PolicyEngine ecosystem map

"Tell the story" — certified Cosilico partner, focused research org
NSF POSE · Winter 2026
Arrow types ideas / feedback funding technical / code data / analysis influence Gov / Validation Funding Users / Research Influence Contributors / Team Risks Publish research papers (citations, tenure) Score reforms quickly (faster than competitors) Cite credible analysis (back advocacy) Validate against CBO/JCT (transparency) Foundations: policy research Clients: custom analysis NSF: infrastructure (different value exchanges) Fact-check policy claims (embeddable interactives) PolicyEngine 501(c)(3) / UK Charity — "Tell the story" policyengine-us policyengine-uk policyengine-core CPS microdata FRS microdata enhanced data policyengine.org (web app) custom interactives / dashboards REST API / policyengine.py NBER, Atlanta Fed, Brookings Policy analysis and reports (quantitative storytelling) Models · Data · Apps · API · Research Open source (AGPL) — uses Cosilico infrastructure 7 Government Economists Budget Analyst, Policy Economist (CBO, JCT, Treasury, SSA) Validate, inform scoring 3 Policymakers / Staffers Legislative Dir, Committee Staff (Hill offices, state leg) Quick what-if, constituent Qs 5 Policy Foundations (Arnold Ventures, Pritzker) Grants for research output 3 Research Clients (CRFB, Niskanen, think tanks) Paid analysis / custom tools 2 Government Grants (NSF POSE) Infrastructure funding 3 Data Journalists Reporter, Data Editor (NYT, WaPo) Fact-check, build interactives 7 Academic Researchers Professor, PhD, Postdoc (Econ, Public Policy depts) Publications, grants, teaching 10 Think Tank Analysts Policy Analyst, Fellow, Director (CRFB, Niskanen, Urban, AEI) Fast, credible methodology 5 Policy Advocates Exec Director, Comms Dir (CBPP, advocacy orgs) Credible backing, media reach 2 Policymakers (reach) Leg. Directors, Committee Staff (Congress, state legislatures) Legitimacy, use cases 2 OSS Contributors Software Eng, Data Scientist (External volunteers) Portfolio, impact, learning 2 PolicyEngine Team Analyst, Engineer (Core team) Build models, demo via research 1 Data/Tool Partners CTO, Product Lead (Census, IRS) Data sharing, co-develop 2 Non-Users (Potential) Using alternatives (TRIM3, etc) Why not? Cost? Trust? 1 Competitors CEO/CTO of rival tools Collaborate? 0 Misusers Bad-faith analysts Cherry-pick results $ grants research fees NSF $ validate methodology what-if legitimacy ideas tools, docs reports feedback analysis amplify influence PRs, fixes data embeds barriers? Partnership model Certified Cosilico partner (Salesforce-style accreditation) Differentiates via research Assumptions to test: Think tanks want OSS? Gov economists engage? Clients pay for analysis? Contributors exist?