The Roy and Lila Ash Institute for Democratic Governance and Innovation advances excellence in governance and strengthens democratic institutions worldwide. Through its research, education, international programs, and government innovations awards, the Institute fosters creative and effective government problem-solving and serves as a catalyst for addressing many of the most pressing needs of the world’s citizens. Asia Programs, a school-wide initiative integrating Asia-related activities, joined the Ash Institute in July 2008.

These organization-wide publications showcase the Institute's research, programs, events, and courses.

Four central programs support the mission of the Ash Institute:

The Innovations in American Government Awards Program identifies and promotes best practices and exemplary initiatives that can be replicated in other settings, providing public officials and senior executives with models for innovation at all levels and policy areas of American government. More than $20 million in awards have been presented to over 400 programs.

The Global Network is a worldwide community of leaders dedicated to creative and effective government. It includes sister programs in Brazil, Chile, China, East Africa, Mexico, Peru, the Philippines, South Africa, and Native American Tribes. The Global Network is supported by an online platform, Government Innovators Network, a dynamic means of sustaining a community of innovators in government, academia, research, the media, and private organizations.

Knowledge Building is a hallmark of the Ash Institute’s continuing effort to catalyze innovation and explore the actual processes of democracy. Research results in papers, monographs, books, and case studies, used in the Kennedy School’s strategic management curriculum and in other programs. Dissemination occurs via the Government Innovators Network, conferences, and content presented through executive education programs, so as to reach the broadest possible audience of public leaders. Each year the Ash Institute sponsors research awards for Kennedy School faculty and offers visiting scholar appointments.

The Ash Institute's Teaching and Training program offers over 200 case studies taught at the Kennedy School and in public policy schools around the world, curriculum guides to courses at Harvard University on democracy and innovations, and in active program of support for KSG students. The institute also offers capacity building and training programs for practitioners in developed and developing countries.

The Ash Institute was established in 2003 to address critical issues of governance and make governments more effective and responsive. The Institute owes it origin to two great visionaries, Susan Berresford, the president of the Ford Foundation, and Roy Ash, a cabinet member in two U.S. government administrations and best known as the founder of the modern Office of Management and Budget. Berresford noted that among the millions of people engaged in governance activities, there were many who, although unnoticed, were striving to improve the performance and effectiveness of the government. To counter declining faith in government, it was necessary to spotlight, celebrate and replicate these numerous innovative government programs in the U.S. and worldwide. With a grant from the Ford Foundation, the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University launched the Innovations in American Government Awards in 1985. Roy L. Ash, a dedicated public servant and philanthropist, argued that while considerable scholarly attention was being applied to the questions of governance in the government, most of the work related to specific public policy and current programmatic issues. He called for an application of concentrated scholarly attention to the very nature of democracy, and with his wife, Lila, provided a generous endowment to establish the Ash Institute for Democratic Governance and Innovation.