Summer Doctoral Institute

For research and study on Institutions, Inclusive Globalization and U.S. Competitiveness

Summer Doctoral Institute 2019: June 4 – August 2

Each summer, seven to ten doctoral students are selected to participate in the prestigious GW-CIBER Summer Doctoral Institute (SDI) for research and study on the theme of Institutions, Inclusive Globalization and U.S. Competitiveness. The students spend their summer conducting research in the nation’s capital, home to many of the world’s most influential institutions. This cross-disciplinary program facilitates research related to the above theme from the perspective of a broad range of social sciences, but relevant to the discipline of International Business.

Scholars selected for the Summer Doctoral Institute:

  • Work with a GW faculty mentor from their chosen field
  • Form a community of scholars with intersecting interests
  • Gain access to resources found only in Washington, D.C.
  • Participate in research seminars, brown bag lunches, and workshops
  • Submit their work to be published in a top journal in their field

Faculty Mentorship

The heart of the Summer Doctoral Institute program is the mentoring relationship between the doctoral scholars and GW faculty members. By agreeing to participate in the SDI, Faculty Mentors commit themselves to being on campus during the two summer months when the students are at GW, and to be available for face-to-face interaction. Please note that any GW faculty member in any field may participate so feel free to explore the faculty web pages of various GW schools and departments. Additionally, the SDI Alumni Roster contains information about past projects and faculty members who have served as mentors.

To learn more about how to participate in the program, visit the application page.

“The Summer Doctoral Institute provides an opportunity for GW faculty to work with excellent doctoral students from other universities. The opportunity allows the GW faculty and participating doctoral students to share research ideas and collaborate on research projects that take advantage of unique datasets, diversifying background, and state of the art methodologies that are brought together by the program. I had an enjoyable and productive experience in summer 2008.” 

Dr. Jiawen Yang

Department of International Business

Community of Scholars

Build a network of like-minded scholars from across the country! The Summer Doctoral Institute brings together seven to ten doctoral scholars from a broad range of social science disciplines that have interests related to the theme of Institutions, Inclusive Globalization and U.S. Competitiveness. This is your opportunity to join a community of mutual learning that will last not just the length of the program, but for the length of your career. You and your peers will build bonds as you interact in a variety of scholarly activities while also taking time to explore all that the city has to offer. Alumni activities will help maintain this life-long scholarly network for years to come.

“The GW-CIBER Summer Doctoral Institute Program broadened my understanding of international business in an interdisciplinary manner. The theme of the 2014 program was very helpful for me as a political economist seeking to expand the research area of institutionalism with business interests. The weekly seminars and feedback from my fellow colleagues and one-to-one research guidance from my faculty mentor was also instrumental in advancing my research on intellectual property and industrial interests. Above all, I am very grateful that the academic bonding that we have created through the program has become a strong foundation for future research collaboration."

SDI 2014 Participant

Washington, D.C. Resources

The SDI scholars live and work in the heart of it all: just blocks from the White House and Capitol Hill, across the street from the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, and near a wide range of embassies, non-governmental organizations, and multilateral institutions. In addition, Washington, D.C. offers all the amenities and features that one would expect of an international city. To learn more about living on the GW campus and in the D.C. area, visit our Location Page.

Other Program Components

Beyond engaging in a research project with a GW faculty member, you will also take part in a variety of learning opportunities throughout the length of the program.

  • Doctoral Colloquium
    Doctoral scholars participate in a weekly discussion forum that focuses on cutting edge research in the area of Institutions, Inclusive Globalization and U.S. Competitiveness. These meetings also include student/mentor research presentations at the beginning and end of the program.
  • Research Feedback Groups
    The SDI students participate in informal feedback groups consisting of two to four students with similar research interests or fields. These groups meet several times during the summer and provide an opportunity for peer review and brainstorming.

“I truly appreciate GW-CIBER hosting me during the 2016 SDI program. It provided me a great opportunity to develop my research idea and work on the paper with insights and feedback from faculty members of the GWU Business School as well as SDI fellow members. I particularly benefited from the daily interaction with other SDI fellow members, which helped broaden my academic horizon into other fields and facilitate further collaborations among us. Lastly, the location of GWU in the heart of the nation’s capital connects me with the world’s greatest minds in various influential institutions in D.C. that nurtured my world views and ideas. Such short, but fruitful, time at SDI has been an unforgettable moment in my career."

2016 SDI Participant

Getting Published

Part of the Summer Doctoral Institute experience involves preparation of the research paper for the publishing process. Through the student-mentor partnership, the SDI participants have the opportunity to become a co-author on an article that will be submitted to a high quality, peer-reviewed outlet. For more information on the research activity at GW, visit the homepages of the university’s schools and colleges via the main university website. 

Funding and Housing

  • All SDI participants who are pursuing doctoral degrees at U.S. universities OR are U.S. citizens studying at non-U.S. universities will receive free housing in on-campus apartments. They will also receive a $2,000 living allowance to defray travel and other living expenses.
     
  • All SDI participants who are not U.S. citizens AND are pursuing doctoral degrees in non-U.S. universities will need to cover all their SDI-related expenses and arrange for their own visas (if needed). GW-CIBER may be able to offer space in a GW dormitory, at the student’s expense (which may be cheaper than other options in the city).