Board of Visitors Research Fellows

Stipend

Each student recipient receives a stipend of $2,500 per quarter (for the upcoming Winter and Spring terms).

Research Development

The cohort will get training on how to present in preparation to potentially present findings of research at two events in Spring quarter: 1) at the UCLA Undergraduate Research Week (undergraduate fellows only) and 2) at the UCLA Economics Board of Visitors annual meeting.

Program Commitment

As an Economic Research Fellow, it is required to actively participate in each program component during the Winter and Spring quarters. By applying for the Economic Research Fellows Program, you understand and acknowledge the required participation in all event programming listed below. All events are in-person on the UCLA Campus.

Student enrolled full-time (12+ units) for the entire academic year (Fall, Winter, and Spring quarters) at UCLA

Desire to pursue a Ph.D. in Economics, Finance, or related field

Minimum 3.5 GPA

Must have already completed Econ 101 and preferably currently enrolled in Econ 103 or having completed Econ 103

Students from the Class of 2027 and Class of 2028 are encouraged to apply

Q: Must I be an Econ, Bus-Econ, or Math/Econ major to apply? A: No, it is not a requirement. Department of Economics majors are encouraged to apply, but we invite all students interested in pursuing a Ph.D. in Economics, Finance, or related field.

Q: May I use the whole stipend in one quarter and graduate one term early? A: No, the stipend is equally split between Winter and Spring quarters and you must be enrolled as a full-time student in those terms.

Q: What criteria factor into selection? A: The Research Fellows program is intended to provide additional preparation for student interested in graduate research. Students are selected into the program primarily based on their serious interest in pursuing a PhD in Economics, Finance or a related discipline. For students interested in careers in banking, consulting, etc we provide the Sharpe Fellows program. In addition to interest in graduate work, we consider academic preparation. Econ 103 / 103L and Econ 104 / 104L are particularly valuable. Previous research experience is not needed.

Q: If students have worked previously as a RA with a professor can they continue to work with that professor if selected into the program? A: Yes, students selected to be research fellows may choose to continue working with a professor whom they have worked with before, provided that the professor agrees. The project is up to the professor.

Q: Do students get to work on their own research? A: No. Research Fellows serve as research assistants for a professor, working on the professor’s own research. The student may find a related project to work on separately, but the stipend provided by the Research Fellows program is to work as an RA. Research Fellows do, however, choose the faculty member with whom they would like to work with so students ought to consider what projects might be of interest when reaching out to faculty to inquire about positions.

Q: Do I get course credit for the program? A: No, students selected as Board of Visitors Research Fellows will receive a stipend, not course credit.

Q: Who pays for the program? A: The program is financed by the generous donations of our Board of Visitors and by the Department of Economics.

Questions?

Please contact UCLA Economics Undergraduate Advising for assistance.