Danish Institute for International Studies
DIIS is an independent, publicly funded Danish research institute in Copenhagen that conducts social science research on international affairs, delivering open-access policy briefs, reports, and the Danish Foreign Policy Review to Danish and international policymakers, academics, and the public.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2013
- HeadquartersCopenhagen, Denmark
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Danish Institute for International Studies does
Danish Institute for International Studies (DIIS) is an independent, publicly funded research institute headquartered in Copenhagen, Denmark, that conducts social science research and policy analysis on international affairs. The institute was established in its current form in 2013 when the former Dansk Center for Internationale Studier og Menneskerettigheder (DCISM) was split into DIIS and Institut for Menneskerettigheder; its intellectual lineage traces back to the Copenhagen Peace Research Institute (COPRI, 1985-2003), where the securitization/desecuritization framework originated. DIIS organizes research around thematic areas including defense and security, foreign policy, development, peace and conflict, migration, global economy, and natural resources and climate, with dedicated research centers for Peace Research and Ukraine Research, plus an annual defense and security studies program (FSPS) developed in consultation with the Danish Ministry of Defence.
DIIS delivers a portfolio of research publications, including Policy Briefs, Reports, Working Papers, Comments, podcasts, and the annual Danish Foreign Policy Review, distributed through its main website (diis.dk) and a dedicated Research Portal powered by the Elsevier/Pure platform. The institute maintains a multi-channel dissemination strategy including a weekly newsletter, podcasts, YouTube, LinkedIn, and Bluesky, alongside traditional media engagement. Outputs are published open access and do not carry commercial pricing.
DIIS is a non-profit, privately organized research institution financed primarily by the Danish state through the Danish Research Council and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, with project-level competitive grant funding supplementing core appropriations. The Center for Peace Research receives dedicated funding from the Research Reserve under the Research and Innovation Agreement 2026-2029. The institute serves Danish and international government agencies, ministries, and policymakers needing evidence-based analysis on international affairs, as well as academic researchers, students, and the broader public through media engagement. Strategic collaborations are maintained with the Kyiv School of Economics (KSE), Nordic peer institutes (SIPRI, PRIO, TAPRI), and academic partners including Harvard, Oxford, and Sciences Po CERI.
Danish Institute for International Studies firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Danish Institute for International Studies
- Legal name
- Dansk Institut for Internationale Studier
- Website
- https://diis.dk
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2013
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- DIIS is an independent, publicly funded Danish research institute in Copenhagen that conducts social science research on international affairs, delivering open-access policy briefs, reports, and the Danish Foreign Policy Review to Danish and international policymakers, academics, and the public.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Danish Institute for International Studies industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Policy Research and International Affairs Analysis
- NAICS
- Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities (54172), International Affairs (92812)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Economic Research, Statistics & Policy Advisory (BPADAMAJ)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Security Sector Reform (SSR) & Defense Institution Building (BPADAFAE), Humanitarian-Development-Peace Nexus & Resilience Programming (BPADAEAK), Democracy, Human Rights & Governance Assistance (BPADABAG)
Keywords
Where Danish Institute for International Studies is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Copenhagen
- HQ country
- Denmark
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Danish Institute for International Studies business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Government Research Funding: DIIS is a Danish government-funded research institute that receives core funding from the Danish state, particularly through agreements with the Danish Research Council and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Additional project funding comes from competitive research grants.
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels8 records
Danish Institute for International Studies product offering
Product offeringCore offering
DIIS conducts independent social science research and produces policy-relevant analysis on international affairs, including defense and security, foreign policy, development, peace and conflict, migration, global economy, and natural resources/climate. Its core outputs are publication series (Policy Briefs, Reports, Working Papers, Comments, Podcasts, and the annual Danish Foreign Policy Review), specialized research centers, and the FSPS defense and security studies program, all distributed freely to policymakers, academics, and the public.
Product overview
DIIS operates as a unified research institute offering a portfolio of research publications and specialized research centers. The core products include various publication series (Policy Briefs, Reports, Working Papers, Comments, Podcasts, and the annual Danish Foreign Policy Review) distributed through the DIIS Research Portal. Additionally, DIIS maintains dedicated research centers including the Center for Peace Research (focused on arms control, multilateralism, conflict resolution) and the Center for Ukraine Research (examining Ukraine's reconstruction and development). The Forsvars- og sikkerhedspolitiske studier (FSPS) program provides annual defense and security policy studies. This is a single institutional research platform rather than a modular software product architecture.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- DIIS Policy Briefs Short analytical briefs providing policy recommendations and research insights on international affairs topics, intended for policymakers and the public.
- DIIS Reports Comprehensive research reports covering topics in defense, security, foreign policy, development, and international studies.
- DIIS Working Papers Academic working papers presenting research findings and methodological approaches to international studies for scholarly audiences.
- DIIS Comments Short commentary pieces offering expert analysis on current international events and policy developments.
- DIIS Podcasts Audio content featuring expert discussions and interviews on international affairs topics, distributed as a podcast series.
- Danish Foreign Policy Review Annual comprehensive review of Danish foreign policy developments and strategic priorities.
- DIIS Research Portal Online portal providing access to academic publications, researcher profiles, and research activities, powered by the Elsevier/Pure platform.
- Forsvars- og sikkerhedspolitiske studier (FSPS) Annual defense and security policy studies program developed in consultation with the Danish Ministry of Defence, covering EU strategic autonomy, Arctic security, the war in Ukraine, and hybrid threats.
- DIIS Center for fredsforskning (Center for Peace Research) Research center focused on peace research covering arms control, multilateralism, and conflict resolution, established with funding from the Research Reserve for 2026-2029.
- DIIS Center for Ukraineforskning (Center for Ukraine Research) Research center examining Ukraine's reconstruction, political, economic, and security dynamics, with focus on reconstruction financing, governance, civil society, and democratic inclusion.
Companies that use Danish Institute for International Studies
Customer profileSegments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Danish Institute for International Studies technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Danish Institute for International Studies partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.
- Kyiv School of Economics (KSE)coreDIIS Center for Ukraine Research collaborates closely with KSE, particularly with the Sanctions Hub of Excellence at KSE Institute, on policy-oriented research in economic sanctions against Russia, joint research activities, knowledge exchange, and hosting of KSE researchers.
- SIPRI (Stockholm International Peace Research Institute)supportingNordic peace research institute collaboration as part of the broader Nordic peace research network. SIPRI is known for annual military expenditure reports and serves as a peer institution for knowledge exchange.
- PRIO (Peace Research Institute Oslo)supportingNorwegian peace research institute collaboration. PRIO developed into a strong research environment and publishes the Journal of Peace Research.
- TAPRI (Tampere Peace Research Institute)supportingFinnish peace research institute collaboration as part of the Nordic peace research network. The Finnish institute has focused on post-conflict reconciliation and transitional justice.
- Copenhagen Peace Research Institute (COPRI)supportingHistorical predecessor institution (1985-2003) where the internationally recognized theory of securitization/desecuritization originated. While COPRI was dissolved in 2003, its intellectual legacy informs current Danish peace research efforts at DIIS.
- Harvard UniversitysupportingAcademic collaboration on Borderwork research project focusing on migration studies in West Africa, with Professor Michael Jackson from Harvard Divinity School serving as academic advisor.
- University of OxfordsupportingAcademic partnership in Borderwork project with Professor Ruben Andersson from Oxford's Queen Elizabeth House providing expert guidance on border studies.
- Sciences Po (International Research Center - CERI)supportingAcademic collaboration with Research Director Luis Martinez on West African migration and border governance research.
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights10 records
Danish Institute for International Studies competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Chatham House (Royal Institute of International Affairs): UK-based international affairs research institute. Similar mandate on independent analysis of international issues, though operating with broader funding sources including memberships and endowments rather than single-government funding.
- NUPI (Norwegian Institute of International Affairs): Norwegian government-funded research institute covering foreign policy, security, development, and global economy. Closely matches DIIS in scope, funding model, and Nordic policy advisory role.
- SIPRI (Stockholm International Peace Research Institute): Swedish government-funded research institute focused on peace, arms control, and security. DIIS explicitly collaborates with SIPRI through the Nordic peace research network and shares overlapping scope on conflict, military expenditure, and security analysis.
- SWP (German Institute for International and Security Affairs): German government-funded research institute advising the Bundestag and federal government on international affairs. Closely matches DIIS in funding model, policy advisory mandate, and research scope on security, foreign policy, and development.
- PRIO (Peace Research Institute Oslo): Norwegian research institute conducting peace and conflict research, publisher of the Journal of Peace Research. Directly comparable in mandate, Nordic government funding model, and research scope on armed conflict and peacebuilding.
- IFRI (French Institute of International Relations): French think tank on international and strategic issues. Comparable in conducting independent policy-oriented research on foreign policy, security, and international economics, though operating on a hybrid public-private funding model.
- FIIA (Finnish Institute of International Affairs): Finnish government-funded research institute conducting international affairs research. Directly comparable Nordic peer with similar funding structure, policy advisory function, and research portfolio on defense, foreign policy, and security.
- IISS (International Institute for Strategic Studies): UK-based institute focused on defence and security analysis. Highly comparable on the defence, arms control, and strategic studies aspects of DIIS's FSPS program and Center for Peace Research.
- Clingendael Institute: Dutch institute for international relations providing policy analysis and diplomatic training. Comparable European policy research institute with government-aligned funding and overlapping coverage of defense, security, and foreign policy.
Broad incumbents
- ECFR (European Council on Foreign Relations): Pan-European think tank with offices across multiple EU countries. Overlaps with DIIS on European foreign policy and security analysis but operates with broader pan-European scope and pan-European funding base.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Danish Institute for International Studies social profiles
Digital presenceDanish Institute for International Studies financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Danish Institute for International Studies leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles16 records
Danish Institute for International Studies subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries4 records
Danish Institute for International Studies funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Danish Institute for International Studies 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 Danish Institute for International Studies
What does Danish Institute for International Studies do?
DIIS conducts independent social science research and produces policy-relevant analysis on international affairs, including defense and security, foreign policy, development, peace and conflict, migration, global economy, and natural resources/climate. Its core outputs are publication series (Policy Briefs, Reports, Working Papers, Comments, Podcasts, and the annual Danish Foreign Policy Review), specialized research centers, and the FSPS defense and security studies program, all distributed freely to policymakers, academics, and the public.
Is Danish Institute for International Studies a public or private company?
Danish Institute for International Studies is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was Danish Institute for International Studies founded?
Danish Institute for International Studies was founded in 2013. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Danish Institute for International Studies based?
Danish Institute for International Studies is headquartered in Copenhagen, Denmark, in the Europe region.
How does Danish Institute for International Studies make money?
One revenue line is on record: government Research Funding.
Who are Danish Institute for International Studies's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Chatham House (Royal Institute of International Affairs), NUPI (Norwegian Institute of International Affairs), SIPRI (Stockholm International Peace Research Institute), SWP (German Institute for International and Security Affairs), PRIO (Peace Research Institute Oslo), IFRI (French Institute of International Relations), FIIA (Finnish Institute of International Affairs), IISS (International Institute for Strategic Studies) and Clingendael Institute. ECFR (European Council on Foreign Relations) is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does Danish Institute for International Studies have an API?
No public API is recorded for Danish Institute for International Studies.
What industry is Danish Institute for International Studies in?
Danish Institute for International Studies's product category is Policy Research and International Affairs Analysis. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPADAMAJ, Economic Research, Statistics & Policy Advisory, with a secondary code of BPADAFAE, Security Sector Reform (SSR) & Defense Institution Building. Its NAICS code is 54172.