Yale University Tobin Pre-Doctoral Fellows Program 2027–2028: Paid Research Fellowship in the USA

The Tobin Center for Economic Policy / Economics Pre-Doctoral Fellows Program at Yale University is accepting applications for its 2027–2028 cohort. This prestigious research opportunity is designed for talented graduates who wish to gain advanced academic research experience before pursuing a PhD in economics or a closely related discipline.

Based at Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut, the program provides fellows with the opportunity to work closely with leading faculty members on policy-relevant economic research. Fellows join a diverse academic community of approximately 70 pre-doctoral researchers and contribute to research projects addressing critical economic and social challenges.

The program is particularly suitable for recent bachelor’s and master’s degree graduates interested in pursuing doctoral studies at leading universities in the United States and internationally.

Benefits of the Yale Tobin Pre-Doctoral Fellowship

Selected fellows receive a range of academic and professional benefits, including:

• Competitive salary: Full-time paid research employment at Yale University.
• Health insurance: Standard Yale University employee benefits, including health coverage.
• Visa sponsorship: Yale sponsors J-1 visas for eligible international candidates.
• Research mentorship: Direct supervision and mentorship from Yale faculty members.
• Advanced research training: Practical experience in empirical economics, econometrics, and policy research.
• Academic coursework: Opportunities to audit one course per semester at Yale without tuition, subject to instructor permission.
• Professional development: Weekly seminars, research workshops, and career development activities.
• Research collaboration: Opportunities to work alongside faculty, graduate students, and other pre-doctoral fellows.
• PhD preparation: Experience and mentorship to strengthen future doctoral applications.
• Academic networking: Access to Yale’s interdisciplinary research community and professional network.

This is a paid, full-time research position, not a traditional scholarship. Fellows receive salary and employment benefits rather than a separate fellowship stipend.

Research Areas

The Tobin Center supports a wide range of policy-relevant research projects. Depending on available positions and faculty requirements, fellows may work in areas such as:

Development and Experimental Economics

Research on economic inclusion, gender equality, poverty reduction, climate policy, and development challenges in South Asia and East Africa.

Health Economics

Research examining healthcare access, health insurance, medical spending, public health policy, and healthcare delivery systems.

Environmental and Energy Economics

Research on climate change, environmental policy, energy markets, and sustainability.

Housing and Urban Economics

Research on housing markets, urban development, public policy, and household behavior.

Public Economics and Social Policy

Research on taxation, government spending, social safety nets, public finance, and economic inequality.

Data-Driven Economic Research

Research using large administrative datasets, econometric methods, statistical programming, and machine learning.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants should generally meet the following requirements:

• Education: A bachelor’s or master’s degree in economics, mathematics, statistics, data science, computer science, public policy, international development, finance, or another relevant quantitative field.
• Academic preparation: Strong academic performance and substantial coursework in economics, mathematics, statistics, or quantitative research.
• Research interest: Demonstrated interest in pursuing a PhD in economics or a closely related discipline.
• Technical skills: Experience with statistical programming languages such as Stata, R, Python, MATLAB, or similar tools.
• Analytical ability: Strong quantitative, problem-solving, and critical-thinking skills.
• Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Availability: Ability to work full-time on campus in New Haven, Connecticut.

Applicants from international backgrounds are encouraged to apply. Yale sponsors J-1 visas for accepted international candidates, unless otherwise specified in an individual project description.

Required Application Documents

Applicants must submit the following materials as a single PDF in the specified order:

1. Cover letter: Explain your motivation, relevant faculty projects, availability, preferred fellowship duration (one or two years), programming experience, and previous research experience. Include contact information for two to three references.
2. Resume or CV: Include education, academic achievements, research experience, employment, technical skills, and publications, if applicable.
3. Undergraduate transcript: An unofficial transcript is acceptable.
4. Graduate transcript: Required if applicable; unofficial copies are accepted.
5. Writing sample: A research paper, thesis, or academic writing sample demonstrating analytical and research abilities.
6. Coding sample: Stata, R, Python, MATLAB, or another relevant programming sample. A GitHub repository link may also be submitted.

Some faculty projects may request additional application materials or direct submissions. Applicants should carefully follow the instructions for each position.

Program Details and Application Deadline

• Program: Tobin Center / Economics Pre-Doctoral Fellows Program
• Host Institution: Yale University
• Location: New Haven, Connecticut, USA
• Duration: 1 year, with the possibility of renewal for a second and final year
• Employment Type: Full-time, paid research position
• Cohort: 2027–2028
• Start Date: Generally July 2027; other dates may be negotiable
• Application Deadline: Rolling basis until positions are filled

There is no single fixed application deadline. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and individual research positions may close once filled. Early application is strongly recommended.

How to Apply

1. Visit the official Yale Tobin Center Pre-Doctoral Fellows Program website.
2. Review the currently available research positions and faculty project descriptions.
3. Identify projects aligned with your academic background, research interests, and technical skills.
4. Prepare the required application materials as a single PDF.
5. Complete the common online application and rank your preferred faculty supervisors.
6. Submit additional materials directly to faculty supervisors if required.
7. Monitor your email for potential interviews or technical assessments.