About​
Founded in 1993, the CERGE-EI Foundation is dedicated to advancing economics education and research across Central and Eastern Europe, the Southern Caucasus, and Central Asia. We support both the training of future economic leaders through advanced study and the broader promotion of economic literacy in society, as expressed in our mission:
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Mission
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The CERGE-EI U.S. Foundation supports our founding partner CERGE-EI (Czech Republic) in promoting modern economic research, education and literacy. Our primary regional focus is Central and Eastern Europe and Central Asia. We also collaborate with other educational and research institutions, philanthropic entities and supranational organizations in this mission.
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Located in New York City, the Foundation is a registered US IRS 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. Financial information is available in the section Financials as well as through www.guidestar.org. The Foundation is guided by an engaged Board of Directors, with former members continuing their involvement as Ambassadors who champion and support the Foundation’s mission.
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Impact
The Foundation plays a pivotal role in strengthening modern economics education in the region. It is a key supporter of CERGE-EI, home to the most advanced PhD program in economics in Central and Eastern Europe. Through its Teaching Fellows Program , the Foundation has brought modern economics to tens of thousands of undergraduates at universities across the region—an impact unmatched in scope. Some of the key numbers:
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Our Goals
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Advance academic freedom and openness by promoting the values of free inquiry and nondiscriminatory education.
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Train the next generation of economists for government, academia, and industry in countries where these skills are in critical demand.
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TFoster cutting-edge research in both theoretical and applied economics, with a special focus on the challenges of transition from centrally planned systems to market economies.
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700 +
students have graduated from the CERGE-EI Ph.D. and M.A. programs to date.
26
countries where we offer courses through the Teaching Fellows Program.
70% +
of graduates remain in region, in direct support of our mission to reduce brain drain.
212+
universities where Teaching Fellows teach their economics courses.
278,000 +
undergraduate students in the region have received top education by Teaching Fellows.
250 +
participants in the Faculty Development courses across the region.