The Rural Policy Research Institute (RUPRI) is a national policy research organization with a mission to: (1) undertake unbiased research and analysis on the challenges, needs, and opportunities facing rural America; (2) improve the understanding of the impacts of public policies and programs on rural people and places, using original research and policy analysis; and (3) facilitate dialogue and collaboration among the diverse community, policy, practice, and research interests focused on a sustainable rural America.

Featured Work

Confirmed COVID-19 Cases, Metropolitan and Nonmetropolitan Counties

The presence of COVID-19 cases impact rural and metropolitan areas differently – a small number of cases creates stress for low capacity systems just as a large volume of cases creates stress for larger capacity systems. This report is updated every Monday.

High Visibility Podcast

Introducing High Visibility Podcast from RUPRI Partner Art of the Rural

Matthew Fluharty, Founder and Director of Art of the Rural hosts a new podcast called High Visibility.  The High Visibility podcast welcomes into conversation artists, culture bearers, and leaders from across rural America and Indian Country.  

Focus Areas

RUPRI examines a broad range of topics that affect rural places, ranging from local issues to global challenges.

Arts and Community

We facilitate and inform the relationship between rural places and the arts through dialogue and collaborations involving artists, organizations, and communities.

Arts and Community

We facilitate and inform the relationship between rural places and the arts through dialogue and collaborations involving artists, organizations, and communities.
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Cultural Wealth

We consider the roles that arts, culture, entrepreneurship, and innovation play in forming the diverse assets within rural communities.

Cultural Wealth

We consider the roles that arts, culture, entrepreneurship, and innovation play in forming the diverse assets within rural communities.
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Health

We work to understand and advocate for best practices in the communication, access, organization, finance, and delivery of healthcare services in rural areas.

Health

We work to understand and advocate for best practices in the communication, access, organization, finance, and delivery of healthcare services in rural areas.
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Local and State Policy

We advocate for public policy that elicits good governance and adequate resources to foster prosperous, sustainable communities.

Local and State Policy

We advocate for public policy that elicits good governance and adequate resources to foster prosperous, sustainable communities.
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Population and Place

We examine rural wealth, public investment, and social mobility and develop frameworks to enable deeper analysis.

Population and Place

We examine rural wealth, public investment, and social mobility and develop frameworks to enable deeper analysis.
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About RUPRI

The Rural Policy Research Institute is a national organization providing nonpartisan, research-based insights on the challenges, needs, and opportunities facing rural America.

RUPRI connects and collaborates with scholars and practitioners across the country. We welcome your inquiries and proposals considering the rural-urban divide.