American University has been chosen as the new host institution for the American Economic Association’s 2026 Summer Training and Scholarship Program (AEASP), an intensive, two-month residential program dedicated to preparing undergraduates for doctoral study in economics and related fields.  

Launched in 1974, the AEASP is widely regarded as a critical pipeline into the economics profession for students. The program equips participants with rigorous academic preparation and mentorship, building the technical and analytical skills essential for success in top-tier doctoral programs. Graduates of AEASP go on to attend some of the nation’s most competitive PhD programs, often becoming influential scholars, policy experts, and leaders in academia and beyond.  

Several graduates have even landed at American University. Marquise J. McGraw, senior professorial lecturer and director of AU’s Master of Public Policy Program in the School of Public Affairs, says that the AEA Summer Program was a pivotal experience on her path towards receiving his PhD in economics.  
“At Duke University (where my program was held), the courses and research were challenging. I was certainly pushed well outside my comfort zone!” he says. “I left with a much stronger understanding of what graduate school was all about, what a career in the economics profession would entail, and, most importantly, a network of peers who have become valuable professional colleagues and, in some cases, lifelong friends. Without this program, it is unlikely that I would have ever become a faculty member at AU or worked for the federal government in economic analysis before I joined AU!”

Why American University? 

As host in 2026, American University will serve as a critical hub for mentoring, curriculum development, and community-building that supports these aspiring economists in their journey toward graduate study and beyond. During their two months at AU, students will live together in apartments in Nebraska Hall as they receive intensive training in microeconomics, math, econometrics, and research methods with AU’s Department of Economics faculty. They will receive three credits per class, with the opportunity to earn 12 college credits in total. 

Students can take advantage of Washington, DC’s unparalleled concentration of economists, think tanks, research institutions, and policy organizations. AEASP also offers a supportive environment where students build lasting friendships, enjoy recreational activities, and develop a strong sense of community. Students collaborate in teams—and faculty, graduate fellows, mentors, and staff are all dedicated to helping each student thrive. 

As the program comes to AU in 2026, McGraw believes it will offer a transformative experience, much like the one that shaped his own path. “AU's strong faculty, beautiful campus, and strategic location in DC will serve the next cohort of AEASP students well. Students will be challenged academically and make important connections with one another, our faculty, and a host of other economics and policy professionals in DC and otherwise. It is critical that all sorts of voices and perspectives are part of economics and policy conversations, and the AEASP at AU will be instrumental in assisting with that.”

Learn More and Support the ASASP 

For more information about the program, visit the AEA Summer program website.  

AEASP is made possible through the generous support of donors, which helps provide participating students with housing, stipends, classroom instruction, mentoring, and research opportunities. Learn more by AEA.