Next Responsible Idea (NRI) equips students to address economic challenges affecting underprivileged groups through rigorous research and evidence-based solution development. This track guides participants through comprehensive economic investigation using five distinct research methods, culminating in solutions grounded in economic principles and empirical data.
NRI emphasizes research depth, economic literacy, and social responsibility. Students learn to conduct surveys, analyze economic data, interview experts, synthesize literature, and facilitate focus groups—building solutions from a robust foundation of evidence rather than assumptions. The track's defining characteristic is its requirement for solutions that specifically benefit underprivileged or marginalized communities.
NRI is the only track requiring proficiency in five distinct research methods: survey research, economic data analysis, expert interviews, literature research, and focus groups. This comprehensive approach ensures students gather diverse evidence types and develop versatile research skills applicable across disciplines.
Rather than general social issues, NRI specifically addresses economic problems—those involving markets, businesses, employment, trade, financial systems, or resource allocation. Students develop economic literacy by applying concepts like supply and demand, cost-benefit analysis, market failure, and economic impact to real-world challenges.
NRI requires a Research Synthesis phase where students systematically review all collected data to identify key findings before brainstorming solutions. This ensures solutions emerge from evidence rather than preconceived notions, teaching students to follow the data rather than their assumptions.
Every NRI project must address challenges faced by underprivileged groups. This focus on equity and justice ensures students consider who benefits from economic solutions and develop sensitivity to distributional effects of economic interventions.
Students choose one solution type:
Students identify a specific economic problem affecting underprivileged groups in their community. The problem description must be objective—describing the issue itself, not presuming solutions. Local data and statistics support the problem's significance.
This is NRI's most distinctive phase (25% of evaluation). Students systematically execute all five research methods: surveys, economic data analysis, expert interviews, literature research, and focus groups.
Before generating solutions, students comprehensively review all research and data, identifying key findings most relevant to the problem. This critical step ensures solutions emerge from evidence rather than assumptions.
Based on research synthesis, students develop one of three solution types: improving business practices, proposing policy change, or creating social venture—each with appropriate economic analysis.
Students identify potential risks (economic, social, environmental) and implementation problems, assess their likelihood and impact, prioritize them, and develop mitigation strategies and resolution plans.
Students reflect on their evolution as economic thinkers, research methodologies learned, and understanding of social responsibility, while documenting team contributions and creating comprehensive project summaries.
Students interested in creating businesses that generate both profit and social impact. NRI provides the economic analysis and research skills necessary to design sustainable social ventures.
Those who want to understand how economic policies affect communities and develop evidence-based policy proposals that address systemic challenges.
Participants who enjoy systematic investigation using multiple methods. NRI offers the most research-intensive experience among all NIM tracks.
Those who value making decisions based on comprehensive evidence rather than assumptions. NRI emphasizes following research findings to solutions.
While both NRI (Economic Innovation) and NIV (Entrepreneurial Innovation) involve business thinking, they differ fundamentally in purpose, methodology, and deliverables.
Purpose: Starts with an economic problem affecting underprivileged groups and uses rigorous research to understand it before developing solutions.
Methodology: Five-method research approach (surveys, economic data, expert interviews, literature, focus groups) → Evidence-based solution.
Deliverable: Research synthesis with evidence-based solution (business improvement, policy proposal, or social venture).
Purpose: Starts with a business idea and develops it into a comprehensive, investable venture.
Methodology: Business model development → Comprehensive planning (market analysis, financial projections, operations).
Deliverable: 15-30 page business plan ready for investor review.
NRI provides the most research-intensive experience in the NIM program, teaching students that effective economic solutions require deep understanding before intervention. By mastering five research methods and synthesizing diverse evidence types, students learn to think like economists—following data, questioning assumptions, and considering unintended consequences.