Summary

This resource synthesizes advice from a variety of sources, such as the American Economic Association, economics faculty members, and the authors' own experience, on deciding to apply for PhD programs in economics and related disciplines (e.g., political science, public policy, agricultural or applied economics, etc.).¹

Is a PhD right for you?

Deciding whether to pursue a PhD is a major life decision. Navigating the PhD admissions process can be stressful and uncertain, especially with limited information available to prospective applicants and admitted students. Implicit biases and uneven access to mentoring, networks, and resources can make it especially difficult for international foreign applicants and applicants from underrepresented backgrounds to gain admission to top PhD programs in the United States and Europe.

PhD programs are designed primarily to train academics, but most PhD graduates end up working outside of academia. Many PhD students decide to pursue jobs outside of academia because jobs in industry or policy can offer higher salaries or opportunities to work on more applied projects without teaching responsibilities. Others end up in non-academic jobs because they are unable to secure a tenure track position at the type of university or in a location they desire. Accounting for academic and non-academic opportunities, PhD economists have higher rates of employment than PhDs from other disciplines.

Should you still consider a PhD if you don’t want to be a professor?

There is a big opportunity cost associated with pursuing a PhD. PhD stipends at top US programs are generally around $20,000-$40,000 per year. The median time to degree in US economics PhD programs is 5.8 years, and having a master’s degree doesn’t always make it shorter. A PhD may not necessarily improve competitiveness for non-academic jobs. For example, a new PhD graduate going into consulting would likely start at the same level as a new MBA graduate. 

However, skills developed in PhD programs can be valuable and applicable to non-academic jobs. For example, graduates of top PhD programs in economics and political science often develop high level data science skills, which are appealing to big tech companies like Google and Meta and some government agencies and multilateral organizations like the World Bank. In addition, while PhD programs are longer than master’s programs, many are fully funded, allowing students to graduate without significant graduate student loan debt.

The stress, workload, and lack of regular structure that PhD programs entail can make it difficult to maintain a healthy work-life balance. Therefore, general interest in research and the PhD credential alone may be insufficient to maintain the motivation and focus required to complete a PhD program. Before applying to PhD programs, applicants should be confident in their ability to manage their time and stay self-motivated on complicated, slow-moving projects. It is also worth noting that perceptions of PhD research often differ from reality. For example, some students may spend more time on tasks like managing foreign research permits and data cleaning than on tasks like data collection, analysis, and writing.

Will a PhD from a top program make me competitive for a tenure-track professorship at a top-tier research university?

Not necessarily. Top PhD programs produce far more PhDs than the number of open tenure track professor positions in these departments each year. Consequently, PhD candidates from top departments are more likely to find assistant professor jobs at lower-ranked departments, which makes the job market even more competitive for graduates of lower-ranked departments. 

Should I do a predoc or a master’s first?

In the United States, master’s degrees are not required for admission to PhD programs. However, particularly for students who completed their bachelor’s degree abroad or whose undergraduate grades may not be stellar, master’s degrees can make applicants more competitive even though completing a master’s degree prior to a PhD does not necessarily shorten the time it will take to complete the PhD. 

Predoctoral research assistant positions (predocs) have become increasingly common (mainly in economics) in the past few years and can be an alternative to completing a master’s degree. Predoc programs are generally designed as an apprenticeship model, where predocs work directly with professors on research projects. Predoc programs also offer a more hands-on sense of what PhD research entails, which may help prospective applicants make a more informed decision about applying to PhD programs. Additionally, the supervising faculty member may be able to write a more compelling letter of recommendation, reflecting on the applicant’s demonstrated research skills from working on research projects. 

For individuals interested in pursuing a PhD in economics, predocs can be a more attractive option than a master’s because predoc positions are paid, whereas master’s students are not paid and need to pay tuition (which can be very expensive in the United States, and most master’s programs do not offer full scholarships or stipends). Some predoc programs also offer the opportunity to take classes during the predoc. More information about predoc programs including practice tests can be found at PREDOC (Pathways to Research and Doctoral Careers). 

For applicants with gaps in their undergraduate transcript (e.g., less than stellar grades or a major in a different discipline) and for students who completed their bachelor’s degree at a lesser known university (e.g., a small university in a foreign country), a master’s degree could significantly improve one’s chance of admission. For more perspectives on the merits of pursuing a master’s before a PhD, see posts by Professors Dick Startz (UCSB) and Miles Kimball (Colorado).

Where to Apply

Selecting the right programs to apply to is a crucial decision that can streamline the application process and pave the way for a successful academic journey. J-PAL affiliates noted what to keep in mind when deciding where and how broadly to apply:

• Apply broadly but only to programs you are certain you want to attend. A PhD is hard and has a high opportunity cost, so while it is advised to apply to many programs, apply to programs where you know you would accept the offer if it were the only offer you received.
• If application fees are a barrier to applying, request waivers when possible. Recognizing the financial burden applications can impose on prospective students, many universities take steps to alleviate the cost by offering application fee waivers. Although eligibility criteria differ by university, waivers are typically needs- or background-based (e.g., educational pipeline programs for underrepresented groups).
• Look for departments with strengths in multiple fields. Your interests may evolve as you progress through your PhD journey—finding a department with expertise across different fields will give you more flexibility to change your research area or track during your PhD.

How many schools should I apply to?

The average acceptance rate at top-25 ranked economics PhD programs is approximately 10% among an already self-selective group of highly qualified applicants. Given the abundance of qualified applicants, admissions decisions can be quite idiosyncratic. Departments seek balance across subfields and faculty advisors, so applicants' particular research interests can make them more or less competitive in ways that are difficult to predict. In addition, different professors and PhD students serve on the admissions committee each year, and each committee member may evaluate candidates and weigh criteria differently. Given the levels of competition and unpredictability, candidates often apply to a large number of programs (10-20), especially if targeting highly ranked schools. Most universities offer application fee waivers for applicants from low income backgrounds.

How do programs in Europe and North America differ?

There can be substantive differences in program structure and application processes for PhD programs in Europe and North America. While there are also differences across different PhD programs within Europe and the United States, the following differences are common when comparing many (but not all) European versus American doctoral programs: 

• Application processes: European doctoral programs often require master’s degrees and a dissertation proposal as part of the application package. Some European universities offer doctoral tracks for 2-year master’s programs, which allow successful students to continue directly into the doctoral program in the same department. Although some North American PhD students complete master’s degrees before the PhD, this is typically not required. US programs do not require a full dissertation proposal as part of the application. Instead, applicants to US programs describe their research interests more broadly in a statement of purpose. 
• Coursework and dissertation: In North American programs, PhD students spend the first two years focusing on coursework and exams. In these programs, students typically only develop their dissertation prospectus in their third year after completing coursework. By contrast, in many European programs, PhD students begin research right away and are therefore expected to have a more detailed sense of their research agenda, and in some cases, their specific research question and design, when they apply. Most European PhD programs also have some course requirements (e.g., advanced microeconomics and econometrics) but these requirements are often smaller for the shorter programs, and sometimes they are not contained to the first year. However, some European PhD programs, such as the Zurich Graduate School of Economics, follow the US model with two years of coursework in a five-year program. 
• Program duration: Many European PhD programs are 3-4 years (though average completion times are longer for top programs) while US programs are typically 5-7 years. Entering US programs with a master’s degree can sometimes shorten program duration, while collecting original data or conducting fieldwork often extends it.
• Advising: In North America, PhD students are advised by a dissertation committee of 4-5 professors, of whom one or two is a chair or co-chair. As a result, in North American programs, it is less important to have one advisor with perfectly aligned research interests. Instead, a student may have one committee member who specializes in the same methods, another who focuses on the same region, and another who studies the same topic (but with different methods or in a different context). 
• Funding: Most top-ranked US PhD programs offer a full funding package, e.g., five years of guaranteed tuition plus stipend (usually with some teaching assistant or research assistant requirements) to all admitted students (including international students). In some European countries, especially in Scandinavia, PhD students are treated as employees with salaries and benefits. However, top-ranked PhD programs in some European countries such as the United Kingdom and Italy do not automatically offer funding packages along with admission, requiring students to apply for separate fellowships to cover the cost of living. Some US PhD programs also do not guarantee full funding packages to all admitted students so it is advisable to check tuition and stipend arrangements for each program individually.

Regardless of whether applying to PhD programs in North America or Europe, if one’s goal is to become a tenure track (or equivalent) professor in a top-ranked university in either region, it is advisable to pursue PhD programs in top ranked universities with a strong track record of placing PhD students in such positions after graduation. Many PhD programs feature their “placement record” from recent years on their department website, which can be informative for prospective applicants seeking traditional academic careers.

We encourage prospective applicants to explore the additional resources listed below, including mentorship programs for underrepresented groups and advice from professors on applying to PhD programs.
 

Mentorship resources

Several organizations offer mentorship resources and programs for aspiring PhD applicants from underrepresented groups. See the University application support and mentorship programs resource for a full list of programs available across different regions.

Summary

This resource compiles advice from J-PAL-affiliated researchers who have served on admissions committees at North American and European universities as well as the authors' own experiences, offering insights on how to craft a competitive application.¹

Your PhD application is an opportunity to demonstrate your unique passion and aptitude for research and how well your background and goals align with the program to which you are applying. Putting together a competitive application involves thoughtful preparation and thinking ahead.

Showcasing your quantitative skills

An applicant’s undergraduate major does not need to be the same field of study as the discipline of their PhD, especially if they can demonstrate strong skills related to math and statistics and an understanding of what research in their PhD discipline entails. 

Coursework

Admissions committees for economics programs typically consider quantitative preparation as one of the most important qualifications for a PhD. Showcasing your quantitative skills clearly can ensure your application makes it through the first screening round.

• Your application should include a complete account of your quantitative background. Committees will look closely at undergraduate and master’s (if applicable) transcripts, particularly courses that focus on quantitative skills, such as multivariate calculus, linear algebra, real analysis, and statistics. Being specific about the quantitative courses you have taken (e.g., noting the textbooks used) can give the admissions committee context on the quality of the courses—especially if you took the courses at a university the committee is less familiar with or if you have taken quantitative courses outside of traditional education.
• Experience with software or programming languages used for statistical analysis, web scraping, and data cleaning, such as Stata, R, and Python is very helpful for completing PhD coursework and research and may make applicants’ more competitive for admission.

GRE

Most economics PhD programs still pay attention to GRE scores despite their known limitations. In order to be competitive for top-ranked economics programs that accept GRE scores (even if they are optional), applicants may need to score in the 90th percentile or above in the quantitative section (see advice from Professors Chris Blattman and Dick Startz).

• Plan to practice extensively for the GRE. The GRE score is often one of the first metrics considered when reviewing applications, so it is important that your quant score is strong. However, the GRE is tricky because it doesn’t just require technical skills but also test-taking skills. Specifically, one big challenge of the GRE is the timing. Using online resources to practice and test yourself in different settings and under the required circumstances can help strengthen your familiarity with the format. 
• Retake the GRE if your quantitative score is insufficient. While formal requirements vary by university, economics programs often require a GRE score above the 80th or 85th percentile, and top-ranked programs often expect a score above the 90th or 95th percentile. It is possible to take the GRE multiple times, and it is up to you which score to share with the schools. Therefore, consider taking the test early so you have time to take it again if it doesn’t go as you hoped. If costs are a concern, research whether there are waivers that can help subsidize test fees. 
• Consider taking the GRE even when it is not required. Your GRE score can be one of the most efficient ways to signal your quantitative ability, especially for students whose undergraduate and master’s programs did not have a strong mathematical focus, or students applying from schools where the grading system will be less familiar to admissions committees (e.g. if you studied outside of the US and are applying to US PhD programs). There is, therefore, value in sharing a strong GRE score even when the GRE is not required.
• Experience with software or programming languages used for statistical analysis, web scraping, and data cleaning, such as Stata, R, and Python is very helpful for completing PhD coursework and research and may make applicants’ more competitive for admission.

Letters of recommendation

Letters of recommendation should be personalized to you as a candidate and must expand on your unique skills and abilities beyond the experiences listed on your CV. Professors who can speak to applicants’ specific interests, experience, and research potential beyond their performance in class can typically write the strongest and most compelling letters of recommendation.

• Put careful thought into whom you choose to write your letter. All else equal, letters of recommendation from more well-known professors carry more weight. However, how well the professor knows the applicant and how detailed and specific of a letter they can write is more important. So if choosing between a well-known, senior faculty member who does not know the applicant well versus a junior faculty member who can speak to one’s specific strengths and research interests, choose the latter.
• Your letter of recommendation needs to speak to your research capacity. Ideally, your letter should be written by someone who has a PhD and is familiar with the research process, which can provide additional credibility to your application. It is also important that your letter writer has experience working with you in a research setting and can speak to your individual strengths and abilities.
• Identify your strengths and weaknesses as a candidate, and ask for a letter of recommendation from someone who can best balance them. Ask your referees directly if they would be able to write you a strong recommendation, and give them the opportunity to say no. If your letter writer is not familiar with writing a recommendation letter, you can share examples of letters or match them to someone more experienced with the process.
• Ideally all (or at least two) letter writers should be tenure track (or equivalent) faculty members in the same discipline who publish in top journals, and no more than one should be a professional recommendation (e.g., from a supervisor at an unrelated job). See further advice on letters of recommendation from Professors Susan Athey (Stanford) and Chris Blattman (Chicago).

Statement of purpose

The statement of purpose (SOP) is an opportunity to highlight the applicant’s research experience and research interests. It can describe research topics and methods completed in an undergraduate or master’s thesis or a research assistantship and plans to apply skills from such experiences to one’s doctoral research. The SOP is your most important opportunity to show your analytical potential beyond what is listed on your CV, especially if you come from a lesser-known program.

Many programs do not accept separate writing samples, so the statement of purpose is also a way for the admissions committee to assess the quality of an applicant’s writing. Writing in the statement of purpose should be clear and professional. It should not be poetic and does not need not be highly creative. However, it is not advisable to simply follow templates that can be found online.

• Tailor your SOP/personal statement for each program. Applicants should also tailor statements of purpose to specific programs for each application by explicitly mentioning professors from the university you are interested in working with and why. Spend time understanding the work of faculty and ensure it is analogous to the research you describe being interested in. If the department to which you are applying has separate tracks, your statement should include why the specific track you have chosen suits you best. Additionally, if there are different research centers within the university, mentioning and being familiar with their work can be a good way to signal how the program aligns with your interests.
  • For US programs, applicants may mention several professors who would be good advisors for different aspects of one’s doctoral study. For example, a student interested in conducting field experiments related to political economy in Southeast Asia might mention faculty members who do field experiments (regardless of topic and region), faculty who do research in Southeast Asia (but with different methods or topics), and faculty who study political economy (but with different methods or in a different region). Doing so does not commit the applicant to working with any of the faculty members mentioned but can indicate to the department that the applicant has done their homework and may be a good fit.
• Statements of purpose should demonstrate familiarity with the recent scholarship in the applicant’s area of interest and show that the applicant can identify potential research topics that are appropriate for the context of doctoral research. Research at the doctoral level is quite different from research applicants may have done for term papers at the undergraduate or master’s level. To get a sense of what cutting edge research in one’s field looks like, it is helpful to read articles published within the past five years from top journals in the discipline. 
• Explain any extenuating circumstances that make you a good fit for your program. Remember that the PhD selection process is about two-way matching: You are looking for the program that is the best fit for your interests and goals, and universities are looking for PhD candidates who are the best fit for their program and who are likely to accept their offer. Therefore, if there are any extenuating circumstances that make you particularly interested in a given program, like if you have family who live nearby, it can be valuable to mention this in your personal statement.
• Begin drafting statements of purpose early to allow time for feedback from professors and friends in PhD programs and multiple rounds of revision. J-PAL affiliated professor Chris Blattman (University of Chicago) offers more advice on writing statements of purpose here. More advice can also be found in this guide to applying to PhD programs in economics.

Research statement

Institutions have different requirements regarding your SOP and will sometimes request that a personal and research statement be submitted as separate documents. The research statement (or proposal) should cover the type of research you are interested in pursuing; a personal statement can help build a narrative for your motivations and explain why you are a good fit for the particular program you are applying to.

• Use your research statement to showcase your analytical and critical thinking skills. Your research statement is an opportunity to show your originality and ability in your approach. While not all universities require you to apply with a fully formed research question, and while you are not obligated to execute the proposed research question during the PhD, the more thought out and original the ideas included in the research statement, the better. Start thinking about a research question and a potential research design to address it  several months before your application is due to make sure you submit ideas that are possible, interesting, and well-motivated. 
• Demonstrate deep knowledge of and engagement with the literature from your proposed research area. The research statement should place your research ideas within the current literature; it can be a red flag to the admissions committee if the literature you use is no longer relevant. One way to stay on top of the literature is to find recent reviews, e.g., through VoxDev or J-PAL’s database of Policy Insights. 

Weighting application materials

Each component of the application serves a different purpose. Particularly in economics, coursework and GRE scores indicate to the department whether an applicant possesses the technical (and especially math) training necessary to get through first year theory courses and should be thought of as a necessary but not sufficient condition for admission. That is, insufficient math preparation, low grades, or low GRE scores can keep an applicant out of a program but on their own are not enough for admission.

The letters of recommendation and statement of purpose should speak to the applicant’s research potential, i.e., creativity, focus, and passion for doing research. The letters and statement of purpose may also speak to self-motivation and ability to pursue self-directed work, highlighting relevant soft skills and experiences that may not be obvious from only reading the applicant’s resume and transcript.

Keep in mind that there can be a lot of randomness in the admissions process—not getting accepted to your preferred programs does not mean your PhD dreams are over. If you choose to reapply the following year, explore application assistance and mentorship programs referenced in our admissions process resource.

Summary

This resource compiles advice from J-PAL postdocs and staff with PhDs to help prospective students choose between programs to which they have been accepted, or to help them consider next steps in case they were not accepted to any of their preferred programs.¹

Doing a PhD is a big investment. It takes several years—most US programs are designed to take five years but often take longer—and a PhD is hard work and comes with significant opportunity costs in terms of advancing your career in other ways. Therefore, deciding which program to attend is an important decision.

Program fit and career alignment

Choose the program that will give you the best training and support for your future career

“The focus of a PhD should be training for your future career. You should choose a program that will provide you with the skills and support you need for your particular career goals. Beyond looking at the job placements of recent cohorts to gauge the quality of a program, consider reaching out to past graduates with different types of jobs to ask what support they received during their PhDs and on the job market—especially if you think you may eventually be interested in government jobs, private sector jobs, jobs at liberal arts colleges, etc. Even if you don’t currently think you’re interested in those jobs, knowing whether the department will support you if you change your mind is a good metric of department culture.”

- Megan Lang, Economist at the World Bank Development Research Group, former J-PAL K-CAI Postdoc, PhD in Agricultural and Resource Economics from UC Berkeley

Start thinking about your advisor and committee but don’t get too invested in one specific advisor

"Some programs will have you apply directly to an advisor or choose an advisor before starting the program; some programs won’t have you commit to an advisor until you are several years into the program. Regardless of the structure, it is important to choose a program and an institution that has multiple professors with whom you would be excited to work, as there is always the risk that a professor will relocate—especially if they are junior faculty. Some benefits of choosing a junior advisor are that junior faculty tend to be more hands-on, and their PhD is a recent memory, while senior faculty typically have more experience advising students and have wider networks. Large universities often have economics faculty across multiple departments (e.g., an economics department, an applied or agricultural econ department, a business school, a policy school). When considering your possible advisor and other committee members, make sure that you know of all of the economists on campus, as you can benefit from faculty from other departments."

- Sarah Kopper, Interim Director of Research at J-PAL Africa and Associate Director of Research at J-PAL Global at MIT, PhD in Agricultural Economics from Michigan State University 

There are PhD options for mid-career professionals, too

"If your career goal is to work in academia, there are, undoubtedly, clear and large benefits to doing a PhD early in your career. But if you are open to pursuing policy and industry jobs in addition to academic roles, whether to do a PhD is not a “now or never” decision. Plenty of people pursue PhDs after having worked for 10-15 years or more. Talk to people who have started a PhD later in their career to think through whether it may be the right path for you. Also, look into PhD programs, often in public policy schools, that offer more flexibility and support for mid-career professionals including part-time study options."

- Claire Walsh, Associate Director of Policy, J-PAL Global; DPhil Candidate, Public Policy, Blavatnik School of Government, Oxford University

Program culture and environment

Research the culture of the program

"Beyond the ranking of the department, the culture of the department can have a large impact on your experience during your PhD, including the support you will receive and your mental health. It can, therefore, be valuable to reach out to current students to learn about the climate in their program. For example, does anyone complain of a toxic environment? Do professors treat grad students like junior colleagues? How quickly do professors respond to emails from grad students? How detailed and helpful is their feedback? How often do professors coauthor with grad students and how often do grad students coauthor with one another? Do students work on problem sets together? Do they give each other feedback on papers and job market materials outside of seminars?”

- Eitan Paul, Senior Research Manager at J-PAL Global, PhD in Public Policy and Political Science from the University of Michigan

Consider whether the conditions of the location beyond the PhD program itself will help you thrive

"A PhD typically takes somewhere between three and eight years to complete, so it is important that the program is located somewhere you could imagine living for that length of time. For example, if having a support system is necessary for you—like if you are moving with young children or a spouse—let that factor into your decision of where to go. If you are an international student moving with a spouse, consider whether it is possible for your spouse to work to make sure your family has a sustainable income. On the margin, you could also consider other factors, such as traffic, nature, city amenities, etc. The visiting days can be a great opportunity to get a sense of whether you can live somewhere and whether the location is a good fit."

- Nurina Merdikawati, J-PAL Southeast Asia Postdoc, PhD in Economics from Crawford School of Public Policy, Australia National University

Financial and logistical considerations

Consider the financial package

"While getting a PhD is a long-term investment, it also has a high opportunity cost in that you commit to a number of years of relatively low pay compared to what you could be making elsewhere. Therefore, you should think very hard about the long-term financial implications before starting a program that is not fully funded (including funding you can get from external sources like the National Science Foundation). You should also consider the financial implications of doing a PhD beyond the tuition and living expenses, e.g., if you are planning on doing costly research, such as fieldwork or expensive data collection, ask about the availability of research grant funding within the university, and ask about the rules for doing external consulting work to supplement your stipend. While you should not let $1,000 shift your decision, you can and should negotiate your financial package, including help with moving expenses, guaranteed RA or TA jobs, research grants, etc. Not every school is able or willing to negotiate, but it helps to try to level the playing field; then pick the school that will provide the best training, assuming it meets basic financial needs."

- Jesse Gubb, Senior Research Manager at J-PAL North America, PhD in Political Science from Harvard University

Consider the benefits beyond the financial package

"Being a PhD student can be very different from being a master’s student or doing a professional degree program like an MBA. A PhD is much more like a job and you should treat it as such. When choosing which school to go to, you should, therefore, take into account the workplace aspects of the program. For example, consider the health insurance package: does it cover what you expect to need? If you have a family or are planning to start one during your PhD, what are the options for childcare and other resources for parents? When evaluating information on the benefits beyond the financial package, it can be a good idea to ask both for the formal information from the graduate school and the experience of the students themselves."

- Ying Gao, Senior Policy Manager at J-PAL Global, PhD in Political Science from MIT

Consider the teaching requirements

“For most schools, PhD stipends are conditional on teaching. Different schools (and different departments within schools) have different rules and expectations about how much PhD students have to teach, ranging from each semester to only a few semesters over the course of the PhD. While teaching can be fun and a great way to learn, it is also a large time commitment which, unfortunately, rarely factor into your ranking within the school. It is therefore important to understand the teaching requirements of the different schools/departments before making a decision. Ask both about the formal rules and students’ experiences of the enforcement of these rules. For example, sometimes students can apply for internal or external funding that can decrease the teaching load, or professors can hire the students as research assistants to “buy them out” of teaching.”

- Michala Riis-Vestergaard, Senior Research, Education, and Training Manager at J-PAL Global, former J-PAL Global Postdoc, PhD in Psychology and Social Policy from Princeton University

Staying motivated

Don’t get discouraged if you don’t get into your top program in the first year

“There is a lot of randomness in the admissions process as many applicants will look very similar on paper in terms of skills and qualifications. There are a few ‘superstars’ every year that will basically get in everywhere (think Econometrica publication as an undergrad, a few working papers, and a reference from a well-known senior professor saying this person is the best they ever taught) but the next 10-15 percent of applicants will all have top GRE scores, grades, letters, etc., so a lot of it comes down to the subjective assessments and preferences of people on the admissions committee in a given year and idiosyncratic factors like how tough the competition for a given field in a given department is (i.e. departments will aim for a balance of different fields)."

- Anna Schrimpf, Global Director of Innovation at J-PAL, former J-PAL Global postdoc, PhD in Political Science from Princeton University

Don't compare yourself, never ever go on GradCafe, and don't read other people’s CVs

“It is incredibly tempting to compare yourself to other aspiring PhD students in the application process. However, nothing good can come from such comparisons. Even if you don’t get into your preferred programs, choose to reapply next year, and want to learn how to improve your application, looking at current PhD students is not super helpful (see survivorship bias airplane meme here). It is more valuable to look at advice available online from professors who have sat on admission committees rather than inferring successes and failures through comparisons.” See our other resource on deciding if a PhD right for you.

- Andreas de Barros, assistant professor at the University of California, Irvine, former J-PAL Global postdoc, PhD in Education from Harvard University

In summary, if you are accepted to several programs, you should choose the PhD program that is best for you: which program and department will best help you reach your career goals, support you throughout the PhD process and on the job market, and align with your personal needs and preferences? 

If you don’t get into any of your preferred programs, you have several options. If a PhD is required to achieve your career goals, consider spending a year improving your CV, GRE score, and research statement/statement of purpose and reapplying next year. If a PhD is preferred but not required to achieve your career goals, consider taking a job that can advance your career toward your goals while maintaining the option to seek a PhD later in your career.
 

Summary

This page contains links to various resources to assist you in the process of compiling an application to a master’s or PhD program. Here we list institutions, programs, and online resources that support and mentor prospective students interested in applying to economics graduate degree programs in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Europe. Many of these resources are tailored for African scholars, though most are not limited to African applicants.¹

Resources on compiling an application to a master’s or PhD program

Many of these have been found through posts on Twitter/X. The sources are linked next to each item. As these are sometimes documents within someone’s personal Google Drive or other cloud storage, links may break if files are moved. This is not a comprehensive list but rather can serve as a starting point in your search for these resources.

Personal statements and statements of purpose

• Personal statements for graduate school (Muneer Yaqub)
• Sample statement of purpose (Muneer Yaqub)
• Example statement of purpose (Muneer Yaqub)
• Sample graduate school statement of purpose three (PrepScholar)
• University of Connecticut English PhD statement of purpose 1 (University of Connecticut)
• Tips on writing a statement of purpose (Central European University’s Center for Academic Writing)
• Writing a statement of purpose letter for graduate school applications (Interactive Measurement Group)
• How to write a winning statement of purpose for graduate school (Muneer Yaqub)
• Top 10 tips for writing a statement of purpose (Drexel University)
• Statement of purpose (SOP) for PhD: Writing tips & format (Shiksha Study Abroad)
• Tweet thread by Chris Blattman on how to write a strong statement of purpose

CV

• Example of an academic CV (Johanson Chibuke Onyegbula)
• Academic CV samples and guide from the University of Illinois (Muneer Yaqub)
• Developing an academic CV from the University of Milwaukee (Muneer Yaqub)
• Career Services – CV from the University of Manitoba (Muneer Yaqub)
• How to write a strong CV for master’s or PhD (Muneer Yaqub)

GRE preparation

• GRE prep materials (Magoosh)
• GRE prep materials (Manhattan Prep)
• GRE prep materials (ETS)

General advice and assistance

Chris Blattman’s blog has a wide range of advice for people considering or currently enrolled in a PhD program. He provides helpful advice on everything from writing a statement of purpose, securing funding, the job market for PhD holders, predoctoral positions, applying to PhD programs, and much more. 

Graduate Applications International Network (GAIN) provides a range of resources related to choosing and applying to PhD as well as advice and ideas for ways to prepare for a PhD.

Mentoring resources and support

This section provides link and brief descriptions of institutions, programs, and online resources that support and mentor prospective students. This is not a comprehensive list but can serve as a starting point in your search for these forms of support.

Across regions

Graduate Applicants International Network (GAIN) supports prospective graduate students from all countries across Africa applying for excellent programs (both master’s and PhD) in economics and related fields (public policy, political science). GAIN supports graduate applicants through information sharing, mentoring, peer-to-peer support, and reduction of financial barriers, with the goal of strengthening the pipeline for African students into the Economics profession. They have a rich bank of resources you can check out here.

Project Access Africa is a network of students currently enrolled in schools in North America, the United Kingdom, and Europe who are paired with and mentor prospective African students to help them get into their dream master’s program. The universities where this program exists include Oxford, Cambridge, Yale, Bocconi, Stanford, London School of Economics, Columbia, University College London, Harvard, Sciences Po, Imperial College London, and King's College London.

Women in Economics Program is an initiative that matches women economists with mentors to provide advice on career advancement. The mentoring can be geared toward a professional career, academics, or more personal goals. They take applications once each year.

Effective Altruism (EA) Forum is an initiative at the Global Priorities Institute (GPI) for people in the EA community (or sympathetic to EA) who plan to apply to economics PhD programs at top programs in United States and European universities. It aims to provide support with the application process and help mentees establish relationships with like-minded aspiring economists. Mentors are Forethought Fellows or participants in GPI’s Early Career Conference Program. Forethought fellows are students or early postdocs who are conducting research in areas relevant to improving the wellbeing of future generations in the long term.

The Africa Graduate Mentorship and Coaching program (AGMCP) is a mentor-mentee network facilitated by the Interconnections for Making Africa Great Empowered and Sustainable (IMAGES) Initiative. It is designed for mentoring and coaching graduate-level students (master’s and PhD) between twenty and thirty years of age in Africa in the areas of research and professional development.

Advice for PhD Students in Economics. While many of the resources shared on this site target those already enrolled in a PhD, there are some that relate to the admissions process, research assistantships and mentoring programs.

The African Economic Research Consortium (AERC) is a capacity-building institution working on research, training and policy outreach for economic development on the continent. AERC’s flagship training program (PhD and master’s) is designed to build a community of locally trained economists. They also offer topical workshops, visiting scholar and attachment programs and ongoing grant opportunities. Follow @AERCAFRICA on Twitter/X for the latest updates.

Association for the Advancement of African Women Economists (AAAWE) is focused on capacity and skill building for female African economists, including networking, mentoring, and assisting members in obtaining grants, fellowships, and internships; and facilitating knowledge sharing among members.

Economists at the International Growth Centre (Rahma Ahmed, Rania Nasir, and Nikita Sharma) have put together a curated list of resources for Black and other underrepresented minorities in economics, including mentorship, professional, funding, and other opportunities.

United Kingdom and Europe

Applicant Mentorship Program (AMP) aims to help applicants from underrepresented backgrounds prepare their applications to Economics PhD programs by matching applicants to mentors who are PhD students in the Economics departments at Cambridge, London School of Economics, Oxford, University College London, and Warwick.

African Society of Cambridge University aims to provide general guidance and support on the postgraduate application process for Africans applying to the University of Cambridge. The program includes one-to-one mentorship support with a matched current student or alumni. This program is not targeted toward Economics only; it applies to all post-graduate programs at Cambridge University. There is limited financial support for application fees as needed.

PhD mentorship program is a two-month series of workshops and meetings that helps students to define career goals and the steps needed to achieve them, meet with scientists and researchers from various fields (and at different stages of their careers) who share their experience and advice, and network with their peers. While this program primarily focuses on women, men are also welcome, as most workshop topics are universal. It targets those planning to enroll in a PhD program at a Czech university.

The Black Economist Network is dedicated to providing a platform through which professionals and students of African and Caribbean descent in economics and related fields can connect, collaborate, share ideas and support each other. They host monthly events that allow members to connect physically or virtually, they have a WhatsApp / Slack group to debate and discuss issues related to economics, mentorship and avenues for sharing opportunities.

North America

Duke University, Department of Economics Graduate Mentorship Program aims to help applicants from under-represented backgrounds in the field prepare their applications to Economics PhD programs by matching them to mentors in the Duke Economics PhD program.

MIT Application Assistance and Mentoring Program (AAMP) aims to help students from underrepresented groups connect with a graduate student mentor in MIT or Harvard’s PhD Economics programs. The AAMP aims to increase the pipeline of diverse talent in Economics PhD programs and welcomes participation from all groups underrepresented in Economics.

Research in Color Foundation (RIC) is dedicated to increasing the number of PhD students of color in economics and economics-adjacent disciplines and amplifying meaningful economic and policy research on communities of color. RIC does this by matching minorities looking to pursue doctoral degrees in these fields with seasoned professionals who will serve as mentors. Besides identifying research ideas, and exploring additional needs before embarking on a PhD program, each mentor-mentee pair will have a chance to work together on a short six-month-long independent research project. They plan to meet the additional needs of the mentees, such as application costs (including test registration, preparation, and application fees), which add up to a substantial amount that can be prohibitive for low-income students. Lastly, they will offer the mentees an opportunity to present their research projects to their mentors and other interested parties at our annual conference.

The Association for Mentoring and Inclusion in Economics (AMIE) was established to identify and address outcome disparities for junior scholars in economics via a mentorship program for underrepresented minorities, first-generation or nationalities outside the United States focusing on capacity building and advice, long-term mentorship, awareness raising on mental health, providing opportunities to present work, provision of scholarships and conference travel, among others. Find their latest updates on Twitter/X @econmentoring.

The Economics Mentoring Program (EMP) is a student-run program aiming to help students from underrepresented groups connect with a graduate student mentor in Duke, Harvard, MIT, or Stanford’s PhD economics programs. The mentors can provide advice on graduate school and fellowship applications, as well as information about economics research and life as a PhD student or in an academic career, for students deciding whether a PhD in economics is the right choice for them. They have a rich range of resources for application and opportunities that you can check out here. 

The Sadie Collective aims to address the pipeline and pathway problem for Black women in economics and related fields through bringing together Black women at different career stages to share resources, network, receive mentorship, professional development, and advocate for broader visibility in the field.

Also see the J-PAL resource about navigating the PhD application process. It has some good practical advice and links to a plethora of additional resources.

J-PAL staff has also compiled very useful, practical advice from affiliates and recent PhDs on deciding if a PhD if right for you and choosing a PhD program.

Summary

This resource contains a list of scholarships for graduate studies in economics (and related fields) at North American and European universities available to African students. It is by no means an exhaustive list but can serve as a guide and starting point in your search for funding opportunities. Many of these resources are tailored for African scholars, though most are not limited to African applicants.¹

United Kindgom

African Oxford Initiative (AfOx) Graduate Scholarships aim to provide outstanding African graduates the opportunity to undertake a fully funded master’s degree at the University of Oxford. Going beyond providing course fees and living costs, the AfOx scholarships deliver tailor made training programs, networking opportunities and support for students before, during, and following their time at Oxford.

Chevening Scholarships are fully funded scholarships and fellowships to individuals with ideas to create positive change and are funded by the UK government. The scholarship is for master’s level only across a wide range of disciplines. To be eligible for Chevening you must return to your country of citizenship for a minimum of two years after your award has ended.

Clarendon Fund Scholarships at University of Oxford is a major graduate scholarship scheme at the University of Oxford, offering around 140 new scholarships every year. Clarendon Scholarships are awarded on the basis of academic excellence and potential across all degree-bearing subjects at graduate level at the University of Oxford.

Gates Cambridge Scholarships for international students are awarded to outstanding applicants from countries outside the United Kingdom to pursue a full-time post-graduate degree in any subject at the University of Cambridge.

Nottingham Developing Solutions Scholarships are designed for international students from Africa, India, or one of the selected Commonwealth countries who want to pursue a master’s degree at the University of Nottingham and make a difference to the development of their home country. Priority is given to those who have not previously studied outside of their home country. The scholarship award covers 50–100 percent of tuition fees.

Rhodes Scholarships are fully funded, full-time, post-graduate awards that enable talented young people from around the world to study at the University of Oxford. While it is open to young applicants from all over the world, you can check the eligibility criteria.

University of Bristol offers fifteen scholarships of £6,500 per year and two scholarships of £13,000 per year which must be used toward the cost of tuition fees for a one-year master's program in the School of Economics. These scholarships are for international students only.  

Warwick Chancellor’s International Scholarships are allocated annually via a combined post-graduate research scholarship competition and are open to all International and European Union students in any PhD program offered at Warwick.

Europe

Campus France is a rich resource for any prospective students of French universities, with information on admissions, scholarships, and life in France. It contains information on various scholarships available to international students. The Eiffel Scholarship, in particular, is for exceptional master’s and PhD students. 

Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s Scholarships are available for students enrolling in the Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s, a high-level and integrated study program designed and delivered by an international partnership of higher education institutions (HEI). They involve at least three HEI from three different countries, of which at least two must be European Union Member States and third countries associated with the Program. Scholarships cover the cost of a student’s participation in the program, travel, and a living allowance.

Heinrich Boll Scholarships in Germany for international students are awarded to international students who gained their university entrance qualification from a school outside of Germany who wish to study a master’s or PhD degree in Germany. 

The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) offers scholarships aimed primarily at graduates, doctoral students, and post-docs and are awarded for study and research visits to universities and non-university research institutions in Germany. In some programs, internships are also funded. DAAD awards One-Year Research Grants for Doctoral Candidates for PhD students from most countries. A grant for a full doctoral program in Germany is offered primarily to applicants from low- and middle-income countries.

Italian Government Scholarships for international students offered by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation offers grants in favor of foreign citizens not residing in Italy as well as Italian citizens living abroad. Grants are offered to pursue study, training, and/or research programs at Italian higher education institutes, both public and legally recognized.

The University of Oslo offers several scholarships to students already enrolled in their Master’s in Economics program, depending on their research interest areas. 

IRO Doctoral Scholarship Program at Katholieke Universiteit Leuven offers annual scholarships to postgraduate students of merit from developing countries to pursue their PhD in KU Leuven. The scholarship provides a fee waiver, traveling expenses for the family, a one-time installation allowance and a monthly stipend as well as social security coverage. The application deadline is 10 November.

United States

The American Association of University Women awards International Fellowships for full-time study or research in the United States to women who are not United States citizens or permanent residents. Both graduate and post-graduate studies at accredited institutions are supported.

The American Economics Association keeps a list of funding opportunities and resources available for graduate school. 

Columbia University’s Economics PhD program offers multi-year financial aid packages to admitted students, including fellowships and appointments to teaching and/or research positions. PhD students receive an annual stipend, tuition, and health fees for five years if they remain in good academic standing. After year five, requests for additional funding are considered on a case-by-case basis. All incoming students are encouraged to apply for outside fellowships upon admittance.

The Department of Economics at Georgetown University awards financial aid in the form of full tuition, yearly health insurance, and a fellowship or service stipend to all PhD students up to the conclusion of the fifth year in the program. 

The Duke University Graduate School and the Economics Department provide full funding for PhD students through the fifth year, including tuition, mandatory fees, health and dental insurance, and 12-month stipends. Of the approximately 17 new Economics PhD students each year, 90 percent or more are fully funded for a sixth year, so long as they remain in good academic standing, and the remainder are either supported by external funding sources or are self-supported. In addition, travel fellowships are available for graduate student travel to conferences and seminars.

The Economic Growth Center and the International and Development Economics program at Yale University offers a Sub-Saharan African Student Scholarship for their master’s program.  

The Fulbright Foreign Student Program enables graduate students, young professionals, and artists from abroad to study and conduct research in the United States. The Fulbright Foreign Student Program operates in more than 160 countries worldwide. Approximately 4,000 foreign students receive Fulbright scholarships each year. 

Iowa State University PhD Economics program offers an assistantship (20 hours/week) with a living expense stipend. Assistantship appointments are renewable annually for five years for PhD students, provided the student makes satisfactory academic progress and performs duties in an acceptable manner. In addition to the stipend, students on assistantship who maintain a 3.0 GPA are also granted a Graduate College Tuition Scholarship offsetting all or part of resident tuition. Students on assistantship also receive health insurance.

The Knight-Hennessy Scholars program at Stanford University accepts applicants from all countries who are talented individuals across several disciplines. Knight-Hennessy scholars receive funding for up to three years for any graduate degree at Stanford. It covers a fellowship applied directly to cover tuition and associated fees, a stipend for living and academic expenses, and a travel grant intended to cover an economy-class ticket for one annual trip to and from Stanford.

Princeton University’s Economics PhD program provides all admitted PhD students with tuition and fellowship support for the academic year. Admitted students also receive fellowship support through the summer months so they can continue their studies and research when classes are not in session. The Economics Department at Princeton does not offer a master’s degree.

Notre Dame University’s graduate school offers three types of primary educational funding to graduate students: tuition scholarships, assistantships, and fellowships. The university additionally supports students’ pursuit of external and internal awards through the Office of Grants and Fellowships. Almost 100% of students in the Graduate School receive full-tuition scholarships that include all fees except for a small student activity fee.  

Tufts University Department of Economics has a couple of funding options for graduate students: the Henken Family Endowed Graduate Research Fund and the Graduate Economics Thesis Research Scholarship. The latter is only for master’s students. 

Williams College Center for Development Economics offers a Master’s in Policy Economics where 100 percent of students admitted have received full or partial scholarships. This funding comes from multiple sources and some of it is funded directly by the university. Priority for Williams College funding is given to those who have actively sought third-party funding.

University of Washington Graduate School offers several funding opportunities for graduate students, including for their PhD Economics program. They come in the form of graduate student assistantships, fellowships, and grants which cover full tuition fees.

Western Michigan University offers graduate assistantships for up to four years for economics PhD students. International students are awarded funding generally through graduate appointments or grants and fellowships. These can be for offsetting tuition, research, travel expenses, or other fees. 

Johns Hopkins University maintains a living database of funding opportunities for graduate students in the United States across all disciplines. 

Canada

Connought International Scholarship is a scholarship that aims to support international students, enrolling in a doctoral program at the University of Toronto. The scholarship is based on the nomination process conducted by the University of Toronto during the winter admission session. It is a cost-sharing initiative designed to assist graduate units in recruiting and supporting top international students by providing a top-up scholarship to each recipient, which will be paid in addition to the program’s normal funding package provided by the graduate unit. International students who are offered admission to a full-time doctoral program and are not currently registered in a degree program at the University of Toronto
are eligible. Interested applicants should contact their prospective graduate unit when applying for admission. 

McGill University lists all the funding options available to PhD students at McGill, the eligibility criteria, and the field of study they apply to. 

Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Scholarships is for those accepted or registered in a full-time doctoral program (candidates in first or second year), who are conducting research in the humanities or social sciences. The annual value is up to $60,000 per scholar (including an annual travel allowance of $20,000) for up to three years. 

Tomlinson Doctoral Fellowships are awarded annually by Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies to recruit outstanding students into doctoral degree programs at McGill. Only applicants with a first-class academic record (3.7 GPA or 3.5 GPA in Law, in each of the last two years of full-time study at the undergraduate and post-graduate level) will be considered.

Canadian Francophonie Scholarship Program (CFSP) is a scholarship program designed to build institutional capacities by training employed nationals from developing countries of La Francophonie. Institutions targeted by recipient countries conduct internal recruitment campaigns to identify qualified candidates who show the greatest aptitude for helping strengthen their institution’s capacities when they return to their country. Candidates identified and selected may apply for university studies leading to a master’s and doctoral degree, for technical and vocational training, or for short-term internships.
 

Other scholarships

The Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship Program targets Africans from Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania to offer a limited number of scholarships each year for post-graduate studies to outstanding students who have no other means of financing their studies.  Scholarships are awarded on a 50 percent grant : 50 percent loan basis through a competitive application process once a year. The Foundation gives priority to requests for master’s level courses but is willing to consider applications for PhD programs. Funding for PhD programs is only provided for the first two years of study, after which the students are expected to find alternative sources of assistance. Preference is given to students under 30 years of age.

Margaret McNamara Education Grants (MMEG) is a nonprofit, public charity that awards education grants to exceptional women from low- and middle-income countries. MMEG has been working to empower women by supporting their education so that they can build a better world. Grantees have focused on diverse fields of study, including engineering, information technologies, health, science, education, social studies, and law. Please see here for the eligibility criteria.

National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS) sponsors master’s and PhD students to attend GRIPS in Tokyo, Japan. See here for more information.

Rotary Foundation Global Scholarship Grants for Development funds graduate-level coursework or research for one to four academic years. It can be applied for at any approved university located in a country where there is a host Rotary club or district outside of the applicant’s home country. The minimum budget for a global grant scholarship is $30,000, which can fund the following: passport/visa; inoculations; travel expenses; school supplies; tuition, room and board; household supplies; and language training courses (but not if university admission is contingent on improvement of language skills). Most personal and miscellaneous expenses are not covered by the scholarship funding.

The World Bank Development Economics Vice Presidency offers the Joint Japan World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program (JJWBGSP) which is open to citizens of certain developing countries with relevant professional experience and a history of supporting their countries’ development efforts who are applying to a master’s program in a development-related topic. Subject to available funding, JJWBGSP offers scholarships for 53 participating programs at universities in the United States, Europe, Africa, Oceania, and Japan in key areas of development, including economic policy management, tax policy, and infrastructure management. Learn more here.
 

Scholarship databases and lists

Africademics is a scholarship platform and community for African students and scholars that shares scholarships, advice and success stories to empower young leaders, and increase access to higher education for African youth. See the scholarships directory here, and search for specific scholarships through their database here.

Collegedunia is a site designed to help students from India find universities, scholarships, and other relevant information for universities all over the world. A lot of the information here may be useful for African students. 

Compiled list of economics scholarships and fellowship at ARMACAD is a platform for students, scholars, scientists, and parents to search and find scholarships, summer schools, grants, fully funded conferences, trainings, seminars, and other study and research opportunities worldwide. These are updated and include opportunities across disciplines. 

Scholars4Dev has lists of scholarships, grants, and fellowships for international students, across different disciplines.

The Opportunities Portal provides links to scholarship, internship and conference opportunities aimed at global students and scholars.

This Twitter/X thread by Dr Ruch lists a combination of Masters and PhD scholarships across many disciplines that Zimbabweans (and many other Africans) are eligible for.

Summary

This resource contains a list of institutions and programs that offer pre-doctoral positions (pre-docs) or research assistantships (RA-ships), which are typically full-time jobs supporting faculty research that lasts one to two years. These positions are particularly helpful for people who are considering a PhD but are not completely sure they're ready or that a PhD is what they want. This is not a comprehensive list but rather can serve as a starting point in your search for these positions. Many of these resources are tailored for African scholars, though most are not limited to African applicants.¹

General information on pre-doctoral programs

The Economics Pre-Doctoral Fellowship: What is it, and should you apply for one? This article on Medium (published in the Renaissance Economist) explores what exactly pre-doctoral fellowships are, what to consider before applying for one, why they were established, the current landscape in the economics research field, what the data on successful candidates looks like, and links to other research on the efficacy of research assistant positions in preparing students for a PhD in economics. 

Women in Economics and Policy Pre-doc and RA positions guide describes in detail how to put together a strong application for a pre-doctoral position including a CV guide, the type of data test applicants need to take, and interview tips. It also tackles several frequently asked questions. 

Across regions

The National Bureau of Economics Research has two pages posting full-time job listings. The Research Assistant Positions – not at the NBER page lists full-time jobs associated with research projects led by NBER-affiliated researchers, but which do not involve employment through NBER. The Research Assistant Positions – at NBER page lists similar positions that do involve NBER employment. The positions listed may be suitable for bachelor's degree candidates, graduate students, or post-docs. Positions typically have an expected duration of one to three years, and often give priority to candidates who are planning to continue to the next stage of their academic career upon completion of the position. The non-NBER positions are more likely to be open to international applicants. 

Econ RA Listings is a Twitter account that retweets research assistant (RA) openings for economists at various institutions in the nonprofit sector, academic institutions, and parastatals from all over the globe. They also retweet individual professors looking for RAs. 

The Sadie Collective aims to address the pipeline and pathway problem for Black women in economics and related fields through bringing together Black women at different career stages to share resources, network, receive mentorship, professional development, and advocate for broader visibility in the field.

North America

Pathways to Research and Doctoral Careers (PREDOC) is a consortium of universities and research institutions whose mission is to foster a talented and diverse population of researchers in the quantitative social sciences, with a particular focus on pre-doctoral programs in business and economics. PREDOC posts pre-docs and RAships at institutions across the United States.

The Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University offers a limited number of research fellow opportunities. These are full-time staff positions that last either one or two years, during which the Fellows gain exposure to current academic research at Kellogg as well as hands-on experience assisting those projects. These are excellent opportunities for anyone who is considering applying to a PhD in a discipline related to business research. They are interested in attracting pre-doctoral candidates from all parts of the world and can sponsor J-1 visas if necessary. 

The Pre-Doctoral Research in Economics Program at the Becker Friedman Institute for Economics at the University of Chicago is intended to serve as a bridge between undergraduate and graduate school for students interested in empirical economics. The program offers unique research and professional training opportunities. The program is very interested in attracting African candidates, provides visa support, and has a well-developed infrastructure to support applicants who need work authorization.

The Tobin Center Economics Pre-Doctoral Fellows Program at Yale University supports policy-relevant economics research by providing a high-quality education and training experience for individuals with bachelor’s or master’s degrees who are considering pursuing a PhD in economics or closely related discipline. An important part of the mission of this program is to increase diversity, equity, and inclusion in economics. They encourage prospective applicants from Africa to apply and can sponsor pre-docs on J-1 visas. 

The Economics Pre-Doctoral Research Fellowship Program at the Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research is a full-time, one- to two-year post-baccalaureate program designed to prepare individuals wishing to gain valuable training toward a career in academic research in economics or public policy. Fellows are appointed as non-matriculated graduate students and have the opportunity to fully engage in the intellectual life at Stanford University. The fellowship offers tuition, health insurance, and a living stipend. The Program is able to sponsor J-1 visas for fellows who may need one. The King Center, which is part of SIEPR, has a new pre-doctoral program and they can sponsor J-1 visas as well.

Pre-doctoral research assistant positions at the Princeton University International Economics Section are one-year term positions with the possibility of renewal for a second year, contingent upon continued funding and satisfactory performance. Successful candidates will gain experience working with some of the world’s leading researchers in international economics. Pre-doctoral research assistants are expected to assemble and manage data sets, to program and simulate non-linear models, and to assist faculty members in all aspects of their research.

The Pre-Doctoral Training Program at the Population Studies and Training Center of Brown University provides a demography training program for pre-doctoral graduate students in affiliated departments, including anthropology, economics, sociology, and public health. This is made available through the International Fellowship for international trainees. 

The Kabir Banerjee Pre-Doctoral Fellowship seeks to expand the representation of researchers from low- and lower-middle-income countries in leading pre-doctoral programs. Successful candidates will receive Weiss Fund endorsement in applying to pre-approved two-year pre-doctoral research positions at leading universities. The fellowship supports candidates with substantial interest and potential for success in an academic career in development economics who otherwise may have limited access to mentorship and training from leading economists.

Opportunity Insights is a non-partisan, not-for-profit organization based at Harvard University. It conducts scientific research using “big data” on how to improve upward mobility and works collaboratively with local stakeholders to translate these research findings into policy change. They also train the next generation of social scientists and practitioners to improve opportunity for all. They are recruiting full time pre-doctoral fellows to join their research team. 

Europe

Inomics is a site that collates various career opportunities in the European Union (EU) for economists at all levels of training from internships, consultancy positions, research assistantships, PhD candidates, post-docs and professors. Most of the RA positions are at universities in EU member states.

Predoctoral Research Fellows in Economics at the University of Oxford’s Global Priorities Institute (GPI) conduct economics research within guidelines provided by the Assistant Director of GPI, as well as contributing to the planning of the GPI’s economics research and the organizational development of their research group. They also provide research assistance to GPI researchers and faculty in the Department of Economics. For research assistance, they will try to match pre-doctoral research fellows with a faculty member at the Department of Economics at Oxford with related research interests, or with another economist affiliated with GPI.

The University of Zurich’s Pre-Doc Program at the Department of Economics is a great opportunity for students to see if a career in economics and academic research is right for them and to prepare them for a PhD in economics. The program targets individuals with a bachelor’s or master’s degree in economics, social sciences, public policy, mathematics, statistics, or a related field. Applicants should have a strong quantitative background, be considering pursuing a PhD in economics, and have an interest in learning cutting-edge research methods.

Positions at non-university institutions

American Institute for Economic Research (AIER)’s graduate fellowships are twelve-week programs for graduate students who are working in areas that advance AIER’s mission: to affirm free enterprise, economic liberty, property rights, sound money, and legal institutions that shore up the rights of individuals to be free to the extent that their actions do not impinge on the rights of others. Each graduate fellow is expected to make substantive headway on a project, such as a dissertation or thesis, that will directly advance their academic studies.

The Busara Center for Behavioral Economics is a leading behavioral science organization headquartered in Kenya that believes in a world where evidence-based and context-specific solutions are routinely implemented to address the world’s most pressing problems. You can find opportunities here. Experience with Busara is an asset when applying to an economics PhD program, especially if you are interested in behavioral economics.

Innovations for Poverty Action is a global research and policy nonprofit that discovers and promotes effective solutions to global poverty problems by bringing together researchers and decision-makers. Their work relies heavily on researchers conducting randomized evaluations and so often requires research assistants and associates to help with this work. The experience gained here has proven valuable in making former researcher assistants’ PhD applications stand out. 

The Robert S. McNamara PhD Research Fellowship is aimed at pre-docs from developing countries who are World Bank members. Applicants are required to have a master’s or be enrolled in a PhD in economics, public policy, political science, data science, statistics, international development, sociology, or mathematics. The program will sponsor a US G-4 visa for successful applicants.