With a team of economists and program staff, Fellows and strategic partners, the Institute conducts research and organizes convenings on critical issues related to financial security, higher education and endowments and foundations.
The Institute provides an environment in which academic researchers can exchange ideas and expand their reach to affect public policy. Leaders use the knowledge provided by the Institute to make better-informed decisions.
Institute Fellows are nationally recognized thought leaders and prominent scholars, experienced in matters of importance to TIAA and those we serve. These experts extend our knowledge, skills and reach, and advance our thought leadership. Fellows have conducted more than 100 Institute-sponsored research studies.
The TIAA Institute supports original research and thought leadership through its grants program. Leading scholars are encouraged to submit innovative research ideas on financial security, higher education and endowments and foundations. The TIAA Institute, with the Pension Research Council at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, funds high-quality, cutting-edge research on retirement policy and practice.
The Institute’s signature award programs are designed to advance knowledge and recognize leadership excellence. The TIAA Paul A. Samuelson Award For Outstanding Scholarly Writing On Lifelong Financial Security recognizes an outstanding research publication that helps advance Americans’ lifelong financial well-being. The TIAA Institute Theodore M. Hesburgh Award for Leadership Excellence in Higher Education recognizes a current higher education leader for commitment to higher education, leadership and contributions to the greater good.
In addition to our focus areas here are some of our latest research topics.
Stagnant public investment and concerns about the cost of higher education have led innovative institutions to seek new revenue sources.
Most of the time, when we talk about how faculty are recruited, appointed, retained and promoted, we are discussing a problem.
Since 2018, the National Association of College and University Business Officers (NACUBO) and TIAA have jointly produced an annual study on higher education endowment and foundation investment performance and governance.
The second wave of the Healthcare Sector Financial Wellness Survey provides an updated analysis of personal finances and financial well-being among full-time employees in hospitals and healthcare systems.
Since many individuals are required to manage their own retirement portfolios, policy levers that aid in retirement planning and saving have become increasingly important.
Since many households lack the ability to weather unexpected financial shocks, how has the pandemic thus far affected Americans’ financial stability?