Fed Challenge
College Fed Challenge

The College Fed Challenge is an academic competition that provides undergraduate students the opportunity to study the U.S. economy through the lens of the Federal Reserve, the U.S. central bank. The program encourages students to learn more about economics and the work of the bank’s Federal Open Market Committee. Enriching on many levels, it challenges participants to think critically about the economy, construct a solid argument, and present their research to Federal Reserve Bank economists.

2024 College Fed Challenge Competition

The Federal Reserve, along with co-sponsoring Federal Reserve Banks and regional planning universities, have made the decision to again host the National College Fed Challenge virtually to ensure the competition can be held in 2023. Please see College Fed Challenge 2023 Rules and Steps for details.

The virtual format will continue to allow schools outside the current Fed Challenge districts to compete in an "at-large" region.

The College Fed Challenge 2024 will consist of:

  • Virtual video submission of 15-minute presentation
  • A national rubric, taking into account both academic and regional representation
  • Virtual and judged Q&A (recorded) using section IV of the national rubric
  • Virtual event announcing winner in November, which will be posted on-demand
  • Optional College Fed Challenge open house for those competing in 2024 (Washington, D.C.)

Key Dates

Event Date
Drop-in call 1 (optional) Monday, June 24, 2024, at 12:00 p.m. EDT
Drop-in call 2 (optional) Friday, July 26 2024, 1:30 at p.m. EDT
Drop-in call 3 (optional) Wednesday, August 28, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. EDT
Registration deadline Thursday, September 26, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. EDT
Video submission deadline Thursday, October 3, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. EDT
Virtual Q&A November 12-14, 2024
Winner announcement Friday, November 22, 2024
Fed Challenge open house (for 2024 competition participants) TBA 2025 - Washington, D.C.
  • 2024 competition participants will network with staff, competitors, & judges
  • Preparation & orientation for 2025 Fed Challenge

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