The North Bengal Institute (NBI) is RDRS’ centre for alternative research, advocacy and regional capacity-building. It was established in 2001 to expand RDRS’ grassroots action through partnership and advocacy and promote a pro-poor agenda across RDRS’ working area and beyond. Acting as an independent voice for a neglected region and its people, the presence of the NBI in Rangpur challenges the centralized urban bias of Bangladesh’s civic society. As a regional actor with strong national and international linkages, the NBI connects the local communities’ development needs and priorities with the resources of the external world.

As an academic institution, the NBI provides field-based collaborative research and study programs with other organizations and individuals working on development issues. Grants for student researchers conducting short-term, small-scale studies are also available.

Organizations and individuals interested in collaborative research on poverty and development issues relevant to the north-west of Bangladesh are invited to contact us at: