Graduate students specializing in economics now have the chance to participate in the 2025 IMF Youth Challenge in Economics. This initiative is designed to highlight innovative research on macroeconomic policies impacting the Middle East and North Africa. By taking part, young economists can contribute their perspectives to ongoing policy discussions in the region and present their findings on an international platform.

Those eligible for this competition must have completed an undergraduate degree and be actively pursuing a master’s or doctoral program in economics or a closely related discipline. Additionally, only individuals who are citizens of specific countries and territories within the Middle East and North Africa are permitted to apply. While applicants must be enrolled in a recognized institution of higher education, there is no restriction on the country where the university is located.

Participants are required to submit a concise research summary, limited to three pages and formatted with single line spacing. The content must be in English and should focus on macroeconomic policy issues that are particularly relevant to the Middle East and North Africa. To confirm eligibility, applicants must include a letter from their university’s registrar certifying their enrollment as a postgraduate student. Additionally, a professor’s recommendation on official university letterhead, complete with contact details, must be provided. All documents should be compiled into a single PDF file, clearly displaying the applicant’s full name, academic institution, and contact details.

The three most outstanding submissions will be recognized, and the winners will receive an invitation to present their research at a conference scheduled to take place in Egypt in May 2025. Further details about the event will be disclosed at a later stage. To facilitate attendance, the International Monetary Fund will issue official invitation letters for visa purposes and will cover travel costs, accommodations, and other associated expenses.

The deadline for submissions is set for April 14, 2025. Successful candidates will be announced on April 17, 2025. The selected winners will participate in the IMF-American University in Cairo MENA Research Conference, themed around navigating macroeconomic and structural policies in a rapidly changing global economy. The event is scheduled for May 18-19, 2025.

Scroll down for more details and click on the official link attached to apply for this opportunity