The Institute is a novel by James M. Cain published in 1976 by Mason-Charter.

[1] The Institute is a story of academia and high finance set in the community of College Park, Maryland concerning members of the Washington, D. C. political establishment.

Alfred A. Knopf, Cain’s former publisher, rejected the work.

Jim, alas has lived too long and can’t adapt his considerable gifts to today’s modes.” When informed that his dialogue was dated, Cain remarked, “I have to write as I write, and I can’t young it up.”[3] After multiple rejections for The Institute, Cain turned to writing Rainbow’s End.

John D. MacDonald writing for The Sunday Times Magazine concluded that The Institute was “a faint and embarrassing echo” of Cain’s former literary talents.