Economics for Leaders (EFL) program guide | RISE Research

TL;DR: Economics for Leaders (EFL) is a selective residential program run by the Foundation for Teaching Economics that places high school students in intensive economics and leadership training at top universities. It is competitive, fully funded for accepted students, and lasts one week. Students who want a deeper, verifiable research outcome alongside EFL should consider RISE Research, a 1-on-1 mentorship program with a 90% publication rate. Our deadline is closing soon.

Introduction

The Economics for Leaders (EFL) program guide is one of the most searched resources among high school students who want serious economics experience before college. EFL has placed thousands of students at universities including the University of Virginia, University of Washington, and Purdue University since the Foundation for Teaching Economics launched the program in the 1990s. It remains one of the few fully funded residential economics programs available to high school students in the United States.

The challenge most students face is this: EFL is highly selective, lasts only one week, and does not produce a verifiable research output that appears on a college application. Students who want economics experience that admissions officers can evaluate directly need more than a program certificate. RISE Research is a selective 1-on-1 mentorship program where high school students produce peer-reviewed published research in economics and related fields, creating an application signal that is externally verified and directly listable in the Common App Activities section.

What is Economics for Leaders and who is it for?

Economics for Leaders is a one-week residential program for high school students who demonstrate academic achievement and leadership potential. It is run by the Foundation for Teaching Economics, a nonprofit organization, and is offered at multiple university host sites across the United States. Accepted students attend at no cost; the program covers tuition, housing, and meals.

EFL targets students in grades 10 and 11 who have completed at least one year of high school economics, though strong candidates from other grades have been accepted. The program focuses on economic reasoning, market analysis, and leadership development. Students work through case studies, participate in discussions led by university faculty and economists, and engage with peers from across the country.

The Foundation for Teaching Economics selects students based on academic record, teacher recommendations, and demonstrated interest in economics and public policy. The program is designed for students who plan to pursue leadership roles in business, government, or civic life. For full eligibility details and host site locations, visit the official Foundation for Teaching Economics website at fte.org/students/economics-for-leaders.

How competitive is Economics for Leaders?

EFL is selective. The Foundation for Teaching Economics does not publish an official acceptance rate, but the program draws applicants from across the United States and accepts a limited cohort at each host site. Strong applicants typically have high GPAs, economics or social studies coursework, and meaningful leadership experience outside the classroom.

Applications require a teacher recommendation, a personal statement, and academic transcripts. Students who have already demonstrated interest in economics through coursework, competitions, or independent reading tend to stand out. The program does not require prior research experience, but students who can articulate a specific economic question they want to explore write stronger personal statements.

Rejection from EFL is common and does not reflect a student's potential in economics. RISE Research accepts students based on research readiness and genuine intellectual curiosity rather than prior prestige or geography. RISE carries a 90% publication success rate, and students from any location can apply. If you want to see what a research-ready economics profile looks like, review RISE admissions outcomes for students who have pursued economics research.

What does Economics for Leaders actually involve?

EFL runs for one week on a university campus. Students attend lectures and seminars led by economists and faculty members. The curriculum covers core economic concepts including market structures, incentives, trade-offs, and policy analysis. Students also participate in leadership workshops and small-group discussions.

The program does not produce a research paper, published article, or independently verifiable academic output. Students receive a certificate of completion. The experience is valuable for building economic intuition and meeting peers with similar interests, but the output is not directly listable as a research achievement in the Common App Activities section.

For students who want economics experience that produces a tangible, externally verified outcome, RISE Research offers a different path. Every RISE student produces a peer-reviewed published paper under a 1-on-1 mentor from an Ivy League or Oxbridge institution. That paper is published in one of 40+ academic journals and appears directly in the Common App. You can review examples of student economics research at RISE Publications.

How does Economics for Leaders compare to doing research with RISE?

EFL and RISE Research serve different purposes, and the strongest applicants often pursue both. Understanding the difference helps students plan their academic profile strategically.

EFL is a one-week residential program. It builds economic reasoning skills, connects students with peers and faculty, and signals genuine interest in economics. It is fully funded, in-person, and curriculum-driven. The output is a certificate and a meaningful experience, which can be described in the Common App Activities section as a selective program.

RISE Research is a 10-week online program. It is 1-on-1, fully flexible, and produces a peer-reviewed published paper in economics or a related field. The paper is independently verifiable. Admissions officers can look it up. It does not depend on residential attendance or a fixed host site location. RISE scholars have achieved an 18% acceptance rate at Stanford, compared to 8.7% for the general applicant pool, and a 32% acceptance rate at UPenn, compared to 3.8% for the general pool.

Published research is the strongest research signal in a college application because it is externally validated. No admissions officer needs to take a student's word for the quality of the work. The paper exists in a journal, with the student's name on it. To explore what economics research topics RISE students have pursued, visit RISE Projects.

Our deadline is closing soon. Book a free Research Assessment to find out what is achievable in your timeline.

RISE Research is open to students targeting economics programs at any university. Our deadline is closing soon. Book a free Research Assessment to find out what is achievable in your timeline.

What to do if you do not get into Economics for Leaders

If you are not accepted to EFL, the strongest next step is to pursue original economics research with RISE. RISE accepts students based on research readiness and intellectual curiosity, not prior program attendance or geography. A published economics paper is a stronger application signal than a program certificate from any residential experience.

Students who do not get into EFL often redirect their preparation toward research. RISE Research provides direct 1-on-1 access to mentors who have published in economics, public policy, behavioral economics, and related fields. The 10-week program produces a peer-reviewed paper that appears in the Common App Activities section as a concrete, verifiable achievement.

Other verified options for students interested in economics include the National Economics Challenge, run by the Council for Economic Education (councilforeconed.org), and the Federal Reserve's Fed Challenge program for high school students. Both are competitive and produce recognized results, but neither produces a published research paper. For a broader view of economics research opportunities, see our guide to the best economics research programs for high school students.

RISE must come first in your planning because it produces the strongest verifiable outcome. Our deadline is closing soon.

Frequently asked questions about the Economics for Leaders program

How do I apply to Economics for Leaders?

Applications for EFL open on the Foundation for Teaching Economics website at fte.org. Students submit academic transcripts, a teacher recommendation, and a personal statement. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis and spots are limited at each host site. Check the official site for current application windows: fte.org/students/economics-for-leaders.

Is Economics for Leaders free or paid?

EFL is fully funded for accepted students. The Foundation for Teaching Economics covers tuition, housing, and meals for the one-week residential program. Students are responsible for their own travel costs to and from the host university site. There is no tuition fee for accepted participants.

Does Economics for Leaders help with college admissions?

EFL is a selective program and signals genuine interest in economics to admissions officers. It can be listed in the Common App Activities section as a competitive academic program. However, it does not produce a published research output. Students who combine EFL with published research through RISE create a significantly stronger economics profile for college applications. See top economics research programs for high school students for context on how research strengthens admissions outcomes.

What do I do if I do not get into Economics for Leaders?

RISE Research is the strongest alternative. It produces a peer-reviewed published paper in economics under a 1-on-1 mentor, with a 90% publication success rate. A published paper is a more verifiable and admissions-relevant outcome than a program certificate. RISE is fully online and open to students regardless of location. Other options include the National Economics Challenge and the Fed Challenge, but neither produces published research.

Can international students apply to Economics for Leaders?

EFL is primarily designed for U.S. high school students, and the residential format requires attendance at a U.S. university host site. International students should check directly with the Foundation for Teaching Economics for current eligibility. RISE Research is fully online and open to international students in any country. For more on international research opportunities in economics, see our guide to best economics research programs for high school students in 2026.

Conclusion

RISE Research and Economics for Leaders serve students who are serious about economics, but they produce different outcomes. EFL is a prestigious one-week residential experience that builds economic reasoning and connects students with peers and faculty. RISE Research is a 10-week 1-on-1 mentorship program that produces a peer-reviewed published paper, the strongest verifiable research signal available to a high school student applying to college.

The strongest economics applicants pursue both. If EFL is on your list, RISE strengthens your application whether or not you are accepted. RISE scholars have achieved a 3x higher acceptance rate to Top 10 universities compared to the general applicant pool. You can review mentor profiles at RISE Mentors and explore past student work at RISE Awards.

Our deadline is closing soon. If you are a student targeting economics and want a real research outcome on your application, schedule a free Research Assessment and we will tell you exactly what is achievable in your timeline.