Herb Scarf Summer Research Opportunities

The program is supported by the Cowles Foundation, the James Tobin Fund for Undergraduate Research Opportunities (which was created by friends and former students to honor Tobin’s lifelong devotion to undergraduate education), Paul Joskow ‘72 PhD, and the Yale School of Management.

Projects for Summer 2021

Note: The application portal for Summer 2021 will open on Monday, February 22. We will accept applications on a rolling basis until Friday, March 5. Faculty will aim to inform students receiving RAships of their status by Friday, March 12.

Have questions? Join the Economics Peer Mentors for a panel about the Scarf RA program from 2:30-3:30pm on Friday, March 5. More info here.

Herb Scarf Summer Research Opportunities in Economics is a program designed to give Yale students a chance to immerse themselves in ongoing research with their professors in the Department of Economics and other affiliated departments and professional schools. Working closely with a professor, students will get a better idea of what “doing research” actually means, and why a professor views it as exciting and worthwhile. Students will also have an opportunity to learn, through practical experience, some of the skills associated with the process of doing research – data collection, coding, writing, and other tasks involved in a research project. The program also includes group events organized by the Program Directors, Zara Contractor and Lucas Finamor, who are both PhD students in economics. This programming includes faculty talks, programming workshops, and social events that teach research methods and help build a community of RAs who can support each other.

Participating students (Scarf RAs) will be required to work 160 hours on their faculty mentor’s research project from June 1 to July 23 (or other dates mutually agreed upon with the student’s faculty mentor) and participate in the supplemental research and social activities organized by the Program Directors. At the conclusion of the program, students will be required to submit a short final report (approximately two pages) summarizing their research activities and providing feedback on the program. Participants will be paid a stipend of $3,300, dispersed in two equal installments (one at the beginning of the program; one after the final report is submitted).

Typically, the HSSRO is a New Haven-based program. However, due to the uncertainties associated with the trajectory of the COVID-19 pandemic, this summer the program will once again operate remotely. Regardless of location, students and faculty mentors are expected to meet at least weekly while the project is running.

Eligibility

Any undergradaute Yale student who has not previously participated in the program may apply, but students who have completed more of the required coursework in economics (particularly the core courses in microeconomics, macroeconomics, and econometrics) are more likely to possess the quantitative skills that professors find useful in conducting research. Scarf RA positions are not available to seniors (Class of 2021) or students visiting Yale during the academic year.

Projects and Applications

The project descriptions (see below) explain both the goals of the professor’s research and the activities that undergraduates would be engaged in as part of that research. For some projects, the professor will be seeking a small team, typically of 2 or 3 research assistants.

If you are interested in participating in a project you should submit an online application form, including a curriculum vita (or resume) and a brief cover letter explaining why you are interested in the project. A copy of your application and CV will be sent upon submission to the professor leading the project and Qazi Azam (Undergraduate Registrar in the Department of Economics). You may apply to at most four projects (but accept and participate in only one).  

Students will be contacted directly by interested faculty on a rolling basis until the position has been filled. The awards will be posted on this site once faculty have made their decisions.

If you have any questions regarding the program, please contact Rebecca Toseland or Qazi Azam.