Institute for Policy Studies

This year the Institute for Policy Studies is celebrating its 35th year as the only multi-issue progressive think tank in Washington, D.C. At a time when other think tanks celebrate the virtues of unrestrained greed, unlimited wealth, and unregulated markets, IPS is striving to create a more responsible society - one built around the values of justice, nonviolence, sustainability, and decency. IPS, as I.F. Stone once said, is "an Institute for the rest of us."

We have four program areas run by the Institutes' Fellows. These four areas include: Global Economy; Paths for the 21st Century; Sustainable Communities; Peace and Security. These program areas are linked with each other and with coalitions around the country through our Progressive Challenge networking and outreach program, which unites single issue organizations and programs under a common, multi-issue progressive agenda entitled the Fairness Agenda for America.

The Institute also houses three other networking programs: the Social Action and Leadership School for Activists (SALSA) and the Letelier-Moffitt Human Rights Awards program, and the IPS Publications Program. Through its classes, SALSA teaches activists how to manage, organize, communicate and strategize more effectively. The Letelier-Moffitt Human Rights Awards annually honors outstanding human rights activists in memory of two IPS staff killed by a car bomb in 1976 under orders of the Chilean Secret Police. You may purchase recent IPS publications by clicking the IPS Publications link.

IPS has a variety of opportunities for college students and recent graduates to get involved in our work through our Internship Program. If interested, browse through the descriptions of the different positions offered and download our Internship Application.

Learn more about the work of IPS by browsing the following links:

IPS Projects:

Citizen Truth Commissions on Drugs, Government Complicity and Our Communities: The Citizen Truth Commissions on Drugs, Government Complicity and Our Communities is documenting government complicity in drug trafficking and the impact of the "war on drugs" on poor and border communities in the U.S. The website includes hot news, background information and documents, press releases, resources, news stories, and information on how to organize a Truth Commission.

Greenpolicy: (A project of the IPS Sustainable Communities Program) The Green Policy Network, the home page of the IPS Sustainable Communities Program, maps out the players and policies of the sustainable-communities movement, which aims to create healthy local economies that not only do not imperil, but enhance, local ecosystems.

Internship Program: IPS seeks undergraduate and graduate students for unpaid internships with any of our programs.

Membership: Join the IPS community.

Publications: A listing of recent books and studies by IPS researchers.

Social Action Leadership School for Activists (SALSA): (An IPS education project) SALSA is a skills training program for progressive groups and individuals that strengthens community activism and fosters engaged citizenship.

Sustainable Energy and Economic Network (SEEN): (An IPS research and activism project) SEEN works in partnership with citizen groups globally on environment and development issues with a particular focus on climate change, energy, gender equity, and economic issues.

Joint Projects:

Foreign Policy in Focus: (A joint project with the Interhemispheric Resource Center) The Foreign Policy In Focus website is a one-stop shop for progressive foreign policy analysis. The site includes full text copies of all In Focus briefs, comprehensive resources, Action Alerts, issues of the Progressive Response, and a media center.

Progressive Challenge: (A joint project of over 100 citizen groups in conjunction with the Progressive Caucus) The Progressive Challenge is a national networking and outreach program, which unites single issue organizations and programs under a common, multi-issue progressive agenda entitled the Fairness Agenda for America.

Affiliate Project:

National Commission for Economic Conversion and Disarmament: (An affiliated project of IPS) The N.C.E.C.D. website posts summaries of available publications including new reports on trade in arms and environmental technologies and a summary and analysis of the state of conversion since the end of the Cold War.

Independent Sister Organization:

Transnational Institute (TNI, Amsterdam): (A sister institute of public scholars around the world) The Transnational Institute is a 25-year old institute of researcher activists from around the world who are addressing the gap between the rich and poor.