Kazakhstan Institute for Strategic Studies

What Kazakhstan Institute for Strategic Studies does

The Kazakhstan Institute for Strategic Studies under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan (KISI/KazISS) is a state forecasting and analytical institution established by presidential decree on June 16, 1993. Headquartered in Astana (Beibitshilik Street 4) with a regional representative office in Almaty, it conducts fundamental and applied research on strategic questions of domestic and foreign policy, socio-economic development, constitutional reform, regional development, and national security. Its primary client is the Government of Kazakhstan — specifically the President, Presidential Administration, Parliament, and Cabinet — to whom it delivers forecast and analytical materials, policy recommendations, and expert reports. The institute operates a portfolio of scholarly products: two peer-reviewed scientific journals (Kazakhstan-Spectrum, ISSN 2415-8216, published since 1997, on foreign policy and international relations; and Society and Era, on political science and related fields), the KISI GPS national expert platform (Gylym, Pikir, Sayasat — Science, Opinion, Politics) for policy dialogue, a Sociological Forum on digital-age research methodology, the Expert Council on Economic Development producing recommendations on state planning and inter-budget relations, and a Young Expert Support Program to develop next-generation researchers.

KISI does not operate a commercial business model. It is funded through the state budget of the Republic of Kazakhstan and does not disclose commercial pricing, charge fees for research, or seek external investment. Distribution of its outputs occurs through direct delivery to government stakeholders, public dissemination via its journals, the kisi.kz website, social media channels, and participation in international think-tank forums and bilateral government consultations. The institute maintains partnerships and expert exchanges with research institutions in Afghanistan, Norway, Thailand, China, Russia, Mongolia, South Korea, the United States, EU member states (including Belgium), and other Central Asian countries, and engages regularly with mass media. The institution is classified as a state entity; it has no shareholders, no M&A activity, and no funding rounds. Leadership is appointed under the authority of the President of Kazakhstan, with the Director currently being Zhandos Shaimardanov (succeeding Yerkin Tukumov, appointed January 2022, who remains Harvard University's representative in Kazakhstan).

The institute employs between 51 and 100 staff, holds a Media Registration Certificate (No.16521-СИ, issued May 12, 2017), and operates an active public-facing infrastructure including a website, Facebook, X/Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube channels. Its core "technology" is policy research and analytic methodology rather than software or hardware systems; no AI/ML capabilities, proprietary software platforms, APIs, or commercial product integrations are documented.

Name

Kazakhstan Institute for Strategic Studies

Legal name

Kazakhstan Institute for Strategic Studies under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan

Website

https://kisi.kz

Company type

Private

Founded year

1993

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

The Kazakhstan Institute for Strategic Studies (KISI/KazISS) is a state forecasting and analytical institution under the President of Kazakhstan, founded 1993. It produces strategic policy research, journals, and expert recommendations for the Kazakh government and engages internationally with think tanks and foreign governments.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Policy Research and Strategic Analysis

NAICS

Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities (54172), National Security and International Affairs (928)

SIC

Services-Engineering, Accounting, Research, Management (8700), International Affairs (9721)

akta.pro primary industry

Think Tanks, Policy Research & Public Policy Institutes (BPAGAFAO)

akta.pro secondary industry

Technical Cooperation, Capacity Building & Policy Advisory Programs (BPADABAO)

Keywords

• Policy research
• Strategic forecasting
• Think tank services
• Foreign policy analysis
• Socio-economic research

Headquarters

HQ city

Astana

HQ country

Kazakhstan

HQ region

Asia

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

The Kazakhstan Institute for Strategic Studies (KISI/KazISS) is a state prognostic-analytical institution established in 1993 by presidential decree. It conducts fundamental and applied research on strategic issues of domestic and foreign policy, socio-economic development, constitutional reform, regional development, and national security, producing forecast and analytical materials for the President of Kazakhstan, Presidential Administration, Government, and Parliament.

Product overview

The Kazakhstan Institute for Strategic Studies under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan operates as a state forecasting and analytical institution established in 1993. The institute offers a portfolio of scholarly products and platforms including two peer-reviewed scientific journals (Kazakhstan-Spectrum covering foreign policy and international relations, and Society and Era covering political science), the KISI GPS expert discussion platform for analyzing national development priorities, a Sociological Forum for digital transformation research, an Expert Council on Economic Development producing policy recommendations, and a Young Expert Support Program developing next-generation researchers. The portfolio functions as a unified analytical ecosystem providing forecasts, analysis, and expert recommendations to the country's leadership.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• KISI GPS: National expert platform (алаңында) for analytical discussions, expert debates, and research dissemination on Kazakhstan's strategic development topics.

Products and services

• Kazakhstan-Spectrum (Казахстан-Спектр)
• Society and Era (Қоғам және Дәуір)
• KISI GPS (КИСИ GPS) National Expert Platform

Quantifiable outcome

• Produces analytical reports and policy recommendations regularly submitted to the President of Kazakhstan, government bodies, and parliament

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

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

• Constitutional Court of KazakhstancoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 July 2026KISI's Academic Secretary participated in a conference organized by the Constitutional Court of Kazakhstan, providing expert analysis on constitutional matters.
• Norwegian Ministry of Foreign AffairscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 July 2026Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs delegation visited KISI for bilateral consultations on foreign policy and regional cooperation.
• Embassy of Kazakhstan to the Kingdom of BelgiumcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2026KISI Director Zhandos Shaimardanov participated in the 'Shanyraq Dialogue' roundtable organized by the Kazakh Embassy in Brussels, presenting expert analysis on Kazakhstan's new Constitution to European partners including EU Special Representative for Central Asia Eduards Stiprais and European External Action Service officials.
• Atlantic Council (Eurasia Center)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 30 June 2026KISI Director Zhandos Shaimardanov held expert meetings in Washington D.C. with representatives of the Atlantic Council, RAND Corporation, Hudson Institute, and Caspian Policy Center, discussing Kazakhstan's constitutional reform and political development.
• U.S. Congressional Research Service (CRS)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 30 June 2026KISI Director met with experts from the U.S. Congressional Research Service (CRS), the nonpartisan research arm of the U.S. Congress operating under the Library of Congress, to discuss Kazakhstan's constitutional reforms.
• King Prajadhipok's Institute (KPI) under the Parliament of ThailandmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 June 2026KISI's Almaty Representative Office met with Secretary General Issara Sereewatthanawut of Thailand's King Prajadhipok's Institute. Parties discussed expert support for mutual investments, joint business projects, decentralization, water resource management, and agreed to strengthen cooperation through joint events and comparative research.
• Primakov National Research Institute of World Economy and International Relations (IMEMO RAS)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 June 2026KISI Deputy Director Dauren Aben participated in the 12th International Scientific and Expert Forum 'Primakov Readings' in Moscow under the theme 'A World Without Rules: The Power Game?' Forum brought together experts from 20 countries. Aben spoke during the strategic session 'Eurasian Security 2035'.
• Strategic Studies Center under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of AfghanistancoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 June 2026KISI Director Zhandos Shaimardanov participated online in the Afghanistan and Central Asia Think Tank Forum in Kabul. Discussions focused on cooperation among think tanks, climate and water research, academic exchanges, and regional stability. KISI expert Mukhit Assanbayev also spoke at the forum.
• Institute of Russia, Eastern Europe and Central Asia, Chinese Academy of Social SciencescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 June 2026Jointly organized the Third Kazakhstan-China Think Tank Forum in Beijing. Forum addressed trade, investment, industrial cooperation, transport connectivity, cultural and humanitarian cooperation. KISI Director Zhandos Shaimardanov delivered welcoming remarks and emphasized Kazakhstan's reform program under President Tokayev.
• Narxoz University (Almaty)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2026KISI and Narxoz University agreed to cooperate on sociological research. Both institutions jointly organized a sociological forum in Almaty on 'Sociological Research in the Digital Age: Trends and Challenges', and KISI presented new publications at the forum.
• National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of KazakhstanmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 May 2026KISI and NAN RK agreed to cooperate for creating an analytical ecosystem under the 'Science for Policy' framework. The agreement was discussed at a KISI GPS session.
• Expert Council on Economic DevelopmentcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 September 2023Created within KISI, the Expert Council on Economic Development conducts analysis and discussion of economic development aspects, producing recommendations for the Head of State, Presidential Administration, Government and other stakeholders. Topics include state planning system, inter-budget relations, regional development, and economic risks. Led by Nurlan Sakuov, Deputy Director – Head of the Center for Economic Research.
• Economic Research InstitutemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPart of the Kazakh delegation at the Third Kazakhstan-China Think Tank Forum, working on trade, investment, and economic cooperation between Kazakhstan and China.
• Center for Comparative Political Studies, Institute of Philosophy, Political Science and Religious Studies (Science Committee, Ministry of Science and Higher Education)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPart of the Kazakh delegation at the Third Kazakhstan-China Think Tank Forum.
• Astana International UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPart of the Kazakh delegation at the Third Kazakhstan-China Think Tank Forum.
• Almaty Management University (AlmaU)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPart of the Kazakh delegation at the Third Kazakhstan-China Think Tank Forum.
• Harvard UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSince June 2022, KISI Director Yerkin Tukumov serves as the Harvard University representative in Kazakhstan. This connection facilitates academic exchange and international cooperation.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• RAND Corporation: US-based policy research institution providing analytical research on security, foreign policy, and economic matters. KISI engaged RAND experts during its Washington visit, evidencing direct comparability as strategic research organizations producing analysis on international affairs and security.
• Strategic Studies Center under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Afghanistan: Afghanistan's foreign ministry-affiliated strategic research unit. KISI's Director participated in the Afghanistan and Central Asia Think Tank Forum in Kabul, evidencing parallel positioning as state-affiliated strategic research units focused on regional policy dialogue.
• Atlantic Council (Eurasia Center): US-based international affairs think tank with a dedicated Eurasia Center. KISI's Director met Atlantic Council representatives in Washington to discuss Kazakhstan's constitutional reforms, evidencing direct comparability as policy research institutions engaging on Eurasian geopolitics.
• Kazakhstan Institute of World Economy and Politics (KIEP): Kazakhstan's other leading think tank focused on international relations and world politics. Operating in the same domestic geography with overlapping mandate on international affairs and foreign policy, this is a directly comparable Kazakhstani think tank in the same product category.
• Hudson Institute: US-based policy research organization focused on foreign policy, national security, and international affairs. KISI Director engaged Hudson Institute during its Washington visit, evidencing comparability as policy think tanks operating in the international affairs space.
• Caspian Policy Center: Washington-based think tank focused on Central Asia and the Caspian region. KISI engaged CPC representatives on Kazakhstan's constitutional reforms, evidencing direct comparability as policy research organizations focused on the same Central Asian geography.
• King Prajadhipok's Institute (KPI): Thailand's parliamentary research institute conducting policy analysis and comparative governance research. KISI's Almaty office met with KPI's Secretary General to discuss comparative research and joint events, evidencing a directly comparable role as a state-affiliated parliamentary/policy research institute.
• Primakov National Research Institute of World Economy and International Relations (IMEMO RAS): Russia's flagship state-affiliated think tank on international affairs and strategic forecasting. KISI Deputy Director Dauren Aben actively participated in IMEMO's 'Primakov Readings' forum, evidencing direct comparability as state-backed strategic research institutes producing international-relations analysis.
• Institute of Russia, Eastern Europe and Central Asia, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS): Chinese state-affiliated think tank focused on Eurasian and Central Asian policy research. KISI co-organized the Third Kazakhstan-China Think Tank Forum with CASS, evidencing parallel roles as state-mandated institutions conducting regional strategic research and bilateral policy dialogue.
• Norwegian Institute of International Affairs (NUPI): Norwegian government-affiliated research institute on international relations. KISI hosted the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs delegation for bilateral consultations, evidencing comparability as state-supported international affairs research institutes engaging on regional cooperation.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/KAZ_ISS
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCbD2nyLRv3ePn1VVsOD80EA/featured
• Facebookfacebook.com/kisi.kz
• Instagraminstagram.com/kisi_kz
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/kaziss-under-the-president-of-the-rk

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Subsidiaries5 records

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 Kazakhstan Institute for Strategic Studies