Research Opportunities

Research Opportunities

Undergraduate research helps students apply classroom learning to new situations and gain a variety of disciplinary skills. It offers a unique opportunity for students to engage in inquiry in their chosen field of study and develop practical hands-on knowledge.  Faculty and PhD students in the Department of Economics occasionally have the need to hire undergraduate research assistants (URAs).  Projects can include gathering and analysis of economic data, creating charts and graphs, coding, and checking mathematical calculations. Having experience with economic modeling software is helpful, but not always required. 

Our majors have conducted undergraduate research within our department, with faculty from other academic departments, and at off-campus internships. In addition, economics students also have the opportunity to write an honors thesis or complete an independent study project.  Please read below to learn more about recommended skills (and where to get them), available department research projects, and other undergraduate research opportunities at Cornell.  

Recommended skills: Stata, SAS, Excel, MATLab . . . where can you get these skills?

Hatfield Undergraduate Research Assistant Program

The Economics Department's URA Program is supported by the Robert S. Hatfield Fund for Economic Education. The Hatfield Fund is used to enhance undergraduates' understanding of applied economics in general and the benefits and problems of the free market system.

Available Hatfield Projects

There are no Hatfield URA openings currently available. Opportunities will be emailed to the Economics majors listserv and posted here as they arise. 

Hatfield URA Applications

This application will ask for the following information:

  • Name and NetID
  • Which faculty projects you would like to apply for
  • Resume
  • Class Standing (Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, Senior) and Graduation Date
  • A statement of interest and/or brief description of past research experience
  • Grades from core economics courses
  • A list of math courses you have taken
  • Your proficiency with a variety of computer software programs

If you need to update your application or apply for other URA projects in the future, please re-enter the survey.  You will have the option of attaching new documents and updating your information. 

Other Research Opportunity Resources

Economics URA positions will be limited in number and competitive, so consider looking elsewhere as well.  The campus has many avenues for pursuing research.

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