Mendizabal What’s the biggest challenge your think tank is tackling? Let’s discuss in the comments! #ThinkTankLeadership #PolicyInfluence #Governance #FundingStrategy

US think tanks need to start to paying attention to the experiences of think tanks in other parts of the world where this is happening all the time. On Think Tanks will soon be joining Soapbox and think tanks from Argentina, Serbia and South Africa to share these experiences with US based think tanks. Stay tuned! (9th April) In the meantime... as the world turn authoritarian... what can think tanks and their funders do? https://lnkd.in/efPR6_Zt

This disruption caused by USAID and other government cuts has highlighted the extent to which the #GlobalSouth depends on external financial support, and, consequently, the fragility of this dependence. As I explore in this blog homegrown solutions which are alive and thriving- and the role of Northern funders in supporting them. #FundingFuture #Localisation #ThinkTanks #EIP #SustainableResearch

Today Samuel Mugacha moderated an insightful webinar on building resilient education research systems. Thank you to the entire team On Think Tanks and all of the panelists for leading this important discussion. Some key takeaways: 1️⃣ Sustainable Research Funding – Africa must transition from short-term, donor-driven research funding to long-term, policy-anchored domestic investment. 2️⃣ Maximizing Existing Research – 60-80% of research remains unpublished and underutilized. We must curate, disseminate, and apply existing local knowledge effectively. 3️⃣ Strengthening Public & Private Collaboration – National research councils, improved infrastructure, and greater business sector involvement are essential for sustainable research funding. 4️⃣ Mindset Shift & Storytelling – We need to get better at communicating research impact and prioritizing local evidence. Global organizations should support rather than dictate African research agendas. 5️⃣ Addressing Structural Barriers – Legal and bureaucratic hurdles make it difficult to channel funding effectively. We must streamline contracting processes and equip institutions with the right skills to navigate complex funding landscapes. #EducationResearch #ForAfricaByAfricaInAfrica