University of Arizona Udall Center

What University of Arizona Udall Center does

The Udall Center for Studies in Public Policy is an academic research center within the University of Arizona in Tucson, founded in 1990 and named after Arizona Congressman Morris K. "Mo" Udall. It conducts applied, interdisciplinary research and outreach on public policy topics spanning environmental policy, Indigenous/tribal governance, water resources, border studies, public health, and energy transitions. Its core technology consists of collaborative governance frameworks, multi-level governance analysis, environmental federalism studies, and transboundary water cooperation methodologies, organized around a portfolio of named programs and labs including the Udall Center Fellows Program (faculty research fellowships, 37 consecutive cohorts since 1990), Mo's Policy Scholars (15-week paid undergraduate mentorship with $1,500 stipends), the RIPPLES Lab (PFAS and novel pollutant governance), the Native Nations Institute (Indigenous governance services), the Indigenous Governance Program, the Colorado River Governance Program, the Center for Climate Adaptation Science and Solutions, and AQUASEC (Center of Excellence for Water Security spanning 12+ river basins in the Americas). The center also maintains a curated Indigenous Governance Database of 1,600+ resources and a Constitutions Resource Center.

The center's "customers" are not commercial buyers but rather a hybrid set of constituencies: University of Arizona tenure-track faculty (who apply for protected research time via the Fellows Program), U of A undergraduate students (Mo's Policy Scholars), 22 federally recognized tribes in Arizona plus Indigenous communities nationally (constitutional reform, institution-building, strategic planning, economic development via the Native Nations Institute), federal agencies (US DOE, USDA, ADHS, EPA-adjacent), state and local agencies (Arizona Department of Environmental Quality, Tucson Water), and international research collaborators. It does not sell commercial products and charges no fees for its research, fellowships, or public outreach.

The business model is a non-profit academic research funding stack rather than commercial revenue: (1) a permanent congressionally-defined annual funding mechanism through the Udall Foundation (federal agency) established in 1995; (2) competitive research grants from federal agencies including the US Department of Energy (multi-year SW-IFL), US Department of Agriculture (agrivoltaics), and university internal grants such as Technology and Research Initiative Fund awards (e.g., $99,892 for STEM mentoring); (3) fee-for-service technical assistance to Native nations on governance matters; and (4) institutional support from the University of Arizona. The center is governed as part of a public university under The Arizona Board of Regents, with no independent ownership, external shareholders, venture capital, or private equity exposure.

Name

University of Arizona Udall Center

Legal name

Udall Center for Studies in Public Policy

Website

https://udallcenter.arizona.edu

Company type

Private

Founded year

1990

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Udall Center is a University of Arizona academic research center founded in 1990 that conducts applied public policy research on environmental policy, Indigenous governance, water security, and emerging pollutants (notably PFAS), serving faculty, students, federal/state agencies, and Native nations through fellowship, research, and consulting programs supported by congressional and federal grant funding.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Policy Research

NAICS

Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities (54172), Environmental Consulting Services (54162), American Indian and Alaska Native Tribal Governments (921150), American Indian and Alaska Native Tribal Governments (92115)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Services-Management Consulting Services (8742)

akta.pro primary industry

Public Research Universities with Major Extension & Outreach Missions (EDAHAAAG)

Keywords

• Public policy research
• Environmental policy studies
• Indigenous governance
• Water security research
• Tribal policy consulting

Headquarters

HQ city

Tucson

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Congressional/Federal Funding Mechanism: Since 1995, the Udall Center has maintained a relationship with the Udall Foundation (a federal agency) that includes provisions for a permanent annual funding mechanism. This congressionally-defined relationship provides major financial support for programs.
2. Research Grants and Sponsored Programs: The center receives external funding through competitive grants from federal agencies including the US Department of Energy, US Department of Agriculture, and university internal grants such as the Technology and Research Initiative Fund ($99,892 awarded for STEM mentoring).
3. Fee-for-Service Services to Native Nations: The Native Nations Institute provides specialized services to Native nations, organizations, and communities on a fee-for-service basis including constitutional reform, institution-building, strategic planning, and economic development.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Udall Center for Studies in Public Policy conducts applied research and outreach on public policy topics including environmental policy, tribal governance, water resources, border studies, and public health. It operates faculty fellowships, undergraduate mentorship programs, specialized research labs (RIPPLES, AQUASEC), and provides fee-for-service technical assistance to Native nations on constitutional reform, institution-building, strategic planning, and economic development.

Product overview

The Udall Center for Studies in Public Policy is a research center at the University of Arizona offering a portfolio of interconnected programs focused on environmental policy, Indigenous governance, and water security. The core programs include the Udall Center Fellows Program (providing faculty research fellowships), Mo's Policy Scholars (undergraduate mentorship), RIPPLES Lab (PFAS/pollutant policy research), and the Native Nations Institute (Indigenous governance support). These programs are supported by specialized initiatives including the Indigenous Governance Program, Center for Climate Adaptation Science and Solutions, and AQUASEC (water security). The center operates as a collaborative research organization rather than a commercial product company.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Mo's Policy Scholars: A competitive 15-week paid mentorship program for University of Arizona juniors and seniors interested in environmental policy and Indigenous governance, inspired by Morris K. 'Mo' Udall's legacy.
• RIPPLES Lab
• Environmental Policy Program (EPP)
• Native Nations Institute (NNI)
• AQUASEC

Products and services

• Udall Center Fellows Program A competitive fellowship program providing University of Arizona faculty with dedicated time (semester teaching relief or additional resources) to engage in research projects related to public policy, supporting high-quality scholarly work across diverse disciplines. Currently in its 37th cohort (2026-27).
• Mo's Policy Scholars A competitive 15-week paid mentorship program for U of A juniors and seniors, pairing undergraduate students with faculty mentors to gain hands-on experience working on environmental policy and Indigenous governance research projects. Selected students receive a $1,500 stipend for approximately 5 hours per week of research assistant work.
• RIPPLES Lab (Research in Pollutant Policy for Environment and Society) An interdisciplinary research lab focused on understanding and improving governance responses to PFAS ('forever chemicals') and other novel pollutants at local, state, federal, and international levels. Examines themes of fragmented authority, unequal impacts, and political polarization in chemical governance.
• Native Nations Institute (NNI) An affiliated institute providing research and policy analysis, tribal direct services, education and professional development, and digital resources including the Indigenous Governance Database for Native nations and Indigenous communities. Offers fee-for-service technical assistance on constitutional reform, institution-building, strategic planning, and economic development.
• Indigenous Governance Program (IGP) A collaborative program with the James E. Rogers College of Law offering professional development, leadership training, and graduate education in Indigenous governance, law and policy, including a Master of Professional Studies and Graduate Certificate.
• Center for Climate Adaptation Science and Solutions (CCASS) A collaborative program partnered with the Arizona Institute for Resilience that brings together University of Arizona expertise to support climate adaptation decision-making by linking science, manager information needs, and policy.
• AQUASEC - Center of Excellence for Water Security A virtual 'umbrella center' grouping international projects, people and institutions to study water security in arid regions of the Americas, with objectives around promoting adaptive management, developing science-policy networks, and creating research-based knowledge for water security challenges. Studies water security across multiple river basins in the Americas (US, Mexico, Chile, Peru, Argentina, Brazil).
• Environmental Policy Program The center's mandate program engaging in applied research and outreach on public-policy topics relating to environmental policy, tribal governance, water resources, and related areas.
• Colorado River Governance Program Research program monitoring the health of the Colorado River and the policies governing how the river's water resources are managed and distributed to international stakeholders.
• Indigenous Governance Database A curated digital library providing over 1,600 resources on Indigenous governance, including materials for tribal leaders, scholars, and policymakers.

Quantifiable outcome

• 184 faculty fellows supported since 1990
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Udall FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1995Congressional relationship with federal agency including permanent annual funding mechanism. Foundation has been instrumental in supporting Udall Center programs and is co-creator with the University of the Native Nations Institute.
• Native Nations Institute (NNI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-created by the Udall Foundation and University of Arizona. Provides Indigenous governance research, policy analysis, tribal services, education programs, and digital resources to Native nations.
• BIO5 InstitutemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for 2026-27 Udall Center Fellows Program, offering specialized track for biosciences and public policy research involving public policy dimension.
• Arizona Institute for Resilience (AIR)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for Environment and Public Policy Research track in the Udall Center Fellows Program for 2026-27 academic year.
• College of Social and Behavioral Sciences (SBS)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for Social Sciences and Public Policy track and ongoing support for Udall Center Fellows Program.
• Office of Research and Partnerships (ORP)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for General Public Policy Research track in the Udall Center Fellows Program and organizational support.
• College of Agriculture, Life and Environmental Sciences (CALES)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for Udall Center Fellows Program supporting research in agricultural, environmental, and life sciences policy.
• Office of Research Institute of the Chief AI Officer (CAIO)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for new AI and Public Policy track in the 2026-27 Udall Center Fellows Program - first year featuring AI-focused research track.
• CommunitySharemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNonprofit partner for STEM mentoring program. Uses digital platform as 'human library' to match subject matter experts (Community Partners) with local educators. Collaborated on tiered peer mentoring program for middle school students.
• Lauffer Middle SchoolmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner school in Sunnyside School District for STEM peer mentoring program. Students participate in Future City competition and community-based environmental projects.
• Biosphere 2majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partner for Yuanyuan Kay He's sonic ecologies project, collecting environmental soundscapes and data at Biosphere 2 research sites.
• Sonoran InstitutemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Sonic Ecologies of the Sonoran Desert project, providing research site access and environmental data.
• UNESCO, FAO, and GEFmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational organizations for which Robert Varady has served as consultant on water-related efforts. Led evaluation of UNESCO's World Water Assessment Program.
• North American Development Bank (NADBank)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUdall Center manages the NADBanknet mailing list providing information on NADB/BECC activities and U.S.-Mexico border environment.
• Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUdall Center manages CECnet mailing list providing information on CEC activities and North American transboundary environment.
• James E. Rogers College of Law Indigenous Peoples Law & Policy ProgramcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration partner for Indigenous Governance Program providing professional development, leadership training, and graduate education in Indigenous governance, law & policy.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Resources for the Future: An independent, nonpartisan research institution focused on environmental, energy, and natural resource economics and policy. Highly comparable to the Udall Center's Environmental Policy Program and AQUASEC — both apply rigorous academic research to inform real-world policy decisions on water, climate, and energy transitions.
• World Resources Institute: Global research organization working at the intersection of environment and development, producing data-driven research on climate, water, food, and cities. Comparable to Udall Center's AQUASEC and RIPPLES Lab in applying scientific research to global water governance and environmental policy.
• Environmental Law Institute: A nonpartisan research and education center working at the intersection of law, policy, and environmental science. Comparable to Udall Center's work on environmental federalism, PFAS governance (RIPPLES Lab), and policy scholarship bridging research and legal/regulatory frameworks.
• Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment: Stanford's hub for interdisciplinary environmental research, convening faculty across natural sciences, social sciences, and policy. Highly comparable to the Udall Center Fellows Program model of providing protected research time for university scholars doing policy-relevant work.
• Western Water Assessment at CU Boulder: A NOAA-funded university research collaboration providing climate and water-resource information for the Intermountain West. Directly comparable to Udall Center's Colorado River Governance Program and AQUASEC work on arid-region water security and transboundary cooperation.
• Nicholas Institute for Energy, Environment & Sustainability at Duke: Duke University's policy-engaged research institute tackling energy, climate, and environmental challenges. Comparable to Udall Center in translating university scholarship into actionable policy for federal and state agencies and convening practitioners across the energy-water-land nexus.
• ASU Global Institute of Sustainability and Innovation: Arizona State University's sustainability research hub, operating within another large public university. Closest geographic and institutional peer — bridges academic research with state-level environmental policy and community engagement in the same Southwest region as the Udall Center.

Broad incumbents

• RAND Corporation: Large, established policy research institution covering defense, health, education, and the environment. Less specialized in arid-region environmental policy and tribal governance than the Udall Center, but a major institutional comparator for university-affiliated policy research operating across federal agencies.
• Brookings Institution: A leading broad-spectrum public policy think tank in Washington, D.C. While not focused on arid-environment or tribal governance specifically, Brookings is a comparable convener of scholars and a major producer of policy-relevant research the Udall Center's model of research-to-policy translation aspires to.
• Urban Institute: A nonpartisan research organization delivering evidence-based insights on social and economic policy. Comparable to Udall Center's research-to-public-service orientation but operating at greater scale and across different policy domains (housing, health, inequality vs. arid-region environment and tribal governance).

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/udallcenter
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCcA4Rfigi7_Nq-wz3yk921w/featured
• Facebookfacebook.com/udallcenter
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/uofa-udall-center
• Instagraminstagram.com/udallcenter

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Subsidiaries4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about University of Arizona Udall Center