2026 CICER Summer Program in Business & Economics

The Cornell Institute for China Economic Research (CICER) has been hosting an annual summer program for college students in economics and business since 2017. Through interactive courses in economics, and big data & business analytics, academic seminars, discussion-based activities, and interactions with Cornell faculty and students, participants have the unique opportunity to experience the Ivy League academic environment and learn about cutting-edge research from Cornell’s outstanding researchers. CICER’s elite summer program has attracted ambitious undergraduate and graduate students from around the world and offered invaluable opportunities for them to consult Cornell faculty, staff, and graduate students on academic paths and career planning, network with Cornell students, and make new friends!
The dates for the 2026 summer program are 13 July – 27 July 2026. We hope to see you on the beautiful campus of Cornell University in the summer of 2026!
Application is now open. Spots are limited. Apply soon.
COURSES + CAPSTONE
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
- Courses and research seminars by faculty. (Click here to see a list of course instructors and guest speakers for CICER summer programs.
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Business analysis simulation labs and competition (certificates awarded to top teams).
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Information and Q&A session about U.S. graduate school application.
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Panel discussion about working experience in the industry sectors by industry leaders and Cornell alums.
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Academic consultations with Cornell faculty.
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Certificate issued by CICER upon adhering to code of conduct and completing course requirements.
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Graded end-of-program exam. (Students with excellent performance may request a recommendation letter from CICER director for graduate school application.)
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Visitation to places of interest, including Niagara Falls, Watkins Glen State Park, Finger Lakes winery, etc.
APPLICATION TIMELINE
Milestone | Date |
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Application & rolling admission begins † | October 15, 2025 |
Early bird application deadline | December 31, 2025 |
Regular application deadline * | April 1, 2026 |
Program begins | July 13, 2026 |
† Upon admission and receipt of a non-refundable deposit amount of $1,500, CICER will provide an official invitation letter, tips, and a checklist for Visa application. (Applicants will apply for a B1/B2 Visa if they do not yet have a valid U.S. Visa.) Applicants will be responsible for paying Visa application-related fees.
Applicants will be notified of their application results via email. Admitted applicants must accept the offer by replying to the email and pay the program fee within 15 business days after the offer letter was sent. Failure to do so will be considered a decline to the offer, and other applicants will be given the available spots instead.
* If you already have a U.S. Visa, we may accept your application after the deadline.
Considering the possibly long wait time for a visa interview appointment at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate, we encourage you to apply sooner than later.
PROGRAM FEE
The program fee ($4,900) includes accommodation at Cornell housing, some meals, course materials, entrance fees to places of visit, and transportation fees for CICER-organized events.
Early bird applicants are offered a discount of $200.
NOTE: The fee does not include your costs for traveling to participate in the program. You may pay an additional small fee to take our chartered bus (with limited seats) for JFK airport pick up and/or drop off. (For more information about how to get to Cornell, please visit Travel to Campus or Getting to Cornell.)
If you choose to participate in any optional recreational activities (e.g., exercising in a gym, swimming, canoeing, rock climbing, etc.) on Cornell campus that requires a fee, you will be responsible for paying it.
REQUIRED APPLICATION MATERIALS
All applicants are required to submit the following materials:
- Completed online application form.
- Personal statement (350-500 words). Describe yourself, your interests and goals, and explain why you want to join the program.
- Latest transcript.
- English proficiency exam scores (e.g., CET4/6, TOEFL, IELTS, DuoLingo, or GRE). If English is the language of instruction in your university, you may also upload a university-issued letter as proof.
Please note that we will not process any incomplete applications!
CONTACT US
Email: cicer@cornell.edu
WeChat Assistant: cicercornell
WeChat Official Account: cornellcicer
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