What does ISPI offer?

Commissioned research on public safety and security policy questions in island environments: Island Expert Briefs, Policy Briefs, Insular Vulnerability Audits, Assessment Reports, Research Reports, the Island-Resilient Certification, briefings, tabletop exercises, training and retainers.

How long does delivery take?

An Island Expert Brief is delivered within 10 business days and a Policy Brief within 15 business days.

Submit the commission inquiry form on the Commission Research page with your topic, deliverable type, budget and timeline.

Is the scoping call really free?

Yes. The 20-minute scoping call costs nothing and carries no obligation. Request one through the inquiry form, by email at ISPIGlobal@proton.me or by phone at (808) 999-0544.

Who commissions ISPI?

ISPI works for island and coastal governments, ports and maritime operators, hotels, hospitals, universities, NGOs, international organizations and funders.

Can work be kept confidential?

Yes. Commissioned research is normally published under the ISPI brand, but proprietary work can be delivered confidentially by agreement.

What is ISPI's tax status?

ISPI is a nonprofit organization with its 501(c)(3) application pending. Contributions are not tax-deductible until IRS recognition is granted.

Commission Research

Last updated October 30, 2026

ISPI, a Honolulu-based nonprofit policy research institute, produces commissioned security and public safety research for island jurisdictions. It serves government agencies, foundations, corporations and international organizations. Projects typically start at $4,500; every engagement is scoped and quoted after a free 20-minute call.

Government agencies, corporations, foundations, and international organizations can commission ISPI to conduct research on specific public safety and security policy questions. ISPI produces independent, evidence-based analysis — published under the ISPI brand with full methodological transparency.

What you can commission

Commissioned white papers on a security, public safety, or resilience question in your jurisdiction
Policy briefs for councils, legislators, and agency leadership
Threat and vulnerability assessments of facilities, sites, or operations
Emergency preparedness reviews of plans, warning systems, and continuity of operations
Island-Resilient Certification for organizations operating on islands
Briefings and testimony support: research summaries and written testimony drafts

Who does the work

Research is led by Warren Pulley, ISPI's founder, whose security career includes more than 2,400 threat assessments and a zero-incident record under sustained daily threat at U.S. Embassy Baghdad.

Recognition: three ISPI papers (HI-04, CM-01, CM-09) are featured on PreventionWeb, the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction's knowledge platform.

Sample deliverables

Published ISPI papers show the format and depth of our work:

After the Fire: Three Years On (Maui wildfire emergency management), DOI 10.5281/zenodo.23449892
When the Ocean Comes Inland (tsunami preparedness policy), DOI 10.5281/zenodo.23449922
Maui Wildfire Emergency Management Reform, DOI 10.5281/zenodo.23449957

All three are featured on PreventionWeb, the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction's knowledge platform.

Start an inquiry Book a free 20-minute scoping call

Or call (808) 999-0544.

Ways to work with ISPI

Start small. Most engagements begin with a free call and grow only if the first piece of work is useful.

Free 20-minute scoping call. Talk through your question; you leave with a clear view of what research would help, even if you don't commission it. Request a call or phone (808) 999-0544.
Briefing or training session. A live briefing for your council, board, agency or staff on a security or preparedness topic in ISPI's published research.
Island Expert Brief or policy brief. A short, sourced answer to one decision-focused question. Expert Briefs are delivered within 10 business days, policy briefs within 15.
Threat, vulnerability or preparedness review. A structured review of a site, operation, plan, warning system or continuity of operations, with prioritized recommendations.
Commissioned white paper. Full research on a security, public safety or resilience question in your jurisdiction, published under the ISPI brand or delivered confidentially.
Island-Resilient Certification. For organizations operating on islands that want an independent review against island-specific resilience criteria.

Who it's for: island and coastal governments, ports and maritime operators, hotels and resorts, hospitals, universities, NGOs, international organizations and funders.

Projects typically start at $4,500; every engagement is scoped and quoted after a free 20-minute call.

Request a free scoping call Email ISPI

Who commissioned research is for

U.S. Federal Agencies

DHS, DOJ, FEMA, and other federal agencies can commission research through standard procurement, including micro-purchases. ISPI’s SAM.gov registration (NAICS 541720, UEI: G5H9VJ7C4NS8) is active.

State & Local Government

Hawaii state agencies, county governments, and law enforcement organizations can commission policy analysis and workforce research.

Pacific Island Governments

Island nation governments and territorial administrations across the Pacific can commission ISPI for country-specific security and emergency policy research.

Corporations & Institutions

Hotels, hospitals, universities, ports, and corporations can commission proprietary threat assessments, security policy frameworks, and ESG risk analysis.

Foundations

Philanthropic foundations commission independent research on public safety, youth policy, and community resilience within their grant priority areas.

International Organizations

UN bodies, USAID partners, and allied government organizations can commission ISPI for small-state and island-community policy research.

The commissioning process

Submit a research inquiry

Describe your research question, the policy problem you are trying to solve, and your timeline. Use the inquiry form below or contact ISPI directly. Initial response within 48 hours.

Scoping conversation

ISPI schedules a scoping call to understand the research need, audience, intended use, and any confidentiality requirements. No cost at this stage.

Formal proposal

ISPI delivers a written research proposal including scope, methodology, timeline, deliverables, and fee structure. Proposals are delivered within five business days of the scoping conversation.

Research & drafting

ISPI conducts the research, drafts the report, and submits a review draft to the commissioning client. Clients may comment on factual accuracy but not on ISPI's independent conclusions.

Publication

Commissioned research is published under the ISPI brand with commissioning client acknowledged. Proprietary research may be delivered confidentially without public publication by agreement.

Research domains available for commission

ISPI accepts commissions across all 25 active research topics. The following are available for immediate commission — research in progress or requiring specialized expertise beyond ISPI's current knowledge base may involve longer timelines.

Core Security · Emergency Management · Law Enforcement Policy · Campus & Institutional Safety · Pacific Island Governance · Climate Security · Human Trafficking · AI & Public Safety · Corporate Security & ESG · Democratic Resilience · Public Health Security · Supply Chain Security · Port & Maritime Security · At-Risk Youth Policy · Workforce Development

Independence policy: ISPI maintains full editorial independence on all commissioned research. Commissioning clients do not influence ISPI's research conclusions, policy recommendations, or published findings. Clients acknowledge this independence as a condition of commission. ISPI discloses all funding sources in published research in accordance with standard think tank transparency practices.