National Bureau of Economic Research

The National Bureau of Economic Research is a private nonprofit organization founded in 1920 that conducts economic research on pressing policy issues. Rather than collecting government statistics, NBER provides a space where academic economists study questions like inequality, unemployment, monetary policy, and international trade. The organization publishes working papers that often become influential studies cited by policymakers and the Federal Reserve. NBER also maintains datasets and hosts conferences where researchers share findings. The organization is widely respected but operates independently from government, so its research reflects the interests and methodologies of its researcher members rather than any official mandate.