The Economist Program (EP) is the International Monetary Fund’s entry route for new PhD economists, based at IMF Headquarters in Washington, D.C., for three years.
Participants rotate through two departmental assignments on teams covering regional and country surveillance and fiscal, monetary, balance of payments and debt issues. EPs who perform strongly and consistently are typically absorbed as open-ended IMF economists.
Benefits & funding
- A three-year staff position with two departmental assignments; the pages consulted publish no salary or benefits figures.
- The IMF provides documentation to support the U.S. visa application.
- Typically leads to an open-ended economist post, though this is not guaranteed.
Eligibility
- Citizens of any IMF member country.
- A recent PhD in economics or a related field (macroeconomics in the 2027 posting), or within one year of completing it.
- Under 34 when the program begins in September 2027; the only exception is time spent in mandatory military service.
- Strong quantitative and analytical ability, and excellent written and spoken English; other IMF languages are an asset.
Can you apply?
Here's who can apply
Decoded from the official rules. A free account checks them against your passport, degree and age in seconds.
“Be a recent PhD graduate or be within one year of completing a PhD in macroeconomics or a related field.” Eligibility
Education required
PhD Enrolled · PhD
Age requirement
≤ 33 yrs
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Application process
- 1Apply through the IMF Workday careers site by December 5, 2026.
- 2Shortlisted candidates have a 30–40-minute preliminary interview on their research and economic topics related to IMF work.
- 3You may then be asked for your latest PhD transcript, three academic references (not from current IMF staff) and a publishable-standard paper or one or two dissertation chapters.
- 4Selected candidates attend an in-person panel interview with senior IMF economists and an HR officer, plus a 90-minute written assessment.
Program timeline
Applications open; preliminary interviews begin
September 2026
Application deadline
December 5, 2026
Panel interviews and assessments at HQ
December 2026–January 2027
Offers extended
February 2027
Program starts
September 2027