The Institute for Policy Research (IPR) has been Ohio’s premier multidisciplinary public policy research organization since 1971. The IPR provides cutting-edge social and behavioral research services to community leaders, state and national policymakers, and the community-at-large that advance the University’s education, research, and public service missions.

The IPR has evolved into a fast-paced, nationally recognized authority on public policy. It supports the formulation, implementation, and evaluation of public policies and assists decision-makers at the local, regional, state, and national levels and in the nonprofit sectors with projects in health policy, workforce development, public safety, culture and the arts, and many other issues of broad public concern.

Expanding the IPR’s funding base beyond traditional research grants and contracts would enable the IPR to reach its full potential.  By including private contributions from individuals, families, alumni, foundations and corporations, the IPR could conduct independent, objective research related to public policy issues now and in the future, and especially in pioneering areas where no other funding is available.

Funding Opportunities

Scholarships and Fellowships

One of the important functions the IPR serves is training the next generation of policy researchers through providing opportunities for practical experience in research and mentoring by senior researchers. IPR needs funding for undergraduate scholarships and graduate assistantships and fellowships to attract the best and brightest future analysts who seek careers in public policy research, in government, in the growing not-for-profit sector, in advocacy work, in politics, in academia, or more advanced graduate work.

Faculty Support

The IPR seeks three types of faculty support:

• An endowed chair for the director 
• Stipends to fund visiting faculty from a broad array of disciplines within and outside UC to work on projects with IPR staff and student assistants
• Joint appointments with academic departments, which would benefit students in the classroom by having IPR researchers teach or co-teach classes

Technology

The IPR uses costly information processing equipment to maintain its quality, its productivity and, importantly, the confidentiality of records involved in some health-related projects that are based on patient and other types of records.

The IPR would benefit from contributions that will enable it to invest in the latest software to produce better and more plentiful research at lower cost with improved quality control and versatility and  to purchase the best tools we can to provide UC students working at IPR with a professional advantage in seeking their first job after graduation.

Program Support

Unmet needs in public policy research that would benefit from private funding include:

• Support for the ongoing Ohio Poll, for which the potential sources of funding are often unsure
• Start-up funds for pilot projects that would enable the IPR to conduct research in important areas that would benefit society and form the basis to seek additional competitive fund
• A broad base of individual and organizational support that would provide matching funds that are often required by competitive grants
• Since general funds from UC are shrinking, the IPR must seek support from sources that do not compromise the integrity and credibility of the research