Dear OTT Community,
The global think tank space is shaken — facing funding gaps, policy shifts, and uncertainty over forums like the T20. Beyond funding, we’re likely to see tighter - and are already witnessing- controls on research, increased scrutiny on foreign funding, and growing pressure on critical voices. How do you think think tanks and funders will adapt?
This calls for private policy research funders to rethink their role. Research and evaluation alone will not do—in Do evaluations really inform policy? I find out: not much.
In response, we are refocusing our mission in 2025 by supporting:
Think tanks to deliver smarter strategies, stronger impact and sustainable organisations.
Policy research funders to maximise their impact and fund with confidence.
Think Tank leaders advisory service to navigate complex times
In this new article, I have also compiled strategies and actions that think tanks and their funders can follow in response to the rise of increasingly authoritarian regimes.
In the meantime, we are preparing for the following upcoming events: OTT Conference 2025, bringing the global policy research community together in South Africa and equipping the next generation of think tank leaders through the 2026 School for Thinktankers, with applications now open!
Thank you for following us!
Until next month,
Enrique Mendizabal
OTT Founder & Director
OTT Consulting: Work with us
Supporting Think Tanks
New: Advisory programme for think tank leaders
Leading a think tank is both a privilege and a challenge, requiring a balance of research excellence, financial sustainability, policy influence, and team leadership amid shifting political and funding landscapes. Our one-on-one advisory program offers flexible, structured support to help leaders find the right people, knowledge, and resources while gaining insights from peers, practical advice, curated learning, and access to an exclusive network.
Think tank transparency
On February 18, a key discussion explored how funding shapes the work and influence of foreign policy think tanks, sparked by the Quincy Institute’s Think Tank Funding Tracker. With $1.5 billion from the U.S. government, $110 million from foreign governments, and $35 million from Pentagon contractors flowing into top U.S. think tanks, concerns about transparency and accountability in policymaking are growing. Over the past decade, On Think Tanks has examined this complex relationship through its Think Tanks and Transparency series, exploring how think tanks balance openness with intellectual independence.
Supporting Funders
The USAID funding freeze highlights the fragility of African institutions' reliance on Northern funding, raising urgent calls to shift power to local funders. Beyond immediate project stalls and financial gaps, the long-term risks—like a weakened research ecosystem and ongoing dependency—are even more concerning. OTT is fostering a coalition of funders committed to aligning support with local priorities and strengthening the resilience of policy research systems.
Find out more about the African Education Research Funding Consortium.
Big shifts in U.S. foreign aid—who fills the gap?
Our latest Global Research Insights newsletter breaks down Trump’s funding shake-up—here are three must-read takes:
- Which countries are most exposed? (CGD) – Some nations could lose over 3% of their GNI overnight—can Germany, Canada, and Japan step up?
- Could the U.S. pull out of the World Bank? (Devex) – Unlikely, but not impossible—and even the speculation is shaking multilateral finance.
- Philanthropy’s role in the aid crisis (Kellea Miller) – As governments slash budgets, major funders face a choice: retreat or step up to protect civil society and human rights.
OTT Blogs: Featured content
As the world turns authoritarian: Strategies for think tanks and their funders, by Enrique Mendizabal
As authoritarianism rises, think tanks must balance survival, impact, and ethics. How can they navigate restrictions while still shaping policy?
Do evaluations really inform policy? by Enrique Mendizabal
Roughly $3 billion has been spent on impact evaluations and systematic reviews (3ie, 2020). But are they truly shaping policy worldwide?
Think tanks & political challenges in South Korea, by Anna W. Choi
South Korea’s fast-moving market makes it a testing ground for global brands—its political landscape mirrors this, with rapid information flows shaping public reactions and political trends.
Connecting evidence & education policy, by Racheal Makokha
Global networks, EdLabs, government evidence units, and communities of practice connect researchers and policymakers—ensuring evidence is effectively used in local contexts.
Rethinking evidence use & scaling, by Enrique Mendizabal
Evidence-informed policymaking is complex, requiring adaptability and strategic alignment. Lessons from Peru’s MineduLab and global cases show that relational and political strategies are key to lasting reforms.
Why researchers need comms involvement early on, by Gabriela Keseberg Dávalos
Research alone isn’t enough—it must reach the right people and drive change. Engaging your communications team early ensures visibility and impact. Here’s why their input matters.
Ep 3 | Running a think tank in a changing Europe: Lessons from the South and East of Europe with Vessela Tcherneva
Vessela Tcherneva (Deputy Director, ECFR) shares insights on navigating uncertainty, sustaining independent research, and key European think tank trends. She also reflects on leadership, its challenges, and the future of policy institutions. Part of our Think Tanks in a Changing Europe series, supported by the Open Society Foundations.
Ep 4 | Running a think tank in a changing Europe: Navigating uncertain times in Poland with Karolina Wigura
In this episode, Karolina Wigura—co-founder of Kultura Liberalna, one of Poland’s leading think tanks—shares insights on sustaining independent research, navigating Poland’s think tank landscape, and the role of liberal thought in a conservative context. Part of our Think Tanks in a Changing Europe series, supported by the Open Society Foundations.
News & Events
OTT Conference 2025
Join think tank leaders, funders and policy experts from around the world in June 2025 in Johannesburg, South Africa.
The 10th edition of the School for Thinktankers returns to Fundació Bofill in Barcelona in 2026.
Want to be part of this journey?
OTT Jobs board: Apply in March 2025
- Senior Specialist, Business Development — Basel Institute on Governance
- Operations Specialist / Manager — Simon Institute for Longterm Governance (SI)
- Executive Assistant to the Co-CEOs — Simon Institute for Longterm Governance (SI)
- Director, Public Sector Partnerships — Atlantic Council
- Deputy Chief R&D — AERDF (Advanced Education Research and Development Fund)
