Launched on April 3, 2014, the U.S. Global Development Lab seeks to increase the application of science, technology, innovation, and partnerships to accelerate the Agency’s development impact in helping to end extreme poverty and promote inclusive economic growth. The Lab does this by working closely with colleagues across the Agency and by bringing together a diverse set of partners to find new innovations, tools, and approaches to solve development challenges more effectively and sustainably. The Lab serves as a central hub for shared learning on science, techology, innovation and partnerships, and we work across USAID and with our partners to mainstream proven solutions to reach global impact.

The Lab is lead by an Executive Director (Lab/OD) who oversees the work of five Directors who administer the Lab’s programs and management activities across five centers and two offices. The Lab’s senior leadership team includes the science advisor to the Administrator.

The Center for Development Research (Lab/CDR) increases the use of scientific research to improve development outcomes. The Center partners with other parts of the Agency, federal agencies, universities, NGOs, and the private sector to increase the scientific knowledge and evidence directed toward addressing USAID’s development priorities and improving policy and programming decisions.

The Center for Digital Development (Lab/CDD) advances the use of enabling technologies and data-driven approaches to empower undeserved communities and improve development effectiveness. The Center works with a range of public and private sector partners to encourage the adoption and use of technologies that are critical to an inclusive digital economy and to leverage the data produced by these technologies to be more responsive and adaptive. 

The Center for Development Innovation (Lab/DI) develops new breakthroughs by harnessing the best in American and global scientific and innovation communities. The Center supports the discovery, incubation, and testing of solutions to specific problem areas, as well as open platforms for innovation.

The Center for Transformational Partnerships (Lab/CTP) develops global partnerships with a wide range of public and private sector stakeholders to extend the impact and sustainability of global development programming, and builds the capacity of the entire Agency to pursue partnerships of all types.

The Center for Agency Integration (Lab/AI) delivers Lab support for field Missions and Bureaus in Washington and provides coordinated support and approaches to more flexibly and effectively address global challenges. 

The Office of Evaluation and Impact Assessment (Lab/EIA) conducts rigorous, evidence-based analysis to guide investment decisions and assess the Lab’s theory of change - that science, technology, innovation, and partnership approaches are delivering impact more quickly, cost-effectively, sustainably, and are reaching more beneficiaries.

The Office of Engagement and Communications (Lab/EC) supports the goals of the Lab through effective engagement and communication to numerous audiences – USAID, the U.S. government, and donor, academic, business, philanthropic, entrepreneurial, research, scientific, and technical communities.