Much of the Institute's research is conducted in ten policy centers/projects.
 | Education Policy Center Evaluating schools and students in the accountability era |
 | Health Policy Center Exploring health care costs, access, and reform Director: John Holahan |
 | Income & Benefits Policy Center Analyzing American families' economic security from cradle to grave Director: Gregory Acs |
 | Center on International Development and Governance Supporting growth and democratization in developing countries Director: Charles Cadwell |
 | Justice Policy Center Working with communities to stem violence and crime Director: Nancy LaVigne |
 | Center on Labor, Human Services, & Population Examining policies affecting workers, children, and immigrants Director: Elizabeth Peters |
 | Low-Income Working Families Project Understanding the risks and supports for low-income working families Director: Margaret Simms |
 | Metropolitan Housing & Communities Policy Center Studying the vitality of urban neighborhoods and the role of place in public policy Director: Rolf Pendall |
 | Center on Nonprofits & Philanthropy Charting the size, finances, and diversity of the nonprofit sector Director: Elizabeth Boris |
 | Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center Informing tax policy debates with clear analyses, explanations, and facts Director: Donald Marron |