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Expanding Discovery in Economics+

The 2026 application cycle is now open and will close on February 16, 2026.

Expanding Discovery in Economics+ (EDE+) brings together early undergraduate students from colleges across the country to hone their research abilities and technical skills. The EDE+ Summer Institute develops student-driven, long-term research projects in quantitative social science fields over a 9-week program.

EDE+

Open to students from all backgrounds, EDE+ fosters a path toward a research career through a unique interdisciplinary approach from its home in the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, exposing students to leading researchers in quantitative social science fields such as finance, economics, accounting, behavioral science, and marketing to inspire students to ask questions that can change the world. 

This program would not be possible without our key collaborator, the Hutchins Center at Brookings, where participants have benefitted from staff expertise, field trips to major policy institutions, and networking opportunities with leading policymakers.


Group photo of EDE 2025 participants

The EDE+ Summer Institute

The EDE+ Summer Institute is an annual, nine-week program designed to provide comprehensive exposure to the quantitative social sciences. Each year, the program combines both full- and part-time elements, with a blend of in-person and online engagement. Programming features a week-long virtual bootcamp, followed by in-residence experiences in Washington, DC (with the Hutchins Center at Brookings), Chicago, Illinois (at UChicago), and a six-week evening synchronous online course—allowing time for participants to pursue other opportunities during the day.

Participants engage in skill-building coursework, daily lectures, and other activities led by innovative researchers who foster collaborative learning. The program culminates in a group research project presented at an undergraduate conference hosted by PREDOC.org, with basic travel costs, housing, and group activities covered by the program. A stipend is awarded upon successful completion.

The next EDE+ Summer Institute will take place from June 1 to July 29, 2026.

The EDE+ Summer Institute
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2025 EDE+ Program

The 2025 EDE+ Summer Institute, hosted for the first time at Chicago Booth, introduced students to career pathways in the quantitative social sciences. Participants engaged with leading experts in economics, finance, accounting, behavioral science, marketing, and related fields. 

View the 2025 Photo Album 
2025 EDE+ Program

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Explore EDE+

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About EDE+

The EDE+ Summer Institute provides participants with an extraordinary nine-week experience.

About EDE+

EDE+ Applications

The 2026 application cycle is now open and will close on February 16, 2026. 

Apply Now!

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EDE+ 2026 Information Session

Virtual information sessions allow anyone interested in EDE+ to learn more about the program and the application process, with opportunities to engage with EDE+ staff and program alumni.

Interested in the EDE+ 2026 program? 

Register for our upcoming info-session on Monday, February 9 at 11:00 AM CT to learn more! 

EDE+ 2026 Information Session
Picture of gray-shaded woman next to yellow shapes and red text that reads: Dawn Chinagorom-Abiakalam, 2022 EDE+ Alumni.

Dawn Chinagorom-Abiakalam

“EDE was an amazing opportunity that allowed me to learn more about a career in economics. Spending time with University of Chicago faculty, students and members of my cohort helped me shape my focus and goals.”
—Dawn Chinagorom-Abiakalam, Research Associate, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

Hear from Dawn about her EDE+ experience during the info-session on February 9!

Dawn Chinagorom-Abiakalam

Contact

Please contact summerecon@uchicago.edu with additional questions about the program.

If you are interested in supporting EDE+, please contact Catherine Palekar, Chicago Booth Office of Advancement, at catherine.palekar@chicagobooth.edu.

 

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With support from:Logos of EDE+ supporting institutions