AEA Summer Program
The AEA Summer Program (AEASP) was established in 1974 to prepare talented undergraduates from underrepresented groups for doctoral programs in economics and related disciplines. A greater diversity of backgrounds in the profession helps to shape the focus and scope of leading professional scholarship. With a goal of broadening participation in the field, the AEASP enables students to prepare for the rigors of graduate studies—particularly at the PhD level—by providing two months of intensive training in microeconomics, math, econometrics, and research methods with leading faculty. The AEASP culminates with the AEA Summer Program Research Conference, where students present the original research they've conducted during the eight-week program to faculty, mentors, and invited guests.
Important Dates
• Program runs May 31–July 23, 2027.
• Application deadline: January 31, 2027.
Host Institution
Following a national competition, the AEA selected American University to host the AEASP from 2026 to 2028.
American University (AU) is a nationally-recognized, student-centered, research university in beautiful northwest Washington, DC. It is committed to advancing knowledge and preparing students to lead meaningful lives in a complex and changing world. The university's College of Arts and Sciences brings together a diverse student body from across the globe to engage in rigorous study with renowned scholars across the arts, humanities, sciences, and social sciences.
Founded by an Act of Congress in 1893, AU has awarded more than 130,000 degrees and certificates to students who have gone on to make an impact in the world. It features eight schools and offers more than 170 academic programs. Highlights of AU’s impact include:
- Consistently ranked among the top universities for political engagement and internships by The Princeton Review.
- Top producer of Fulbright Students and Scholars.
- Ranked among the top universities in study abroad, undergraduate teaching, and undergraduate research in the US News and World Report.
- The first university in the country to achieve carbon neutrality, AU consistently ranks among the top green colleges in the nation.
View Past Host Institution and Participants
Housing and Funding
The program is an all-inclusive package covering tuition, fees, living expenses, transportation (including travel to and from Washington, DC), books, and program excursion costs. All eligible participants will receive a $3,250 stipend upon successful program completion.
Participants are provided with a private bedroom in a two-, three-, or four-person apartment. Each apartment has a shared bathroom, kitchen, and common area. The building features a multipurpose community room, air conditioning, wi-fi, and 24-hour desk service. Laundry facilities are available on each floor.
Access to the university's all-you-can-eat dining facility, fitness center, libraries, and shuttle services are included. Other American University summer dining options are also available as part of the program.
All US citizens and permanent residents are eligible to apply. Preference will be given to applicants who, by their background, life experience, and scholarship, can show that they will bring greater diversity to the field and who also demonstrate financial need.
Eligibility
To be considered for the AEASP, students must:
- Be a US citizen or a permanent resident of the United States.
- Be enrolled in or a recent graduate of a degree-granting program.
- Have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher (on a 4.0 scale) in relevant courses.
- Have taken calculus, statistics, and an intermediate microeconomics course.
- Have a strong interest in pursuing a doctoral degree.
Applicants will be required to supply the following:
- College/University Fall 2026 transcript(s).
- Two (2) letters of recommendation with a minimum of one (1) from faculty.
- Two short-essay responses. (The questions are provided in the application.)
- Resumé.
Contact the AEASP
Dr. Kara Reynolds, Professor and Director of the AEA Summer Program
American University
Department of Economics
4400 Massachusetts Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20016
(202) 885-3768
More Information at American University FAQ