The IMF Economist Program in USA

The International Monetary Fund, or IMF, promotes international financial stability and monetary cooperation.

It also facilitates international trade, promotes employment and sustainable economic growth, and helps to reduce global poverty. The IMF is governed by and accountable to its 189 member countries. The IMF was conceived in July 1944 at the United Nations Bretton Woods Conference in New Hampshire, United States.

The 44 countries in attendance sought to build a framework for international economic cooperation and avoid repeating the competitive currency devaluations 

To be considered for the International Monetary Fund IMF Economist Program, you must:

• Be a recent PhD graduate or be within one year of completing a PhD in macroeconomics or a related field.

• Have a solid understanding of macroeconomics and be able to explain complex economic linkages clearly.

• Be under 34 years old when the program begins in September 2027.

• Be a citizen of an IMF member country.

• Demonstrate excellent written and spoken English.

• Possess strong analytical, quantitative, and computer skills.

• The EP is a three-year program consisting of two 18-month assignments that aims to build the future leaders of the Fund.

• Depending on your assignments, you will gain broad experience in regional and country-specific issues, as well as in fiscal, monetary, balance of payments, debt, or other related issues, and contribute to our analytical and research work.

• During the program, you will have access to a wide range of professional, technical, and language training and development activities to enhance your professional skills and career development.

• You will also be mentored, guided, and supported by seasoned economists, all with a view of ensuring a satisfying and exciting start to your career at the IMF. 

• By the end of the program, the IMF hopes you will be as excited by their work as they are and will choose to remain and build a long-term career as an IMF economist.

Step 1: Preliminary Interview

Shortlisted candidates are invited to a 30 to 40-minute preliminary interview.

You will provide a high-level overview of your research and discuss economic topics related to the IMF’s work. The interview also considers your analytical thinking, communication, and interpersonal skills.

Step 2: Supporting Materials

Following the preliminary interview, you may be asked to provide:

• Your most recent PhD program transcript.

• Three academic references.

• A research paper of publishable standard or one or two chapters from your dissertation.

Academic references cannot be provided by current IMF staff members.

Step 3: Panel Interview and Written Assessment

Selected candidates are invited to an in-person panel interview with two or three senior IMF economists and a Human Resources officer.

The panel assesses:

• Knowledge of monetary, fiscal, balance of payments, and financial sector issues.

• Analytical ability and policy judgment.

• Written and oral communication.

• Interpersonal skills.

• The ability to explain complex economic issues clearly and in a structured way.

Candidates also complete a 90-minute written assessment. The assessment evaluates written communication and the ability to develop a clear, well-structured response under time constraints.

Step 4: Final Review

Candidates who reach the panel stage are referred to an internal committee of senior staff for final review.

The committee considers the full set of assessment results. The panel interview and research paper review receive the greatest weight in the final decision.

• 1

  To be a part of the 2027 IMF Economist Program, interested and qualified candidates should use the "CLICK HERE TO APPLY" button below to submit their application.

• 2

  The application process opens annually in late September, with a notice on the IMF Career Site.

• 3

  Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed between December and January, with offers made from February.

• 4

  The selection process consists of multiple stages, which may run in parallel to one another.