The Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI) receives funding from a diverse range of sources, including government grants, philanthropic donations, and corporate sponsorships. The Australian Government provides the largest share of ASPI’s funding through the Department of Defence and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. ASPI also receives funding from a number of international governments, including the United States, the United Kingdom, and Japan. Additionally, ASPI receives support from a range of philanthropic organizations and individuals, as well as corporate sponsorships from companies such as Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and Northrop Grumman.
Funding for the Australian Strategic Policy Institute
The Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI) is a non-profit think tank based in Canberra, Australia. It was established in 2001 to provide independent, rigorous and nonpartisan analysis of strategic and defence issues.
Public Funding
ASPI receives funding from a variety of sources, including the Australian government and international organisations. The Australian government is ASPI’s largest source of funding, providing $6.4 million in 2021-22.
- Department of Defence: $3.2 million
- Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: $2.1 million
- Other Australian government departments and agencies: $1.1 million
Partnerships
ASPI also receives funding from a number of other sources, including corporate sponsorships, donations from individuals and foundations, and research grants.
ASPI’s corporate sponsors include a number of major Australian companies, such as Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and Thales.
ASPI has also received funding from a number of international organisations, including the United States Department of State, the United Kingdom Foreign and Commonwealth Office, and the European Union.
| Organisation | Funding |
|---|---|
| Boeing | $1 million |
| Lockheed Martin | $500,000 |
| Thales | $250,000 |
| United States Department of State | $200,000 |
| United Kingdom Foreign and Commonwealth Office | $150,000 |
| European Union | $100,000 |
Private Donations and Support
The Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI) receives funding from a variety of sources, including private donations and support.
- Corporate donations: ASPI has received donations from a number of corporations, including Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and Northrop Grumman. These donations are typically made in the form of cash or in-kind support, such as research grants or access to data.
- Individual donations: ASPI also receives donations from individuals. These donations are typically made in the form of cash or in-kind support, such as research assistance or access to networks.
- Foundation grants: ASPI has received grants from a number of foundations, including the Smith Richardson Foundation and the MacArthur Foundation. These grants are typically used to support research projects or other activities that align with the foundation’s mission.
| Source | Amount |
|---|---|
| Corporate donations | $1.5 million |
| Individual donations | $500,000 |
| Foundation grants | $250,000 |
ASPI’s private donations and support are important to its work. These funds allow ASPI to conduct independent research, host conferences and events, and publish reports and analysis on a range of strategic policy issues.
Research Grants and Fellowships
The Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI) receives funding from a variety of sources, including research grants and fellowships. These grants and fellowships are typically awarded to ASPI researchers to support their work on specific projects or areas of interest.
- Research Grants: Research grants are typically awarded by government agencies or foundations to support specific research projects. ASPI has received research grants from a variety of sources, including the Australian Department of Defence, the United States Department of Defense, and the MacArthur Foundation.
- Fellowships: Fellowships are typically awarded to individual researchers to support their work on a specific topic or area of interest. ASPI has received fellowships from a variety of sources, including the Fulbright Program, the Churchill Fellowship, and the Asia-Pacific Leadership Network for Nuclear Non-Proliferation and Disarmament.
The following table provides a summary of some of the research grants and fellowships that ASPI has received in recent years:
| Source | Amount | Project | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australian Department of Defence | $1.5 million | The Future of Australian Defence Industry | 2021-2024 |
| United States Department of Defense | $1 million | The Role of AI in Modern Warfare | 2020-2023 |
| MacArthur Foundation | $500,000 | Nuclear Non-Proliferation and Disarmament in the Asia-Pacific | 2019-2022 |
| Fulbright Program | $250,000 | The Role of the United States in the Asia-Pacific | 2022-2023 |
| Churchill Fellowship | $100,000 | The Future of British Foreign Policy | 2021-2022 |
| Asia-Pacific Leadership Network for Nuclear Non-Proliferation and Disarmament | $50,000 | Nuclear Non-Proliferation and Disarmament in the Asia-Pacific | 2020-2021 |
International Collaboration and Support
The Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI) collaborates with various international organizations to enhance its research capabilities and impact.
- United States:
- Center for a New American Security (CNAS)
- RAND Corporation
- Hoover Institution
- United Kingdom:
- Royal United Services Institute (RUSI)
- International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS)
- Asia:
- Japan Institute of International Affairs (JIIA)
- S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS)
- East-West Center
These partnerships enable ASPI to share research, conduct joint projects, and access global networks of experts and policymakers.
| Organization | Contribution (AUD) |
|---|---|
| United States Department of Defense | $1.3 million |
| United Kingdom Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office | £500,000 |
| Japan Ministry of Foreign Affairs | ¥50 million |
International funding support contributes to ASPI’s financial stability and allows it to maintain its high standard of research and policy analysis.
Cheers for sticking with me through all that! I know it was a bit of a dense read, but I hope you found it interesting and informative. If you’re keen to dig deeper into the murky world of think tanks, be sure to check out my other articles. In the meantime, thanks for reading, and I’ll catch ya later!