Summer Economics Fellows Program

The Application Portal opens December 1.

Purpose: The Summer Economics Fellowship allows the fellow to spend a summer in residence at a sponsoring research institution.

Overview: Fellowships are available to senior graduate students and junior faculty who have not been fellows in the past. During their residency, fellows participate as members of the research community while engaged in a research project of their own choosing. Fellows will be mentored by experienced economists both on scientific issues, and career issues such as negotiating publications, the job market, and advancement strategies. Fellows are encouraged to present a research seminar at the sponsoring agency during their fellowship. Fellows are typically either junior faculty, postdocs or graduate students at the dissertation stage. Fellows are to be chosen by the program with the agreement of the sponsoring institution in line with the goal of advancing the participation of women and underrepresented minorities in the economics profession, the fit of a candidate with the activities of the research group at the sponsoring institution, and the value of the proposed research to advancing the sponsoring institution's own goals.

Application: Applicants are asked to apply directly to the Summer Economics Fellows Program, but are welcome to indicate a preference for a particular sponsor. The application portal is now closed. In addition to completing the applicant information form, applicants will be asked to upload their CV and a one page description of their proposed research (both as PDFs). A cover letter is not necessary, but applicants may include any information they would like the program to consider in a comment box. Graduate students are asked to indicate from which faculty member the program can expect a letter of recommendation. Junior faculty are encouraged to include such a letter from a senior faculty member. Recommendation letters will be requested within the application portal.

Fellowships are open to all economists who have not been fellows in the past without regard to gender or minority status, although the goal of the program, advancing the careers of women and underrepresented minorities, will drive the selection process. 

In addition to the Participating institutions, we have several Cooperating programs interested in offering summer positions to promote the roles of women and underrepresented minorities in economics. Specific details vary with the program. Application should be made directly to the cooperating program. Applicants are welcome to apply both to the Summer Fellows program for consideration by Participating programs and directly to Cooperating programs.

Compensation and residency dates: Compensation is set by each sponsoring institution, normally at a level commensurate with the institution’s usual practices for an economist of equivalent experience. Fellows are responsible for their own expenses. (Sponsors may cover expenses in lieu of a stipend where the amounts involved are roughly equivalent and where the fellow and sponsor both prefer this method.) Dates of residence are determined by agreement between sponsor and fellow, eight to twelve weeks is the norm.

Sponsoring requirements: Sponsoring institutions agree to sponsor one or more fellows, assuming suitable matches can be made. But in order to maximize the number of fellows, sponsoring institutions should not hire fellows who have already accepted offers from other institutions. Administrative expenses of the program are supported by CSWEP.

Key dates: Applications should be received by February 1. Deadlines at Cooperating programs may differ. Sponsors will receive applications within the following week of the deadline. Sponsors are asked to start the interview process March 25 and to hold initial offers open until late April. Final notifications are anticipated by late May, but could differ depending on each sponsors' hiring processes.

Administration: The program is administered by an ad hoc committee appointed by the Chairs of CSWEP and CSMGEP.

• The application portal for the 2024 Summer Economics Fellows Program is now closed.
• For a comprehensive list of questions and answers about the program and applying visit our Frequently Asked Questions.
• For information on the program’s History and Archival Statistics, click here.
• For the names and sponsors of past AEA Economics Summer Fellows, please click here.
• For further information contact sefp@aeaweb.org.