About the Workshop
This five-day intensive workshop will take place in Guangzhou from December 14th to 18th, 2026, targeting early-career researchers across applied-economics fields. The workshop is a rigorous research-training and community-building initiative devoted to cultivating the next generation of applied economists. It integrates formal academic instruction, individualized research feedback, participant research presentations, and structured scholarly dialogue between junior researchers and senior faculty.
We will recruit a small, highly selective cohort of fewer than 20 participants, seeking a balanced mix of domestic and international early-career scholars. The program prioritizes close faculty engagement, in-depth research discussion, and the development of a sustained academic community.
The workshop comprises three integrated core components:
1. Faculty Lectures
Each instructor will lead a half-day instructional session, including lectures and scheduled breaks. Lecture topics may cover advanced empirical methods, field-wide overviews, or cutting-edge applied-economics research, and will be adjusted in light of participants’ research interests.
2. Participant Research Presentations
Participants will present ongoing work-in-progress or preliminary research ideas. Senior faculty will provide detailed, constructive feedback to help refine research designs, empirical strategies, and scholarly exposition.
3. Structured Community-Building Activities
Dedicated sessions will be set aside for informal academic exchange and interactive discussion, with the goal of fostering lasting scholarly connections among junior scholars and faculty.
Confirmed Instructors:
Lars Lefgren (Brigham Young University)
Nolan Pope (University of Maryland)
Brigham Frandsen (Brigham Young University)
Shuaizhang Feng (Jinan University)
Eligibility
We invite applications from early-career researchers in applied economics and related disciplines falling into one of the following categories:
·PhD candidates
·Postdoctoral researchers
·Assistant Professors within three years of their initial faculty appointment
Workshop Policies
·No registration fee: No registration fee will be charged.
·Logistics: Participants are responsible for their own transportation and accommodation expenses. Lunch will be provided on workshop days, and selected group dinners will be hosted for participants. All other meal expenses are to be covered by participants. IESR will provide academic venues, teaching facilities, and full organizational support for all academic activities.
·Visa: International applicants must secure a valid Chinese visa for travel to Guangzhou.
·Participation expectations: Accepted participants are expected to attend the full five-day program and present either a work-in-progress paper or a well-developed research idea. Should an accepted participant be unable to attend after acceptance, prompt advance notification to the workshop organizers is required. Unreported no-shows may negatively affect eligibility for future IESR-hosted academic events.
Application Materials
1. Curriculum Vitae (CV)
2. Statement of interest (max 1 page): outlining your research background, primary research agenda, and what you hope to gain from the workshop
3. One research sample: a working paper, manuscript draft, or two-page summary of a research idea
4. One reference letter: required for PhD candidates and postdoctoral researchers. Assistant Professors are exempt. The referee should be familiar with the applicant’s research work and academic potential. Letters may be sent as email text or attached PDF directly from the referee to the workshop organizing committee address 
Submission Link
Please submit all application materials via https://v.wjx.cn/vm/mcsZ50O.aspx# before October 25th, 2026. Successful applicants will be notified after the review process.
Important Dates
·Application Deadline: October 25th, 2026
·Acceptance Notification: October 31st, 2026
·Workshop: December 14th to 18th, 2026, Guangzhou, China
Inquiries
For further information and inquiries, please contact: 
