J-PAL North America, based at MIT, leads J-PAL’s work in the North America region. J-PAL North America conducts randomized evaluations, builds partnerships for evidence-informed policymaking, and helps partners scale up effective programs.

Our work spans a wide range of sectors including health care, housing, criminal justice, education, and economic mobility. We leverage research by affiliated professors from universities across the continent and a full-time staff of researchers, policy experts, and administrative professionals to generate and disseminate rigorous evidence about which anti-poverty social policies work and why.

MIT partner logo
Clockwise, starting top left: Doctor and patient in masks; student and tutor; people in jumpsuits looking at a whiteboard; people in suits on steps
Blog

Reflecting on a decade of impactful research at J-PAL North America

In the introductory post of the J-PAL North America ten-year anniversary blog series, our scientific leadership reflects on some of the most impactful research conducted by academic researchers in our network and supported by J-PAL North America

Gustavo Bobonis in front of fence and trees
Blog

Affiliate Spotlight: Gustavo J. Bobonis on advancing evidence generation and use in Puerto Rico

In this Evidence Champion series, J-PAL North America is recognizing individuals in our network who have made extraordinary contributions to the field of evidence-based policymaking. This piece features the work of Gustavo J. Bobonis, our inaugural researcher recipient. Gustavo is a professor of...

Carrie Cihak in room with other people
Blog

Partner Spotlight: Carrie S. Cihak on centering community perspectives and continual learning

In this Evidence Champion series, J-PAL North America is recognizing individuals in our network who have made extraordinary contributions to the field of evidence-based policymaking. This piece features the work of Carrie S. Cihak, our inaugural partner recipient. Carrie is the evidence and impact...

Headshots of Laura Lee and Luke
Blog

Behind the Economics Transformation Project: Get to know our Instructional Designers

The Economics Transformation Project (ETP) is a student-informed pathway program that aims to create a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive field of economics for scholars from backgrounds historically underrepresented in the field. In this interview, our Instructional Designers share how their...