The Benjamin H. Griswold III, Class of 1933, Center for Economic Policy Studies funds economic policy-related research projects within Princeton’s Department of Economics.
National College Fed Challenge Competition
The College Fed Challenge is an annual competition hosted by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and the Federal Reserve Banks. Teams analyze current economic and financial conditions, and formulate a monetary policy recommendation modeling the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC). The College Fed Challenge began in 2004, and Princeton’s team transferred sponsorship from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York to the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia in 2010. College Fed Challenge Orientation Video.
The College Fed Challenge aim is “to encourage students to learn more about the U.S. economy, the Federal Reserve System, and the implementation of monetary policy.” Team members broaden their knowledge about economics and policy-making, conduct rigorous academic research, meet like-minded peers, and learn from experienced central bank officials. Throughout the year, members engage in discussions about macroeconomics and monetary policy. In addition, members benefit from resources and support provided by the Griswold Center for Economic Policy Studies (GCEPS).
Alan Blinder, GCEPS founder and former co-director, Carolyn Wilkins, GCEPS senior research scholar, and William Dudley, GCEPS senior advisor, serve as team advisors. The challenge consists of regional and national rounds taking place from October to December, and Princeton’s team has achieved excellent performances, including first nationally in 2022.
All undergraduates interested in economics and policy regardless of their concentration are most welcome! Contact Bracklinn Williams ’25 bracklinn@princeton.edu and Daniel Sozanski ’26 ds7404@princeton.edu for application-related questions.
Applications for the 2024-25 Fed Challenge Team are now open! Fill out this interest form.
2024 College Fed Challenge Team
2024 National finalists, Winners
“Princeton University won the 21st annual national College Fed Challenge, a team competition that encourages undergraduate students to learn about the U.S. economy, monetary policymaking, and the role of the Federal Reserve System. Teams analyze economic and financial conditions and formulate a monetary policy recommendation, modeling the Federal Open Market Committee.” 119 schools submitted video presentations or participated in local virtual competitions; eighteen semi-finalist teams participated in question-and-answer sessions, and six finalists were selected and their presentations and questions and answers reviewed to determine the winners.
Federal Reserve Press Release
Economics Department Student News: Princeton Team Wins 2024 College Fed Challenge
Presenters: Bracklinn Williams ’25 (co-captain), Daniel Sozanski ’26 (co-captain), Eleanor Clemans-Cope ’26, Elliot Lee ’26, William Neumann ’27, Bijaan Noormohamed ’27 (alternate), and Manuel García-San-Millán ’27 (alternate). Advisors: Alan Blinder, William Dudley, and Carolyn Wilkins.
National College Fed Challenge 2024 Awards Ceremony
2024 Team Photo
Prior College Fed Challenge Teams
2023 National finalists, Second Place
107 schools submitted video presentations or participated in local virtual competitions; eighteen semi-finalist teams participated in question-and-answer sessions, and six finalists were selected and their presentations and questions and answers reviewed to determine the winners.
Federal Reserve Press Release
Presenters: Shirley (Yilin) Ren ’24 (co-captain), Lauren Fahlberg ’24 (co-captain), Eleanor Clemans-Cope ’26, Elliot Lee ’26, Bracklinn Williams ’25, and Daniel Sozanski ’26 (alternate). Advisors: Alan Blinder, William Dudley, and Carolyn Wilkins.
National College Fed Challenge 2023 Awards Ceremony
2023 Team Photo
2023 Team Photo with Chair Jerome Powell (absent, Bracklinn Williams) at the College Fed Challenge Open House, Federal Reserve Board of Governors, Washington, DC, 2/9/24. Photo credit: Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.
2022 National finalists, Winners
“Princeton University won the 19th annual national College Fed Challenge on Friday, a team competition that encourages undergraduate students to learn about the U.S. economy, monetary policymaking, and the role of the Federal Reserve System. Teams analyze economic and financial conditions and formulate a monetary policy recommendation, modeling the Federal Open Market Committee.” 84 schools submitted video presentations or participated in local virtual competitions; eighteen semi-finalist teams participated in question-and-answer sessions, and six finalists were selected and their presentations and questions and answers reviewed to determine the winners.
Federal Reserve Press Release
Economics Department Student News: Princeton Students Win First Place in 2022 College Fed Challenge
Presenters: Shivani Prusty ’23 (co-captain), Shirley (Yilin) Ren ’24 (co-captain), Lauren Fahlberg ’24, Noah Harrigan ’24, and Richard Zhu ’23. Advisors: Alan Blinder, William Dudley, and Carolyn Wilkins.
National College Fed Challenge 2022 Awards Ceremony
2022 Team Photo
2021 National semifinalists
74 schools submitted video presentations or participated in local virtual competitions; eighteen semi-finalist teams participated in question-and-answer sessions, and six finalists were selected and their presentations and questions and answers reviewed to determine the winners.
Presenters: Leland Domaratzky ’22 (co-captain), Shivani Prusty ’23 (co-captain), Noah Harrigan ’24, Allen Liu ’22, Justin Ong ’23, and Shirley (Yilin) Ren ’24. Advisors: Alan Blinder, William Dudley.
2021 Team Photo
2020 National finalists, Third Place
85 schools submitted video presentations or participated in local virtual competitions; eighteen semi-finalist teams participated in question-and-answer sessions, and six finalists were selected and their presentations and questions and answers reviewed to determine the winners.
Presenters: Stephanie Hu ’21 (co-captain), Aditya Shah ’21 (co-captain), William Carpenter ’21, Leland Domaratzky ’22, and Shivani Prusty ’23. Advisors: Alan Blinder, William Dudley.
2020 Team Photo
2019 Philadelphia District, Second Place
Presenters: Philip Cornell ’20 (co-captain), Nicholas Garvey ’20 (co-captain), Leland Domaratzky ’22, Stephanie Hu ’21, David Selwood ’20, and Aditya Shah ’21
2019 Team Photo
2018 Philadelphia District, First Place; National finalists, Honorable Mention
Presenters: Eitan Sapiro-Gheiler ’19 (captain), Philip Cornell ’20, Nicholas Garvey ’20, Brighie Leach ’19, Isabel Leigh ’19, and Nicholas Ritter ’20
2018 Team Photo
2017 Philadelphia District, First Place; National finalists, Honorable Mention
Presenters: Sara Diressova ’18 (co-captain), Eitan Sapiro-Gheiler ’19 (co-captain), Brighid Leach ’19, Wyatt Navarro ’18, Melissa Reed ’18, and Brandon Tan ’19
2017 Team Photo
2016 Philadelphia District, First Place; National finalists, Honorable Mention
Presenters: Ararat Gocmen ’17 (captain), René Chalom ’17, Sara Diressova ’18, Wyatt Navarro ’18, Melissa Reed ’18, and Andrew Tynes ’17
2016 Team Photo
2015 Philadelphia District, First Place; National finalists, Honorable Mention
Presenters: Joseph Atlas ’16 (captain), Evan Soltas ’16 (captain), Nassim Fedel ’16, Ararat Gocmen ’17, David Perlman ’16, and James Siderius ’16
2015 Team Photo
2014 Philadelphia District, First Place; National finalists, Second Place
Presenters: Joseph Atlas ’16 (captain), Nassim Fedel ’16, Ararat Gocmen ’17, David Perlman ’16, James Siderius ’16, and Evan Soltas ’16
2014 Team Photo
2013 Philadelphia District
Presenters: Joseph Atlas ’16 (co-captain), James Siderius ’16 (co-captain), Alexander Daifotis ’14, Ararat Gocmen ’17, David Perlman ’16, and Evan Soltas ’16