AEA Summer Economics Fellows Program

Benefits & funding

• Compensation is set by each sponsoring institution, normally at the level it pays an economist of equivalent experience. The AEA publishes no figure.
• Eight to twelve weeks in residence at the sponsor, with dates agreed individually between fellow and sponsor.
• Mentoring from experienced economists at the host institution, covering research and career questions.
• Access to the host institution’s data, seminars and research community for the length of the stay.
• Living and travel expenses are the fellow’s own responsibility and are not reimbursed separately, apart from occasional arrangements made to satisfy visa rules.

Eligibility

• Open to senior graduate students, postdoctoral scholars and junior faculty in economics. Undergraduates, master’s students and senior economists are not eligible.
• Junior faculty normally means a PhD earned within the last six years; sponsors make the final judgement.
• Applicants need a well-defined research project they can carry out over the summer.
• The proposal must advance the participation of women and underrepresented minorities in economics. Anyone who can make that case may apply.
• Applicants based at institutions outside the United States are eligible, and the program states it is open to non-Americans.
• Applicants are responsible for holding a visa that permits paid work in the United States. The FAQ notes that F-1 students in their second year or later may use optional practical training, that H-1B status almost certainly carries restrictions, that sponsors can sometimes arrange a B-1 visiting scholar route, and that Canadian and Mexican citizens should look into trade-agreement visas.
• The program defines an underrepresented minority as a US citizen, permanent resident or refugee who is African-American, Hispanic or Native American. This definition describes the group the program serves; it does not bar others from applying.

Application process

1. 1
   Apply through the online portal, which is open only from 15 November to 1 February each year.
2. 2
   Complete the information form.
3. 3
   Upload a CV as a PDF.
4. 4
   Upload a research proposal of one page or less as a PDF.
5. 5
   Graduate students name a faculty recommender, and one letter is required. Junior faculty are encouraged to include a letter from a senior colleague.
6. 6
   Add optional comments if anything needs explaining. No cover letter is required.
7. 7
   A screening committee reviews the applications, then sponsoring institutions interview and select their own fellows from 25 March.

Program timeline

1. the application portal opens for the following summer

   15 November

2. applications should be received by this date

   1 February

3. sponsoring institutions begin interviews

   25 March

4. initial offers are held open until this point

   Late April

5. final notifications are anticipated

   Late May

6. Summer

   eight to twelve weeks in residence, dates agreed with the sponsor