The State of Tamil Nadu needed to enhance its social science research ecosystem to improve development outcomes. Athena therefore supported The Madras Institute of Development Studies, developing a proposal to establish a Center of Excellence. Its approach looked at institutional development, using an unconventional approach to institution and research capacity-building, where people and partnerships are critical catalysts. It also extensively reviewed existing global and local institutions. In addition to this, Athena developed an input-process-output approach from consultations with key decision-makers representing these institutions.