The Stimson Center was ranked the No. 20 think tank in the United States out of more than 1,800 think tanks by the Think Tanks and Civil Societies Program at the University of Pennsylvania. This marks the highest ranking to date for the Stimson Center in the annual rankings, which have been released since 2006. It also marks the third consecutive year the Center was ranked as a top-25 think tank in the U.S.
Globally, the Center continued to be ranked highly for its innovative ideas, research excellence, institutional integrity, and public outreach. The Center earned recognition in multiple categories, including:
- No. 27 in “Defense and National Security”
- No. 29 in “Best New Idea or Paradigm”
- No. 36 in “Best Quality Assurance and Integrity Policies”
- No. 42 in “Best Use of the Internet”
- No. 118 in “Foreign Policy and International Affairs”
The rankings mark the most recent public recognition for Stimson’s work. Stimson was awarded a top rating from the watchdog organization Transparify in recognition of the Center’s transparency and openness in disclosing its funding sources. Prospect magazine praised Stimson’s work on drone warfare, shortlisting the Center in the category of “U.S. International Affairs.” Of Stimson’s senior project directors, 70% are women — and a 2015 Foreign Policy study found the Center had the most women in policy leadership positions of any leading think tank. The MacArthur Foundation recognized Stimson in 2013 with its “institutional genius” Award for Creative and Effective Institutions.
Click here to view the complete rankings.