Rice University’s Institute for Urban Research was established in February 2010. Under the direction of the leadership team – Director Bill Fulton, Founding Director Stephen Klineberg, and Associate Director of Research Ruth Lopez-Turley – the Institute advances the understanding of the most critical issues facing Houston and other leading urban centers around the country.

The Kinders were inspired to support the Institute with a $15 million endowment and, in their honor, the Institute was renamed the Kinder Institute for Urban Research. The mission of the Institute is to advance understanding of the most pressing urban issues through scientific research, policy analysis, and public outreach and implement promising solutions through collaboration with civic and political leaders.

The Kinder Foundation gift ensures the longevity of the Kinder Houston Area Survey and support new and innovative academic research and outreach programs that offer multi-disciplinary frames to study particular urban issues.