The Columbia Economics Department is recruiting its third cohort of Bridge-to-the-Ph.D. scholars for fall 2021.

The Bridge-to-the-Ph.D. program is designed to increase the participation of students from underrepresented groups in Ph.D. programs in STEM fields, including Economics. It is an intensive research, academic, and mentoring experience for post-baccalaureates seeking to strengthen their graduate school applications and to prepare for the transition into Ph.D. programs. Scholars who apply to and are selected for the economics program will be paired with a mentor in the economics department, and take part in activities tailored towards Ph.D. programs in the field.

Bridge participants are hired as full-time Columbia University research assistants (RAs) for up to two years and conduct research under the mentorship of faculty members, post-doctoral researchers, and graduate students. Potential research areas within the department include behavioral economics, development, macroeconomics, urban economics, industrial organization, education, health, and political economy.

The 2021-2022 salary for Bridge RAs is a minimum of $51,125 per year. Program participants are also provided with $2000 per year to support professional and educational expenses (examples include travel to professional conferences and purchase of books), and, as full-time employees are eligible for University benefits.

Bridge participants typically enroll in one to two courses per semester at Columbia that are related to their future field of study. These might include mathematics courses, undergraduate electives in economics, or Master's or Ph.D. level introductory courses. The program also organizes a number of professional development workshops, provides access to GRE test preparation, and partners with Columbia's Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science to ensure success while at Columbia and to facilitate application to Ph.D. programs.

If you know students who may benefit from this program, please encourage them to apply or to get more information at this website. The application deadline is February 15, 2021.  Please contact the program director, Kwame Osei-Sarfo by email at ko2439 [at] columbia.edu if you have any further questions. 

Sincerely,
Miguel Urquiola

Miguel Urquiola | Chair, Department of Economics | Columbia University 

Celeste Ransom (she/her)

Assistant to the Chair

Department of Economics

Columbia University
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New York, NY 10027

212-854-3682