The RAND Corporation's Role in the Pittsburgh Story

The RAND Corporation is the world's premier policy analysis institution, trusted for its innovative, rigorous, and objective problem solving. The nonprofit, nonpartisan organization is distinguished for its research capability and expertise as well as its access to policymakers and decision-makers.

In 2000, RAND chose Pittsburgh as the location for its third major U.S. office. RAND's office in Pittsburgh, located in the heart of the Pennsylvania-Ohio-West Virginia tri-state region, serves as a major eastern and midwestern portal to RAND and its resources. The city met all the major criteria RAND sought, including:

• access to talent and potential clients;
• proximity to major research universities with which RAND can partner on projects of mutual interest;
• good quality of life and moderate cost of living;
• an impressive number of FORTUNE 1000 companies headquartered in the region;
• proximity to a medical school, because RAND Health's policy work has become one of our fastest-growing and most influential areas of research; and
• a tradition of public-private partnerships aimed at improving the community and the region.

As RAND approaches its 10th year of operations in Pittsburgh, it is clear that southwestern Pennsylvania was the perfect choice. RAND has created strong partnerships with other organizations and attracted talented knowledge workers from across the nation. RAND has planted deep roots in Pittsburgh, and as our ties to the region grow, our staff has expanded to nearly 200 employees. RAND's continued growth is supported by the welcoming nature of this community – one that invites us to play a role in helping to address the issues and challenges that face both southwestern Pennsylvania and the world.

RAND began in 1946 in Santa Monica, California as a research project backed by a single client, the Army Air Forces. Two years later, with foundation support, RAND became an independent institution committed to exploring the most complex and consequential problems facing our society. Today, RAND focuses on major social and economic problems in education, health, and criminal and civil justice, as well as national and international security, and many other areas. From nine offices located around the world, RAND researchers operate on a uniquely broad front, assisting public policymakers at all levels, private-sector leaders in many industries, and the public at large, both in the United States and abroad.

Maps and Directions to Pittsburgh Office