Institute for International Trade | University of Adelaide

What Institute for International Trade | University of Adelaide does

The Institute for International Trade (IIT) is a research and policy advisory institute established in 2009 and housed within Adelaide University in South Australia, Australia. It conducts applied, multidisciplinary research and policy advice for government and business clients on international trade rules, regional trade agreements (notably RCEP and AANZFTA), trade-related climate measures, green value chains, and supply chain resilience. The institute also delivers education and capacity-building offerings, including Masters and research degree programs, tailored training programs, and a range of knowledge products (policy briefs, opinion pieces, podcasts, and a regular newsletter).

The institute's core technology and intellectual platform is a multidisciplinary research capability structured around three pillars: Southeast Asia trade research, trade and environment (anchored by the European Commission co-funded Centre of Excellence in Trade and Environment via Erasmus+), and the evolving trade system (including geoeconomic and digital supply chain shock analysis). It does not develop software, SaaS, or AI/ML products; its outputs are research publications, policy briefs, training curricula, and direct advisory engagements.

IIT's business model is grant- and tuition-supported rather than commercial. Revenue is generated through commissioned research and policy advisory work, fees from tailored training and Masters/research programs, and direct program funding from the European Commission (Erasmus+) and the Jean Monnet Network. Pricing is not publicly disclosed; services are quoted on application. As a non-profit unit of a public university, IIT has no independent ownership, no funding rounds, and no venture or private equity backing, with governance and resourcing flowing from Adelaide University.

Name

Institute for International Trade | University of Adelaide

Legal name

Institute for International Trade

Website

https://iit.adelaide.edu.au

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Trade Policy Research and Advisory

NAICS

Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services (5416), International Affairs (928120)

SIC

International Affairs (9721), Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Management Consulting Services (8742)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYBPADAMAJ

Economic Research, Statistics & Policy Advisory

Business & Public Services/International Organizations & Development/International Trade & Economic Development

SECONDARYEDAHABAI

International & Global Research Universities (Multi-Campus/International Footprint)

Education/Higher Education (Colleges & Universities)/Private Research Universities

SECONDARYBPADAAAC

International Economic & Trade Cooperation Organizations

Business & Public Services/International Organizations & Development/Multilateral & Intergovernmental Organizations

SECONDARYBPAIAIAG

Development Cooperation & Foreign Aid Administration

Business & Public Services/Public Sector & Government Administration/Foreign Affairs & Diplomatic Services

SECONDARYBPAHAHAG

Global Trade & Customs / Trade Compliance

Business & Public Services/Professional Services (Legal, Accounting, Consulting)/Operations & Supply Chain Consulting

Keywords

• International trade policy
• Trade policy research
• Policy advisory services
• Capacity building programs
• Trade education programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Adelaide

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Research and Policy Advisory Services: The institute generates revenue through commissioned research projects, policy advisory services, and capacity building programs for governments and businesses.
2. Education Programs: Revenue from tailored training programs, Masters programs, and research degree programs.
3. European Commission Funding: Co-funding from the European Commission through the Erasmus+ program for the Centre of Excellence in Trade and Environment.
4. Jean Monnet Network Funding: Funding from the Jean Monket Network for teaching and research on EU policies.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The Institute for International Trade delivers applied research, policy advisory services, and capacity building programmes on international trade to governments and businesses. Its offerings span commissioned research projects, Masters and research degree programmes, and tailored training programmes, supported by specialised expertise in Southeast Asian trade frameworks, trade-environment intersections, and regional trade agreement evaluation (RCEP, AANZFTA). The institute also hosts the Centre of Excellence in Trade and Environment, co-funded by the European Commission through Erasmus+, and is supported by the Jean Monnet Network for EU policy research.

Product overview

The Institute for International Trade is a research institute offering applied research, policy advice, and capacity building on international trade. The portfolio comprises Masters and research programs, tailored training programs, and various knowledge products (policy briefs, newsletters, podcasts, and opinion pieces). The institute also houses the Centre of Excellence in Trade and Environment, co-funded by the European Commission. Its research capabilities span three pillars: Southeast Asia, trade and environment, and the evolving trade system.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Centre of Excellence in Trade and Environment: Co-funded by the European Commission through its Erasmus+ program. Focuses on trade and environment research.

Products and services

• Applied Research and Policy Advisory Services Multidisciplinary applied research and policy advisory services helping governments and businesses navigate trade rules, agreements, and supply chains to expand sustainable trade and investment opportunities.
• Masters and Research Programs Graduate-level academic programs combining focused teaching with interactive, contextualised experiences in international trade, delivered through Adelaide University.
• Tailored Training Programs Customised interactive learning programs connecting organisations with government, business, and global networks to achieve real-world outcomes in trade policy.
• Centre of Excellence in Trade and Environment Research centre co-funded by the European Commission through the Erasmus+ programme, focusing on the intersection of trade and environmental policy, climate measures mapping, and green value chains analysis.

Quantifiable outcome

• Research spanning Asia Pacific, Southeast Asia, Europe, and Africa
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• International Trade Centre (ITC): Joint UN/WTO agency providing trade-related capacity building, research, and advisory services to developing economies and SMEs — directly comparable mandate in trade capacity building but with much greater resources and global footprint.
• Peterson Institute for International Economics (PIIE): Washington DC-based, well-resourced research institute producing influential analysis on international trade, investment, and macroeconomics — a much larger incumbent operating in the same trade-policy advisory space as IIT.
• Brookings Institution: Major US policy research organisation with a substantial international economics and trade programme producing influential policy briefs and convening global dialogue — broader incumbent operating in IIT's policy advisory space.

Regional players

• Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Policy Support Unit (APEC PSU): APEC's in-house policy research arm producing analysis and advisory work on regional trade and economic integration in the Asia-Pacific — directly comparable specialisation on RCEP-relevant APAC trade frameworks.
• Lowy Institute: Australia's leading international affairs think tank producing independent research on trade, foreign policy, and the Asia-Pacific — directly comparable Australian-based policy research mission with regional (not global) reach.

Direct peers

• ANU Crawford School of Public Policy: Australian National University's public policy school with strong Asia-Pacific trade, development, and international economics research and teaching programmes — comparable university-based applied research and postgraduate training mission.
• World Trade Institute (University of Bern): University-based academic institute focused on international trade law, policy, and economics, offering Masters programmes, tailored executive training, and applied research for governments and international organisations — closest direct comparable to IIT.
• European Centre for International Political Economy (ECIPE): Brussels-based trade and international economic policy think tank producing policy-oriented research, briefs, and advisory work for governments and businesses — directly comparable mission and product mix to IIT's applied research and policy advice.
• International Centre for Trade and Sustainable Development (ICTSD): International think tank focused on the intersection of trade policy and sustainable development, producing policy briefs and convening multi-stakeholder dialogues — strong overlap with IIT's trade-and-environment Centre of Excellence work.
• Overseas Development Institute (ODI): UK-based global affairs think tank delivering policy research, advisory, and capacity building for developing economies — directly comparable applied research and developing-economy capacity-building mandate.

Market position

Strengths2 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@AdelaideUniAustralia
• Facebookfacebook.com/adelaideuni
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/institute-for-international-trade-university-of-adelaide
• Instagraminstagram.com/adelaideuni
• TikToktiktok.com/@adelaideuni

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Institute for International Trade | University of Adelaide