The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has committed up to $24 million to establish a Research Technical Assistance Center (RTAC) at the University of Chicago’s independent research organization, NORC. With today’s announcement, USAID is awarding an initial $2.5 million to launch the RTAC, with plans to increase support up to $24 million – subject to the availability of funds — during the life of the program. The RTAC is a new award under the portfolio of USAID’s Higher Education Solutions Network program, and will run from 2018 until 2022.

With the support of this award, NORC and its consortium of partners will build a global network of university researchers to provide USAID with rapid-response, on-demand research expertise. The RTAC will serve as a new resource to USAID, by offering in-depth research, specialized training and technical advice that can inform the development and implementation of U.S. programming in international development.

NORC will continue to expand its network of academic researchers throughout the duration of the award, but the RTAC consortium currently includes the following institutions:

• University of Chicago:
  • The Harris School of Public Policy;
  • International Innovations Corps;
  • University of Chicago Center in Delhi; and
  • Pearson Institute for the Study and Resolution of Global Conflict;
• DevLab@Duke University;
• the Pulte Institute for Global Development (formerly the Notre Dame Initiative for Global Development, NDIGD);
• Arizona State University (ASU);
• United Negro College Fund (UNCF);
• University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC);
• Resilient Africa Network (RAN) at Makerere University (Kampala, Uganda);
• Centro de Investigación de la Universidad del Pacifico (CIUP) (Lima, Peru);
• Institute of International Education (IIE);
• Population Reference Bureau (PRB);
• Davis Management Group; and
• Forum One