6,545 think tanks in 182 countries were identified, nominated and ranked based on criteria such as the production of relevant research, publications and programs in different research areas. The "Think Tank Index" is seen as an authoritative source for public policy institutions. The objective of the ranking is to identify the leading think tanks in the world and to acknowledge their contribution to civil societies and governments.

The four organisations supported by Sida's research cooperation, included in the top think tank rankings are:

United Nations University World Institute for Development Economics Research (UNU-WIDER). The UN University in Finland is ranked six of the top thirty international development think tanks. UNU-WIDER is an international network of academics working to solve global challenges. They pursue multidisciplinary research and policy analysis to achieve structural changes for the world's poorest, build capacity to educate academics and civil servants in socioeconomic decision-making and to maintain a forum for discussion for sustainable and just development. Sida has supported UNU-WIDER since 2002. In the current agreement 2010 - 2014 Sida supports WIDER with 20 000 000 SEK.

African Economic Research Consortium (AERC). AERC from Kenya is ranked seven of the top thirty think tanks in Sub-Saharan Africa and number 26 of the top thirty think tanks worldwide. The organisation is also on the ranking for top thirty international development think tanks and top thirty international economic policy think tanks with placement 30 and 29 respectively. AERC is an African network for research and research education in national economy, consisting of 24 universities in 19 African counties. Sida has supported AERC for many years.

The Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR). CGIAR from USA is ranked 15 of the top thirty environment think tanks. It is a global partnership between research organizations that works to reduce poverty and famine, to improve health and nutrition and to increase the resistance of the ecosystems through international research, partnership and leadership. The World Bank, USA and various FN organizations are the main funders. Sida has supported CGIAR since 1973. The Sida contribution 2010-2012 is 226 500 000 SEK.

Council for the Development of Social Science Research in Africa (CODESRIA). CODESRIA from Senegal is ranked 29 of think tanks with the best use of the internet or social media to engage the public. CODERSRIA is part of the cooperation for research, education, publication and distribution in social science called South/South. The objective of the cooperation is to establish collaboration between researches in Africa, Asia and Latin America and to bring the south perspective forward in global development issues. Sida has supported CODESRIA since 2005.