Yale Tobin Center Pre-Doctoral Fellows Program 2027–28 (Paid)

Applications are open for the Yale Tobin Center Pre-Doctoral Fellows Program 2027–28. This paid research programme gives graduates considering a PhD in economics or a related field the chance to work closely with Yale faculty on policy-relevant projects.

Location: Yale University campus, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
Duration: One year, with a possible second and final year by mutual agreement
Deadline: Rolling review until positions are filled; no fixed closing date
Start: Most positions begin in July; other dates may be negotiable

About the programme

The Tobin Center and Yale Department of Economics bring together a community of approximately 70 pre-doctoral scholars from around the world. Fellows work full-time as research trainees under one or more faculty mentors. All roles are campus-based, with most fellows sharing workspaces that support collaboration and learning from peers.

Alongside research, fellows can attend department seminars, join a weekly professional-development seminar and audit or take one course for credit each semester. The programme is designed to help participants develop their research skills and explore doctoral study.

Who can apply?

The programme is intended for applicants with a bachelor’s or master’s degree who are considering a PhD in economics or a closely related discipline. Applicants from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply. Individual faculty projects set their own technical interests and requirements, so review each description before ranking supervisors.

Your application should explain your research interests, relevant experience and programming skills. Yale’s guidance mentions languages such as R, Stata, Python and Matlab; the most suitable sample depends on the project. Accepted international candidates receive visa sponsorship unless an individual project states otherwise. The programme’s FAQ identifies J-1 sponsorship and notes that eligible fellows may use F-1 Optional Practical Training instead.

Salary, benefits and study opportunities

Positions offer a salary competitive with comparable programmes and standard benefits, including health insurance. A numerical salary is not published on the general application page. Renewal for a second year requires agreement between the fellow and faculty supervisor.

Auditing a Yale course is free with the instructor’s permission. Courses taken for credit carry a fee; Yale’s FAQ quotes approximately US$3,300 per course for 2026–27 and says this potential expense is considered when setting fellows’ salaries. That is not a confirmed 2027–28 tuition figure.

Research projects

Current project areas include infrastructure and state capacity; development and experimental economics; the safety net; energy and environmental economics; U.S. health care; housing and urban economics; criminal justice; retirement and Social Security; children and families; the Budget Lab; and the history and long-run effects of urban renewal. New projects may be added, and filled positions will be marked on the application page.

Application documents

Prepare one PDF named LastName_FirstName_Tobin_Predoc_Application, with these items in this order:

1. A cover letter covering your programme and project interests, availability, relevant research and programming experience, and contact details for two or three references.
2. Your résumé or CV.
3. Your undergraduate transcript; an unofficial copy is accepted.
4. Your graduate transcript, if applicable; an unofficial copy is accepted.
5. A writing sample that demonstrates analytical and research ability. There is no prescribed length.
6. A coding sample. One is sufficient; additional samples may help when applying to projects with different language preferences. A GitHub repository link or equivalent is also accepted.

How to apply

Review the available faculty projects, then complete the common application linked from Yale’s application page. Provide your background information, rank prospective supervisors and upload the requested materials. Some supervisors also request materials directly: follow those project instructions and submit the common application.

Applications are considered on a rolling basis until roles are filled. Shortlisted candidates may complete a data or technical exercise and attend an interview. For programme questions, email tobinpredocs@yale.edu.