Though not a contestant for Miss America, the US Institute of Peace (USIP) really does want world peace. Funded by Congress, the institute is an independent, non-partisan, national organization charged with promoting peace. The USIP's stated mission is to prevent and resolve violent international conflicts, promote post-conflict stability and democratic transformations, and to increase peace building capacity, tools, and intellectual capital worldwide. Staffed by government, military, and academic specialists, the USIP pursues world peace through research, education, and training, in addition to providing on-ground operational support in conflict zones. The USIP has an annual budget of more than $20 million.