Summer 2026 FT Research Fellowship: "Economic Development in the MENA Region"
The King Center on Global Development's Summer Undergraduate Full-Time Research Assistant Program offers opportunities for fieldwork and research experience to matriculated, Stanford, undergraduates interested in global poverty and development across all academic disciplines.
When Stanford University travel policies allow, selected students spend up to 12 weeks in a low- or middle-income country conducting full-time research for a King Center faculty affiliate. Each research assistant receives a stipend of approximately $8,500 that covers most associated costs including travel, lodging, and incidental expenses. Financial aid of up to $1,500 is also awarded to students who qualify.
Students are welcome to apply to multiple opportunities but must apply to each faculty research project separately. Students may only accept one project if they are offered multiple opportunities.
If you have problems submitting your application, please report issues through the SOLO platform with a screenshot that includes the URL and the full page. Please email kingcenter_programs@stanford.edu to also let us know of your issue(s).
RESEARCH PROJECT SUMMARY:
What explains economic development trajectories for countries in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA)? In this project, we will be exploring patterns of economic development across and within MENA countries. Student researchers will be responsible for collecting and cleaning data; running analysis; and writing literature reviews on related topics. Arabic language skills preferred but not required.
Research mentor: Professor Lisa Blaydes
Dates: A minimum of ten weeks during summer quarter 2026.
WHAT YOU WILL DO:
The research assistant will work closely together and in collaboration with the research team to:
- Data collection
- Data cleaning
- Analysis
- Creation of graphical visualizations of data
- Literature reviews
- Archival data collection (if possible)
- Stanford undergraduate students in good academic standing, and planning to return to Stanford in autumn 2026, are eligible to apply (co-terms in graduate tuition status are ineligible)
- Not currently doing an honors thesis or receiving funding from other sources during the summer
- Not working other summer jobs
- All majors are welcome
- Strong research and writing skills
- Must have good interpersonal skills and an ability to adapt well to cross-cultural contexts
In addition, specific qualification requirements:
- Arabic (preferred but not required)
- French (preferred but not required)
- Stata (preferred but not required)
- R (preferred but not required)
Time Commitment:
- All research assistants are required to work full time, i.e., 35-40 hours per week for a minimum of 10 weeks during the summer quarter. This should be your only commitment during this time period.
To Apply:
Along with the application, applicants are asked to submit a resume or CV, and a Stanford transcript.
Please also answer:
- What experience do you have with data cleaning, data visualization, and statistical analyses?
- What coding language(s) do you have experience with?
For questions regarding this opportunity, please contact:
