About
The Stanford King Center on Global Development is a university-wide research center working to help improve the lives of people living in poverty around the world.
Stimulating research
Our network of over 120 faculty affiliates from across the Stanford campus conducts research in more than 65 countries. We support ambitious new initiatives and collaboration across the university to stimulate research that can help alleviate global poverty and advance global development.
Learn more about where we work
Training the next generation
We foster a diverse and talented new generation of global development scholars by providing opportunities for students to engage in world-class research and experiential learning. The King Center offers in-depth research experience for undergraduates; research grants and dissertation fellowships for graduate students; postdoctoral fellowships for emerging scholars; and postbaccalaureate research fellowships for aspiring global development scholars from diverse backgrounds.
Dive into our next-generation programs
Engagement for impact
Conversations and collaborations among academics, policymakers, development organizations, and business leaders are key to moving the needle on global development. When scholars know what questions those most impacted need answered, and when people who are shaping policy and practice have access to insights from research, the potential is vast.
Explore our policy-focused events
Collaboration across campus and around the world
The King Center brings people and resources together to enhance Stanford’s global development-focused research, helping students and faculty build partnerships and collaborate with policymakers and others working to address global poverty.
2022–2023
This year, we funded over 112 projects in 65 countries, increasing our annual investments in global development research by 36%. This report outlines the impact of Stanford’s hub for global development and how we're shaping the next generation of scholars and leaders in global development.
2021–2022
Our 2021–2022 report highlights the expansion of our programs to support and train the next generation of global scholars and the impact of our faculty affiliates’ and students’ research efforts around the world.
2020–2021
The 2020–2021 report covers our continued support for faculty and student research and introduces our newly launched predoctoral research fellows program, which aims to help broaden the pool of scholars in global development and train the next generation of global policymakers and advisors.
Our origin story
The King Center is a joint venture between the Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research (SIEPR) and the Stanford Institute for Innovation in Developing Economies, known as Stanford Seed. The center was launched in 2017 as the Center on Global Poverty and Development. The center was renamed to honor our benefactors Bob and Dottie King in 2019.
About our benefactors
Bob and Dottie King have a long-standing dedication to global development. Drawing inspiration from relationships built by hosting more than 50 of Stanford’s international students in their home over the last 55 years, Bob and Dottie have made numerous significant philanthropic investments to empower students and entrepreneurs working in emerging economies. At Stanford, in addition to their support for the King Center, the Kings are founding donors of Stanford Seed, an initiative led by the Stanford Graduate School of Business. Stanford Seed partners with entrepreneurs in emerging markets and provides them with training, coaching, and networking support to build thriving enterprises that transform lives. The Kings also have provided generous support for Knight-Hennessy Scholars, the Stanford Institute for Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence, the Stanford Graduate School of Business, Stanford Athletics, and several other areas across the university.