Nonpartisan research for the Michigan institutions already on the ground.
NCI builds evidence-based programs, governance frameworks, and policy tools for districts, legislators, funders, and public institutions across the Great Lakes Bay Region and the state.
The strongest proof points for the NCI thesis in action.
Two flagship programs that anchor the broader research portfolio, both built for the institutions doing the work.
PlayStrong
A research-backed model for treating youth sports infrastructure as an earlier access point for behavioral health support, opportunity, and referral pathways.
Open PlayStrong Flagship measurement platformMSEEM
Michigan Sports Equity and Economic Mobility. A platform for sports access, NIL readiness, recruiting visibility, and district capacity. Now includes MSEEM Forward, the NIL implementation and athlete mobility track.
Open MSEEMTwo labs and an advisory practice, built for different decisions.
NCI is structured to keep the research lane clean. Each division has a defined function, audience, and operating posture.
Community Equity Lab
The Lab translates NCI research into school, district, and community-facing pilots, tools, and implementation support.
Open CEL ii. Institution-facingCivil Governance Lab
Neutral governance frameworks for surveillance, public records, consumer protection, and emerging public-sector technology. Audits, reporting templates, and implementation tooling for municipalities and the state.
Open CGL iii. Advisory practiceLedger Strategy Group
LSG provides strategy, policy research support, briefing materials, and implementation planning for civic and public-sector clients on a fee-for-service basis.
View LSGActive issue areas across the brief library and policy page.
Six representative lines from the current portfolio. The full set lives across MSEEM, the Civil Governance Lab, and the broader policy page.
ALPR Municipal Data Governance
Surveillance tools, privacy boundaries, procurement discipline, and municipal accountability.
Municipal FOIA Modernization
Public records systems that are operational, timely, and usable for residents and journalists.
Auto Lending Transparency
Fairer information and clearer protections for young and first-time vehicle buyers.
MSEEM Forward
NIL implementation, financial literacy, and athlete mobility pathways for districts and athletic departments.
Tuscola Literacy and Student Readiness
A county-level readiness framework for K-12 literacy, dyslexia screening, family communication, and movement into CTE.
GroundWork
Youth agriculture, land-based learning, and workforce exposure through existing Tuscola County infrastructure.
The brief library and policy page hold the full set.
View all policy lines →Different visitors should leave with a different next step.
Whether you represent a district, an athletic department, a legislative office, or a funder, NCI has a clear path for the next conversation.
Programs, scorecards, and consulting.
PlayStrong, MSEEM, and Literacy Consulting. Move from the portfolio to a program, scorecard, or implementation conversation.
Contact NCI Athletic departmentsNIL readiness and recruiting visibility.
MSEEM, NIL Access Audit, and Navigate the Deal. NIL readiness, recruiting visibility, and athlete-protection tools.
Open MSEEM Legislators and agenciesNonpartisan policy memos and briefings.
Nonpartisan issue memos, legislative framing, and follow-up briefings from NCI's policy page and brief library.
Open policy page Funders and partnersThesis, programs, and research library.
Institutional thesis, flagship programs, and the supporting research library in one clear view.
Request a funder overview