The Applied Research Training in Evaluation, Methods, and Impact Studies (ARTEMIS) program, launched by J‑PAL North America, provides fully‑funded, rigorous training for early‑career scholars—from PhD candidates to pre‑tenure faculty—to master the design and implementation of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that address poverty in the United States. The inaugural cohort of 20 participants will receive training, mentorship, and proposal‑development support through December.
ARTEMIS is the newest component of J‑PAL’s Economics Pathways initiative, which aims to strengthen the pipeline of economics researchers at every career stage, from undergraduate interns to research staff and now scholars preparing their first RCTs. The program kicked off in June with a week‑long Summer Institute at MIT’s Endicott House in Dedham, Massachusetts, delivering intensive technical content and hands‑on skill building so participants can confidently design and seek funding for rigorous evaluations.
During the Institute, participants learned from J‑PAL network researchers, including Gerald Daniels, associate professor of economics at Howard University, who noted, “ARTEMIS bridges the gap for researchers who haven’t previously had the opportunity to work with randomized evaluations. It makes rigorous methodologies approachable and helps scholars translate ideas into high‑impact designs.”
The inaugural cohort brings together early‑career researchers from institutions across the U.S., tackling questions in education, climate, health, labor markets, racial equity, and social protection—areas well‑suited for randomized evaluation. Participant Felipe Juan reflected, “I initially thought RCT methodology would be out of reach, but the summer training broke down the practical steps and sparked creative experimental designs.”
Following the intensive summer session, participants enter a six‑month period of continued support, including proposal webinars with J‑PAL grants staff, office hours with senior technical advisors, and a research‑design workshop where early‑stage RCT proposals receive feedback from the broader J‑PAL network. The program also facilitates introductions to researchers with shared interests, fostering future collaborations.
This sustained mentorship model is designed to bridge the gap between a promising research idea and a funded, policy‑relevant randomized evaluation. Participants describe the experience as transformative. Hoyoung Yoo said, “The combination of expert lectures, hands‑on workshops, and thoughtful feedback sharpened my research questions, statistical power considerations, and stakeholder engagement.” Tessie Krishna added, “J‑PAL’s support continued well beyond the Summer Institute; I left with a clearer proposal, a wider network, and a real sense of belonging.”
By building technical capacity and confidence in the next generation of researchers, ARTEMIS advances J‑PAL’s global mission to reduce poverty through evidence‑based policy. The program is funded by Arnold Ventures, the Russell Sage Foundation, and the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. More information is available on the J‑PAL website.
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