The Brookings Institution, a prominent American think tank based in Washington, D.C., conducts influential research and education across social sciences, focusing on areas like economics, foreign policy, and governance. Describing itself as nonpartisan, it is recognized for attracting citations from both conservative and liberal politicians, reinforcing its broad appeal across the political spectrum.
Founded on March 13, 1916, as the Institute for Government Research, it was established by philanthropist Robert S. Brookings and officially became the Brookings Institution through a merger of three organizations in December 1927. Historically, Brookings has played significant roles, including studying the causes of the Great Depression for President Franklin D. Roosevelt and developing the administrative plan for the post-World War II Marshall Plan. Consistently ranked as a "Top Think Tank in the World" from 2008 to 2020, the institution remains the most frequently cited think tank globally as of 2025.