Undergraduate Programs at the Becker Friedman Institute for Research in Economics

Opportunity Description:

BFI is the nexus of the Chicago Economics community, acting as the hub for researchers and scholars to potentially play a significant role in meeting the most difficult challenges facing the global community. The BFI is committed to helping the Department of Economics, the Harris School, the Booth School of Business, and the Law School train the next generation of economic researchers, scholars, policy analysts, and policy-makers.

BFI gives UChicago students invaluable opportunities to participate in frontier research that will have a global impact. Through a full schedule of seminars, workshops, forums, conferences, brown bags, job and internship opportunities, summer camps, and other events, students have the chance to engage with one another and with researchers, scholars, policy analysts, and policy-makers to exchange ideas on the most critical and pressing issues of our time.

Programs and Networking

BFI’s robust schedule of conferences and lectures offer excellent opportunities to network with peers, colleagues, and leading scholars.

• Friedman Forum. Designed for undergraduates, BFI’s Friedman Forum luncheon series highlights economic analysis as a powerful tool for understanding a wide range of real-world issues and problems.
• Becker Brown Bag. The Becker Brown Bag Series provides an informal setting where prominent economists can present cutting-edge research and engage MBA students in discussion.
• View all events. BFI hosts numerous conferences, workshops, and talks that are open to students.

Employment Opportunities at BFI

BFI offers students the opportunity to work with faculty through a wide range of job, internship, or assistantship positions, including:

• Research Assistant opportunities (find current opportunities on Handshake)
• Internship opportunities (click here for more information)
  • Kapani Metcalf Summer Internship Program for Undergraduate Economics Students. BFI invites students to apply for posted summer internship opportunities and/or propose an internship program for funding to BFI staff.
  • Brickell Metcalf Internship Program. The Brickell Metcalf internship is for undergraduate students interested in conducting research with the intent of increasing liberty, and aims to produce research to develop a better understanding of the effects of law, regulation, and government policy on human behavior.

Minimum Qualifications and/or Eligibility Requirements: 

All students currently enrolled at the University of Chicago are eligible for any of the above opportunities. For internship programs, please read the program pages carefully to ensure that you meet any additional eligibility requirements.