AEI seeks help from public policy experts in identifying emerging scholars, intellectuals, and free-lance writers whose work shows promise of making a substantial contribution to public policy debate, and who would benefit from the kinds of institutional assistance available through AEI.

The American Enterprise Institute launched the National Research Initiative (NRI) in 2002 to support, publish, and disseminate research by university-based academics and other intellectuals engaged in the exploration of pressing public policy issues. The goals of the NRI are two-fold: to help AEI collaborate with scholars who are doing important work on issues that are relevant to the Institute's interests; and to provide the support that is needed for these scholars to have a greater influence on the policy debate.

The support that scholars receive through the NRI may take a variety of forms:

• Research and Publication
• Visiting Fellowships
• Doctoral/Postdoctoral Fellowships