James A. Baker III Institute for Public Policy

Rice University's Baker Institute for Public Policy

Secretary Kerry walks with Rice University historian Brinkley across Rice's campus in Houston
Formation	1993; 31 years ago (1993)
Type	Public policy think tank
Location	Rice University, Houston, Texas, U.S.
Director	David M. Satterfield
Budget	$6.76 million (2012)[1]
Website	bakerinstitute.org

Rice University's Baker Institute for Public Policy (formerly known as the James A. Baker III Institute for Public Policy) is an American think tank housed on the campus of Rice University in Houston, Texas. Founded in 1993, it functions as a center for public policy research. It is named for James A. Baker, III, former United States secretary of state, secretary of the treasury, and White House chief of staff. It is directed by Ambassador David M. Satterfield and funded mainly by donor contributions, endowments, and research grants.^[2][3]

The institute employs scholars and researchers from a variety of backgrounds. Its current research includes centers for different areas: the Center for Energy Studies, the Center for Health and Biosciences, the Center for the Middle East, the Center for Public Finance, the McNair Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, and the Center for the U.S. and Mexico. The institute also houses programs on biomedical research, China studies, U.S. health systems transformation, drug policy, global health, international economics, Latin America, presidential elections, religion and public policy, science and technology, space, and the rights of women and refugees. The University of Pennsylvania's Think Tanks and Civil Societies Program ranked the Baker Institute No. 1 among university-affiliated think tanks in 2020.^[4]

In addition to its research, the institute offers programs for undergraduate and graduate students to engage with the world of policy and organizes events in which political, diplomatic, and community leaders speak on Rice's campus.