NGA Center for Best Practices
NGA Center for Best Practices teams develop innovative solutions to today’s most pressing public policy challenges. The NGA Center is the only research and development firm that directly serves the nation’s Governors.
Latest
2026 Governors’ Education Policy Advisors Institute
The National Governors Association convened its annual Governors' Education Policy Advisors Institute (GEPA) in New Orleans from May 27-29, 2026, bringing together 34 leaders from 21 states and territories. Over ...
NGA’s Spring 2026 Infrastructure Coordinator Workshop
A Focus on What Comes Next for States and Territories After the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act On May 19-20, the National Governors Association (NGA) hosted its 11th Infrastructure Coordinator ...
Building a Skills-First Future: NGA Skills in the States Convening
From May 19-21, 2026, the National Governors Association (NGA) Center for Best Practices convened the Skills in the States Annual Convening at the Watergate Hotel in Washington, D.C. Governors' workforce ...
Reigniting the American Dream
Every American should have the opportunity to build a life of purpose, to strengthen their community, and to help shape a nation defined not only by prosperity, but by potential realized. Yet across our very diverse states, too many people have lost faith in this opportunity. They’ve faced too many obstacles, encountered too many closed doors, and given up the hope of a brighter future. We can do better.
Reigniting the American Dream is more than an initiative. It’s an invitation for every U.S. governor to take action.
Program Areas
Center for Best Practices Library
North Carolina Retreat on Enhancing Lead-by-Example Efforts
June 29, 2017 | Raleigh, NC The state of North Carolina, in partnership with the National Governors Association Center for ...
2017 Seminar for New Governors’ Energy Advisors and Annual Governors’ Advisors’ Energy Policy Institute
June 19 – 21, 2017 | Arlington, VA The National Governors Association Center for Best Practices (NGA Center) held the ...
Mississippi Retreat on Reducing Energy Use in State Buildings
June 14, 2017 | Jackson, MS The state of Mississippi, in partnership with the National Governors Association Center for Best ...
Learning Lab on Strategies to Reduce Childhood Hunger
June 12 – 13, 2017 | Richmond, VA The National Governors Association Center for Best Practices (NGA Center) held a ...
Governors Education Symposium
June 11 – 12, 2017 | Denver, CO The National Governors Association Center for Best Practices (NGA Center) and the ...
Washington State Retreat on Enhancing Lead-by-Example Efforts
June 8, 2017 | Olympia, WA The National Governors Association Center for Best Practices (NGA Center), in partnership with the ...
Advancing the Energy-Water Nexus: How Governors Can Bridge Their Conservation Goals
Energy and water are critical resources that rely on each other to be extracted, transported and used. However, because states ...
Setting Site-Specific Priorities in the Federal Budget Process for Cleanup of Nuclear Weapons Waste
Opportunities for State Engagement Sufficient federal funding to clean up the U.S. nuclear weapons complex is a priority for states ...
Oregon Retreat on Prioritizing and Valuing Local Energy Resilience
May 5, 2017 | Newport, OR Oregon, in partnership with the National Governors Association Center for Best Practices (NGA Center), ...
Setting Site-Specific Priorities in the Federal Budget Process for Cleanup of Nuclear Weapons Waste: Opportunities for State Engagement
This issue brief focuses on the opportunities for state engagement at each stage of the budget process and suggests how ...
Work-Based Learning Policy Academy TA Webinar Series
This webinar series, which ran from Jan 2016 to April 2017 looked at the following work-based learn topics: Measurement, Enhancement, ...
Human Capital Spring Learning Lab
April 24-25, 2017 | San Diego, CA Meeting Objectives Deepen understanding of high-leverage strategies to improve coherence of programs and ...
PAST NGA CHAIRS INITIATIVES
- 2024-2025
Gov. Jared Polis’s Initiative
Let’s Get Ready! - 2023-2024
Gov. Spencer Cox’s Initiative
Disagree Better - 2022-2023
Gov. Phil Murphy’s Initiative
Strengthening Youth Mental Health - View all…