Rice University's Baker Institute for Public Policy
The Baker Institute for Public Policy is a nonpartisan, university-affiliated think tank founded in 1993 at Rice University in Houston that conducts data-driven policy research across energy, health, foreign policy, and economics, serving policymakers, business leaders, academics, and the public through publications, podcasts, and events.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1993
- HeadquartersHouston, United States
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Rice University's Baker Institute for Public Policy does
Rice University's Baker Institute for Public Policy is a nonpartisan, university-affiliated think tank founded in 1993 and located on Rice University's campus in Houston, Texas. The institute conducts data-driven policy research across seven specialized centers covering energy, health, tax and budget policy, the Middle East, U.S.-Mexico relations, science and technology, and policy leadership. It serves policymakers, business leaders, academics, and the general public, producing 3,175+ indexed research publications, six active podcast series, and a calendar of public events and conferences. Distribution is multi-channel: research is published free of charge through an online library, complemented by 9+ topic-specific email newsletters, podcasts on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube, and an active social media presence across X, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube.
The institute is led by Director David M. Satterfield (former U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon and Turkey), with Honorary Chair James A. Baker III (61st U.S. Secretary of State) and a Board of Advisors chaired by Linnet Deily (former U.S. Ambassador to the WTO). It employs 101-250 staff and 200+ resident experts drawn from academia, the private sector, and government.
The institute operates as a non-profit funded primarily by philanthropy (individual, corporate, and foundation donations) and supplemented by the Baker Roundtable, an annual membership forum for civic-minded leaders. Its revenue model is structurally different from a commercial enterprise: research is provided free to maximize policy impact, and sustainability depends on donor development, membership renewals, and Rice University support rather than per-unit pricing. Recent strategic moves include the launch of the Eastern Mediterranean Energy Center (June 2026), a plastics circularity partnership with the University of Houston (March 2026), and a foreign assistance task force with Columbia SIPA.
Rice University's Baker Institute for Public Policy firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Rice University's Baker Institute for Public Policy
- Legal name
- Rice University's Baker Institute for Public Policy
- Website
- https://bakerinstitute.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1993
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- The Baker Institute for Public Policy is a nonpartisan, university-affiliated think tank founded in 1993 at Rice University in Houston that conducts data-driven policy research across energy, health, foreign policy, and economics, serving policymakers, business leaders, academics, and the public through publications, podcasts, and events.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Rice University's Baker Institute for Public Policy industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Public Policy Research and Analysis
- NAICS
- National Security and International Affairs (9281), Executive, Legislative, and Other General Government Support (921)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Think Tanks, Policy Research & Public Policy Institutes (BPAGAFAO)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Policy, Regulatory & Public Affairs Research (BPAHALAF), Public Sector & Policy Consulting (BPAHACAN), Education Policy Research Institutes & Think Tanks (EDADADAA)
Keywords
Where Rice University's Baker Institute for Public Policy is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Houston
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Rice University's Baker Institute for Public Policy business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others
Revenue model
- Philanthropy and Donations: The institute is funded through philanthropy and charitable donations from individuals, corporations, and foundations. Donations support fellows and scholars, student programs, and general operations.
- Membership Program: The Baker Roundtable is a membership forum that provides exclusive events and networking opportunities for civic-minded leaders who support the institute's mission.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Baker Roundtable Membership |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
Rice University's Baker Institute for Public Policy product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Baker Institute for Public Policy is a nonpartisan, non-profit think tank that conducts data-driven research and policy analysis on domestic and foreign policy issues. It produces research publications, policy briefs, podcasts, and events through specialized centers covering energy, health, tax and budget policy, the Middle East, U.S.-Mexico relations, and science and technology policy. All research and analysis are provided free of charge to the public, supported by philanthropy and the Baker Roundtable membership program.
Product overview
Rice University's Baker Institute for Public Policy is a nonpartisan think tank that offers a portfolio of research publications, policy analysis, and public programming. Its core offerings include multiple podcast series (Baker Briefing, México Centered, Texas Briefing, The Energy Forum, The Two-Handed Economist, Child Health Advocacy + Policy), annual conferences (AI in Health Conference, Synthetic Biology symposium), and specialized centers (Center for Energy Studies, Center for Health Policy, Center for Tax and Budget Policy, Edward P. Djerejian Center for the Middle East, Claudio X. González Center for the US and Mexico). The institute also produces research publications including policy briefs, commentaries, reports, and working papers through its research library.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Baker Briefing Podcast
Quantifiable outcome
- 3,175+ research publications in the library
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Rice University's Baker Institute for Public Policy
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Rice University's Baker Institute for Public Policy technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Rice University's Baker Institute for Public Policy partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.
- United States, Cyprus, Greece, and Israel (Eastern Mediterranean Nations)flagshipRice University's Baker Institute hosted the launch of the Eastern Mediterranean Energy Center with dignitaries from the United States, Cyprus, Greece, and Israel signing an agreement to establish a cooperative framework under the Eastern Mediterranean Security and Energy Partnership Act of 2019. The initiative aims to enhance regional energy security through collaboration on natural gas development, U.S. LNG infrastructure, energy transportation networks, and technological advancement.
- University of Houston Energy Transition InstitutecoreThe University of Houston Energy Transition Institute and the Center for Energy Studies at Rice University's Baker Institute launched a strategic partnership to advance scalable solutions for plastics circularity. The collaboration aims to bridge the gap between laboratory breakthroughs and industrial application by integrating engineering research with data-driven energy policy and economics. Initial efforts focus on advanced recycling pathways, policy frameworks, and emerging technologies.
- Columbia SIPA's Institute of Global PoliticscoreColumbia SIPA's Institute of Global Politics and Rice University's Baker Institute announced a new task force on the future of foreign assistance, bringing together experts from both institutions to address critical global policy challenges.
- Rice Synthetic Biology InstituteminorThe Baker Institute's Science and Technology Policy Program partnered with Rice Synthetic Biology Institute to host the Synthetic Biology at the Intersection of Science, Ethics, and Policy symposium. The event and associated research is supported by grants from Rice's Creative Venture Fund, the George and Mary Josephine Hamman Foundation, and the National Science Foundation.
- Ken Kennedy Institute at Rice UniversityminorThe fifth annual AI in Health Conference is hosted by the Ken Kennedy Institute at Rice University with support from the Baker Institute's Science and Technology Policy program. The conference bridges the gap between artificial intelligence and real-world health outcomes.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Rice University's Baker Institute for Public Policy competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Wilson Center: Nonpartisan policy research institution (closely tied to the Smithsonian and Congress) operating multiple issue-focused programs and convening scholars and practitioners. Wilson's programmatic center structure and policy leadership programming are directly comparable to Baker's centers and Policy Leadership Program.
- Brookings Institution: The preeminent U.S. nonpartisan policy research organization, headquartered in Washington, D.C. Both are nonpartisan think tanks publishing research, hosting events, and convening policymakers across multiple policy verticals — Brookings is the most direct comparable in scale, structure, and mission.
- Hoover Institution: Stanford University-affiliated policy research institution ranked alongside Baker in the "university-affiliated think tank" category. Both combine academic research with direct policy engagement, host fellows from government and industry, and leverage their parent university's brand.
- Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS): Bipartisan, Washington-based policy research organization focused on foreign policy, defense, and energy — directly overlapping Baker's foreign policy and energy centers. CSIS's combination of podcasts, publications, and high-level convening mirrors Baker's multi-channel GTM approach.
- RAND Corporation: Major nonpartisan policy research institution producing data-driven analysis across defense, health, energy, and economics — directly overlapping Baker's research domains. Both operate multiple centers of excellence and rely on institutional credibility to attract government and philanthropic funding.
- Council on Foreign Relations (CFR): Elite nonpartisan foreign policy think tank with a membership model (similar to Baker Roundtable) that convenes leaders and publishes research. CFR's structure of councils, podcasts, and publications maps closely onto Baker's Baker Roundtable and research distribution model.
- Carnegie Endowment for International Peace: Nonpartisan international affairs think tank with global centers and a focus on foreign policy, energy, and economics — directly comparable to Baker's Edward P. Djerejian Center for the Middle East and Center for Energy Studies. Both produce publications, host events, and convene expert task forces.
- Heritage Foundation: Major Washington-based think tank producing policy research across economics, foreign policy, and domestic policy. Heritage's scale, podcast presence, and engagement with policymakers offer a benchmark for Baker's growth ambitions, though it operates from a more partisan orientation.
- Atlantic Council: Nonpartisan foreign policy think tank focused on international affairs, energy, and economics. Atlantic Council's global centers, energy program, and convening of heads of state are directly comparable to Baker's Eastern Mediterranean Energy Center and energy policy work.
- Center for a New American Security (CNAS): Nonpartisan national security and foreign policy research institution founded by former defense officials. CNAS mirrors Baker's leadership model (former government officials heading the institute) and its convening approach on foreign policy and security topics.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Rice University's Baker Institute for Public Policy social profiles
Digital presenceRice University's Baker Institute for Public Policy financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Rice University's Baker Institute for Public Policy leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles12 records
Rice University's Baker Institute for Public Policy subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries7 records
Rice University's Baker Institute for Public Policy funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Rice University's Baker Institute for Public Policy M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Rice University's Baker Institute for Public Policy
What does Rice University's Baker Institute for Public Policy do?
The Baker Institute for Public Policy is a nonpartisan, non-profit think tank that conducts data-driven research and policy analysis on domestic and foreign policy issues. It produces research publications, policy briefs, podcasts, and events through specialized centers covering energy, health, tax and budget policy, the Middle East, U.S.-Mexico relations, and science and technology policy. All research and analysis are provided free of charge to the public, supported by philanthropy and the Baker Roundtable membership program.
Is Rice University's Baker Institute for Public Policy a public or private company?
Rice University's Baker Institute for Public Policy is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Rice University's Baker Institute for Public Policy founded?
Rice University's Baker Institute for Public Policy was founded in 1993. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Rice University's Baker Institute for Public Policy based?
Rice University's Baker Institute for Public Policy is headquartered in Houston, United States, in the North America region.
How does Rice University's Baker Institute for Public Policy make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Philanthropy and Donations are the primary driver. The others are membership Program.
Who are Rice University's Baker Institute for Public Policy's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Wilson Center, Brookings Institution, Hoover Institution, Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), RAND Corporation, Council on Foreign Relations (CFR), Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, Heritage Foundation, Atlantic Council and Center for a New American Security (CNAS).
Does Rice University's Baker Institute for Public Policy have an API?
No public API is recorded for Rice University's Baker Institute for Public Policy.
What industry is Rice University's Baker Institute for Public Policy in?
Rice University's Baker Institute for Public Policy's product category is Public Policy Research and Analysis. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAFAO, Think Tanks, Policy Research & Public Policy Institutes, with a secondary code of BPAHALAF, Policy, Regulatory & Public Affairs Research. Its NAICS code is 9281.