The National Academy for Planning and Development (NAPD) is a national institution for training, research and consultancy under the Ministry of Public Administration, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh. The academy is treated as the apex national institution for capacity development in the fields of planning and development in Bangladesh. It established in 1980 under the project “Development of the Planning Machinery in Bangladesh”, with a mission to develop the professional capacity of officials engaged in planning and development activities. In 1985, NAPD was declared a “body corporate” and was subsequently redesignated as the National Academy for Planning and Development in 2007, with formal approval in 2009. It is legally strengthened by ‘The National Academy for Planning and Development Act, 2018 (Act No. 41 of 2018)”, which provides the foundation for its mandate, governance, and functions.

NAPD provides training to officials of government, semi-government, autonomous and private organizations in planning, project implementation, procurement management, strategic leadership, financial management, project appraisal, monitoring, e-governance, human resource management, office management, language learning, and information and Communication technology. Training also provided on specific request from different organizations.

NAPD undertakes development and policy-related research from its inception, provides assistance to ministries, departments and organizations in project formulation, monitoring and evaluation, and offers consultancy for the preparation of Development Project Proposals (DPP) including feasibility studies. The Academy liaises with national and international organizations to ensure quality and relevance in research and project evaluation.

The Academy publishes its annual peer-reviewed journal, “Development Review”, which features research and review articles on development and policy issues. The journal covers potential thematic areas including Planning and Development, Economic Development, Poverty Reduction and Social Protection, Change Management, Public-Private Partnerships, Project Management, Procurement and Supply Chains, and other relevant topics.

The Academy regularly organizing national and international seminars, workshops and conferences to facilitate exchange of knowledge and experience on planning, development, project management and related public sector’s strategic issues.

Through its integrated mandate of training, research, consultancy and publication, NAPD remains committed to strengthening institutional capacity, supporting evidence-based policy formulation, and advancing effective planning and development management in Bangladesh.