We stand at an inflection point for both international development and U.S. higher education—one where the choices made now will shape global prosperity and knowledge for decades to come.
Geopolitical instability, the collapse of traditional aid models, and accelerating technological change are reshaping development priorities. These shifts bring urgent challenges but also powerful opportunities for reinvention, collaboration, and bold leadership. At the Harvard Center for International Development (CID), we decisively pivoted during the 2024–2025 academic year to meet this new era.
Through policy-relevant research, high-profile convenings, global media engagement, and hands-on learning, CID strengthened its position as a leading public voice in reimagining development. At the same time, our deep investment in the next generation of talent expanded our community – bringing in new students, fellows, researchers, and policymakers committed to inclusive, evidence-driven development.
As Harvard’s institutional home for international development, demand for CID’s work continues to grow. Our 140+ Faculty Affiliates are advancing work in over 115 countries on topics ranging from trade and competitiveness to climate resiliency, modern social assistance, scalable education models, integrated public health systems, gender and cultural norms, and more. During our travels this year to London, Lisbon, Rabat, Riyadh, Lahore, Mumbai, Bangkok, Johor Bahru, Singapore, Jakarta, and Hong Kong, we met with leading policymakers and researchers eager to collaborate in new ways to address this rapidly evolving global landscape.
In the year ahead, CID will introduce a new vision for global development: From Poverty to Potential. This framework reimagines development moving beyond poverty reduction to a sustained investment in people, places, and ideas that maximizes human potential and drives inclusive growth.
We thrive because of the strength of our community. At our Harvard Kennedy School home, that energy is felt every day—from packed events and seminars to the 17,918 cups of coffee brewed in the CID Commons this year—more than double last year’s total!
This is just a snapshot of the work underway. As we scale, we are embracing a bigger role than ever before – as a convener, catalyst, and champion for bold ideas and inclusive growth in a time of global uncertainty. A sincere thank you to our funders and champions for believing in us and making our work possible. And for those new to CID, join us – we need you more than ever to build a thriving world for all.
Asim I. Khwaja, CID Faculty Director
Fatema Z. Sumar, CID Executive Director
CID Builds
CID is equipping the next generation of global development leaders with the tools, networks, and experiences they need to drive real-world impact.
We are shaping global-ready leaders through funded, real-world experiences across the globe and in-depth learning experiences on campus. Through internships, student seminars, career chats, and workshops with leading practitioners and policymakers, our growing community of students, fellows, PhD, and faculty affiliates are helping to generate evidence-based solutions and catalyze change where it’s needed most—from education access to economic resilience.
Build by the Numbers
CID Convenes
CID convenes global leaders to shape critical conversations in international development while immersing students in the frontlines of policy and practice.
Through high-profile events, our dynamic speaker series, and direct student and policymaker engagement, we are bridging research and real-world leadership to address urgent global challenges and inspire the next generation of changemakers.
This year, CID hosted 185 events reaching over 2,500 participants from 60+ countries. We brought leading voices from across sectors—including former heads of state, ministers, scholars, and practitioners—to share insights on today’s most urgent development challenges. From U.S. foreign aid to climate action, global health, and digital governance, our events sparked critical dialogue and elevated CID’s role as a trusted convener and platform for global exchange.
Convene by the Numbers
CID Deploys
We catalyze new research collaborations and conduct rigorous studies to generate evidence and apply solutions to pressing development issues worldwide.
Amid a retreat in traditional development funding, CID faculty and affiliates led ambitious, policy-relevant research across social protection, trade, education, and more—preserving Harvard’s ability to produce high-impact, applied research when it’s needed most. In 2024–2025, our teams supported 24 new proposals and managed 28 active awards, generating insights that are shaping smarter, more resilient development strategies.
Since its launch two years ago, the GEM Incubation Fund has catalyzed 13 innovative research projects focused on climate change and gender equity. In 2025–2026, the fund will expand its focus to support new research at the intersection of AI and global development.
During a turbulent year for research funding, CID actively supported faculty in navigating shifting landscapes and securing new opportunities—helping to ensure the continuity and impact of our work.
Rema Hanna, CID Faculty Affiliate
Deploy by the Numbers
2024-2025 in Pictures
How to Engage
Support the work of CID and help us build a thriving world for all.
- Learn from CID faculty affiliates by reading their research
- Invest in CID by supporting supporting cutting-edge ideas
- Subscribe to the CID newsletter to hear more about our research, events, and open positions
- Hear from leading voices in international development by listening to the CID Podcast
- Explore the work of CID's Research Programs and Initiatives or explore our research themes
- Follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter/X, bluesky, and on Instagram @HarvardCID