Summer Funding

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS: PhD SUMMER RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP

DEADLINE: Wednesday, March 25th, 2026

The Department of Economics seeks requests for proposals to support graduate student research activities that contribute to the timely completion of their field papers and dissertations. Proposals must be vetted and approved by an advisor (the faculty member chairing the student’s Committee on Studies or Dissertation Committee).

Eligibility is restricted to applicants who:

• Are pursuing a PhD
• Received UNM or UNMH funding in the Fall of 2025 or the Spring of 2026
• In their 2^nd – 5^th year of the program and making normal progress:
  • 2^nd year students have passed the Core and Econometrics exams.
  • 3^rd year students ideally will have completed their research requirement by the end of the spring semester. Students who have started on a well-defined research requirement project will also be eligible.
  • 4^th year students have completed their research requirement, assembled a dissertation committee, and begun data work for at least one dissertation project.
  • 5^th year students will have completed at least one dissertation chapter and plan to go on the job market in the fall.

Terms and deliverables:

• Fellows will receive $3,000, paid as a scholarship.
• Fellows are expected to devote 123 hours to fellowship activities.
• Fellows must deliver to the department a 48” x 36” pdf poster file that presents the research project supported by this Fellowship by August 3rd, 2026.
  • The poster must be approved by the fellow’s advisor.
  • The department will print the posters.
  • Fellows will present their posters in-person during Economics Research Day on Friday, August 14th, 2026.
  • Faculty will review the posters and award up to three cash prizes.
• During the 2026-2027 Academic Year, fellows must commit to presenting their poster at a regional or national conference OR at a UNM research event, including R&D week in November and/or the Graduate Studies Poster Show in March.

Application materials:

• Complete the application form. The form allows you to upload pdf files of your CV and proposal.
• See https://careerdevelopment.princeton.edu/guides/resume-cv-cover-letter-diversity-statement/building-your-cv-guide-graduate-students for a useful guide. The Graduate Coordinator also has examples she can share with you.
• 2-page (900-1000 word) proposal composed of:
  • Brief summary of your research requirement or dissertation. Please include the motivation for your topic (why it matters).
  • Overview of progress already made on your research requirement or dissertation, or whether you are just beginning.
  • Description of summer project and how it will contribute to your field paper or dissertation.
  • Goals for what you hope to accomplish on the project this summer.
  • Advisor review and signature. Include the following text at the end of your proposal and have your advisor sign:

I have reviewed the fellowship expectations and deliverables and my advisee’s application materials, which consist of a CV and this proposal. If awarded, I agree to oversee the fellow’s proposed activities and to review and approve the poster that the fellow must submit to the department by August 3rd.