CSMGEP: Mentoring Program

The AEA Mentoring Program (AEAMP) was established in 1998 to address the underrepresentation of minorities among those entering and/or completing doctorate degrees in economics and to diversify the composition of the economics profession through mentoring and research and professional development opportunities. The program pairs traditionally underrepresented doctoral students and recent graduates with academic mentors in their field and facilitates networking between students at all stages and more senior economists.

Participation is limited to three years, with the possibility of renewal conditional upon an active relationship with a mentor. Participants may receive funds toward research-related travel as well as travel and registration costs for the ASSA annual meeting.

One of the signature activities of the AEAMP is the Summer Mentoring Pipeline Conference, which brings together mentoring program participants, their mentors, other academics, and the students attending the AEA Summer Program. The conference helps mentees to build networks and a sense of belonging to a wider community beyond their home institutions.

Applying to the Program

Applications to the AEAMP will be accepted from January 15 to February 15 each year.

PhD students accepted into the AEAMP are eligible to apply for funding to support research and travel. The allocation of travel and research funds is oriented toward those activities that increase the probability of producing high quality journal articles.

Those awarded grants must submit a report of their activities to the AEAMP within one month of completing the activity.

Depending on funding availability, additional requests may also be considered after these deadlines.

Research Activity Prioritization

Activity types are grouped below in descending level of prioritization (with no. 1 being the highest).

1.

• Presentation of papers at the AEA/ASSA annual meetings or major “regional” economics conferences (Southern, Eastern, Western, and Mid-Western).
• Participation in a major scholarly conference or seminar oriented toward skill enhancement (for example, the NBER Summer Institute, the PSID workshop, NSF workshops, seminars on recent advances in a specific area of research).
• Participation in all of the AEA Mentoring Program’s slate of activities at the AEA/ASSA annual meetings: (1) Meeting with your mentor or other senior-level economists to discuss research for at least two hours; (2) Participate in the Joint CSMGEP/NEA/ASHE Reception; (3) Attend the CSMGEP Dissertation Session; and (4) Attend any three additional sessions sponsored by CSMGEP, the NEA, or ASHE. (Contact the Director of the Mentoring Program for the specific times/dates.)

2.

• Travel to do research with the mentor;
• Participating as discussants, chairing a session, or presenting posters at the AEA/ASSA annual meetings or major “regional” economics conferences;
• Presentation of papers at national or regional conferences other than the AEA/ASSA annual meetings and major “regional” economics conferences (Southern, Eastern, Western, and Mid-Western).

3.

• Travel to do research with a co-author at another institution.
• Attendance at the AEA/ASSA annual meetings or major “regional” economics conferences (Southern, Eastern, Western, and Mid-Western);
• Purchase data that are not otherwise available but critical for the research;
• Limited travel expenses while engaged in research, such as traveling to collect data.

Join the AEAMP Email List!

Mentees, mentors, and friends are invited to join the email list of the Economics Mentoring Program. To do so, please contact AEAMentoring@gmail.com. Please include "Econ Mentoring Program" in the subject.