With a focus on advancing studies, research, and leadership development, the Lemann Foundation, in partnership with the University of Zurich (UZH), is enabling the creation of the new Lemann Center for Education, Development and Public Policy, which will be led by Esther Duflo and Abhijit Banerjee, who were awarded the 2019 Nobel Prize in Economics and are global leaders in development economics and the use of evidence to inform public policy.
The Lemann Center at the University of Zurich is the sixth initiative of the Lemann Foundation in partnership with international universities to advance research, studies, and leadership development. Four of them are based in the United States (at Harvard, Stanford, Columbia, and the University of Illinois) and one in the United Kingdom (at the University of Oxford). Activities are set to begin in July 2026, with a focus on promoting research and initiatives that address Brazil’s key challenges in areas such as education, development, and public policy.
The Lemann Foundation’s initial investment amounts to 26 million Swiss francs — equivalent to approximately 33 million U.S. dollars or 174 million Brazilian Reais— to support the center’s establishment, the directors’ tenure, operational costs, Master’s and Visiting scholarships for Brazilians, and funds for policy pilots and innovations.
“Today marks the beginning of the partnership between the Lemann Foundation and the University of Zurich, a recognized center of academic excellence. The presence of Esther Duflo and Abhijit Banerjee, two researchers with a strong record of contributions to society, reinforces the potential of this partnership to transform knowledge into concrete solutions and to develop new leaders. I have always believed that investing in people and promoting dialogue is the best way to create lasting change. I am confident that this initiative will also accelerate my family foundation’s efforts to improve public education in Brazil and help the country continue to develop”, said Jorge Paulo Lemann, Chair of the Lemann Foundation Board.
A new hub of knowledge serving Brazil
The Lemann Center will be linked to the Department of Economics at the University of Zurich, one of Switzerland’s leading public institutions and an international reference. Among the topics to be developed at the new center are education, social development, inequality, and public-sector innovation, with a continued commitment to research independence and academic freedom.
“We are delighted that two of the world’s most influential economists are joining UZH,” says UZH President Michael Schaepman. “Esther Duflo and Abhijit Banerjee combine scientific theory with social impact in their research, which is also a key concern for UZH. Their presence will strengthen the values and the international visibility of our university.”
The Center will also promote a research platform, featuring workshops that bring together researchers and policymakers and thematic meetings to develop evidence-based policies. The goal is to bridge the gap between those who produce knowledge and those who make policy decisions, to accelerate the test of solutions, and to adapt what works to the Brazilian context.
“The new Lemann Center will enable us to build on and expand our work, which bridges academic research, student mentorship and real-world policy impact,” said Esther Duflo, Scientific Director of the Lemann Center at the University of Zurich. Banerjee, Co-Director, added: “We have no doubt that the University of Zurich will be an excellent environment for us to pursue our research and policy work in the years to come.”
Denis Mizne, CEO of the Lemann Foundation, said, “The Lemann Center in Zurich strengthens our global connection with major international universities such as Harvard, Illinois, Stanford, Oxford, and Columbia. This new knowledge hub with the University of Zurich will be a strategic space to generate research, foster debate, and develop solutions for the major challenges of Brazil and the world, always with a focus on children’s learning, reducing inequalities, and achieving large-scale impact.”
In addition to generating knowledge, the new center of excellence in Zurich will also support the development of diverse leaders committed to social transformation. The initiatives will include master’s scholarships, visiting fellowships, and online courses.
Partnerships that connect research and practice
This initiative will also be supported by an already established partnership with Insper, a leading Brazilian institution in teaching and research in public policy, economics, and management, which hosts the Latin American office of J-PAL (the Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab), a network for evidence-based policy research founded by Duflo and Banerjee. Insper also serves as one of the hubs for the ADEPT Network (the International Alliance for Data, Evaluation, and Training in Public Policy), dedicated to developing leaders and policymakers skilled in data and evaluation. The new Lemann Center at the University of Zurich will connect these two initiatives, combining cutting-edge research and practical training.
“The creation of the Lemann Center in Zurich is another step in the Lemann Foundation’s commitment to investing in studies and research that generate knowledge and evidence to address the main challenges of our time. Our commitment is to contribute to Brazil’s development,” said Mizne.
The Lemann Foundation seeks to foster the journeys of leaders committed to finding solutions to Brazil’s challenges and to promote the production of knowledge that contributes to the country’s development, connecting science, practice, and people in the service of public impact.