PhD Dissertation Fellow Program, Economic Research; Summer

PhD Dissertation Fellow Program, Economic Research (Summer 2026)

Join to apply for the PhD Dissertation Fellow Program, Economic Research (Summer 2026) role at Federal Reserve Board
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Current Ph.D. candidate in economics or finance, in or nearing ABD (all but dissertation) status. We find that fourth- and fifth-year students gain the most from this type of fellowship. Occasionally, a third-year student is far enough along on their dissertation to benefit from the program.

Students with specialties drawn from a broad range of topics in economics and finance, including, among others: behavioral economics; econometrics and data science; economic measurement; financial institutions and markets; financial stability and macroprudential policy; foreign economies; international trade and finance; industrial organization; labor; macroeconomics; monetary economics; microeconomics; payment systems; and public economics.

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The Federal Reserve Board is committed to attracting, developing, and retaining a talented workforce, drawing candidates with interests in a broad range of topics in economics and finance. We offer paid, in-residence fellowships for graduate Ph.D. students to conduct research at the Board in Washington, D.C. While at the Board, fellows work on a topic of their own choosing, usually furthering dissertation research begun before the fellowship, and give 2 seminars on their work.

Fellows are also encouraged to participate in our extensive seminar series, collaborate with Board economists, and to learn more about preparing for the economist job market. Fellows are at the Board for 12 weeks and placements are in the Divisions of Financial Stability, International Finance, Monetary Affairs, and Research and Statistics. The fellowship is an in-residence program hosted in our Washington, D.C. offices.

Relevant specialties in economics and finance include, among others: behavioral economics; econometrics and data science; economic measurement; financial institutions and markets; financial stability and macroprudential policy; foreign economies; international trade and finance; industrial organization; labor; macroeconomics; monetary economics; microeconomics; payment systems; and public economics.

Applicants must be a current Ph.D. student in economics or finance, graduating fall 2026 or later.

Attach the following to your profile and submit your application by February 1.

• Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• One page description of proposed research or work from thesis
• Graduate Transcript (unofficial is okay)
• Two (2) letters of reference
  • Attach to your profile if you have a copy [OR]
  • If your recommender would like their letter to remain confidential, they can send it to dissertationfellows
• Optional:
  Work sample from thesis or any other well-developed research

Citizenship is not required; however, candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States (i.e. CPT/OPT sponsorship) and citizenship may be a consideration.

Find more information about the program on our FAQs page, and you can learn more about our Seminar Series and Board economists and their research.