PhD Summer School: AI and Natural Language Processing in Financial Economics
AdminJune 29 - July 3, 2026 | Lugano, Switzerland
Application Deadline: February 1, 2026
Fee: 1,000 CHF (Students/Faculty) | 2,500 CHF (Others)
Summer School Overview
Week-long intensive PhD summer school on using AI and Natural Language Processing (NLP) methods in financial economics research.
Institution: Università della Svizzera italiana (USI) Location: Lugano, Switzerland Dates: June 29 - July 3, 2026 (5 days) Format: Lectures, tutorials, practical sessions, mini-seminars Instructors: Prof. Laurent Frésard (USI), Prof. Gordon Phillips (Dartmouth) Application Deadline: February 1, 2026 Decision Date: February 15, 2026
Course Objectives
The summer school aims to:
- Equip PhD students with deep understanding of NLP and AI transforming finance research
- Teach empirical tools - Full pipeline from text extraction to machine learning models and large language models (LLMs)
- Applications in finance - Covering corporate finance, disclosure, financial intermediation
- Explore big data impacts - How AI reshapes firms' decisions, markets, and economic agents' behavior
- Hands-on skill development - Practical experience with latest methods and tools
- Research integration - Guidance for incorporating NLP/AI into participants' own research
Course Structure
Total Hours: 10 sessions of 3 hours each (mornings and afternoons)
Session Breakdown
Sessions 1-2: Research Methods & Computational Linguistics (6 hours)
- Evolution of text-based research methods
- Recent developments in computational linguistics
- Foundations for NLP in finance
Sessions 3-6: NLP/AI Applications in Finance (12 hours) Four specialized research areas:
- Mergers and acquisitions (M&A)
- Innovation and technological progress
- Product markets and market structure
- Corporate governance
Sessions 7-8: AI Effects on Business & Markets (6 hours)
- How firms use AI in decision-making
- Investment decisions under AI
- Financing choices
- Product decisions and pricing
- Market interactions and dynamics
Sessions 9-10: Practical Python Sessions (6 hours)
- Step-by-step computational linguistics tutorials
- Using Python for financial text analysis
- Replication of product market boundary measurements
- Real-world applications from firm annual reports
Bonus: Mini-Seminar Session
- Participants present their own work
- Receive feedback from instructors and peers
- Networking with other PhD students
Who Should Apply
Target Audience:
- PhD students (completed core courses)
- Economics PhD students
- Finance PhD students
- Business school PhD students
- Interested faculty members
- Research practitioners
- Professionals in finance/tech
Ideal Background:
- Completed core PhD coursework (macro, micro, econometrics)
- Interest in finance and/or economics
- Willingness to learn programming (Python)
- No prior NLP experience required (course is self-contained)
Lecturers
- Università della Svizzera italiana (USI)
- Swiss Finance Institute (SFI)
- Tuck School of Business, Dartmouth College
- Director: Hoberg-Phillips Product Market Measures
- Website: hobergphillips.tuck.dartmouth.edu
Key Resources
Replication Materials:
- Full replication kits provided
- Product market boundary measurements
- Python code and datasets
- Step-by-step tutorials
Preparation Materials:
- Pre-course materials for Python beginners
- Background reading on NLP/AI in finance
- Foundational concepts review
Support:
- Hands-on tutorials during sessions
- Office hours with instructors
- Peer collaboration opportunities
- Feedback on research projects
Application Process
Deadline: February 1, 2026
Decision Timeline:
- February 15, 2026: Applicants notified of:
- Whether summer school will run (minimum enrollment required)
- Whether applicant is admitted
Possible Second Round:
- March 2026 application deadline
- Early April 2026 decision
- Not guaranteed: Only if first round doesn't fill
Application Method: Online form (link provided on course website)
Fees & Funding
Fee Structure:
- Students/Faculty at academic institutions: 1,000 CHF
- Other participants: 2,500 CHF
- Includes: Lectures, tutorials, preparation materials for Python beginners
- NOT included: Food and accommodation
Scholarships Available:
- Number of scholarships for Swiss Finance Institute (SFI) affiliated students
- Contact instructors for SFI scholarship eligibility
Cost Considerations:
- Accommodation in Lugano: Budget 100-150 CHF/night
- Food: Budget 50-70 CHF/day
- Travel to Lugano: Flight/train costs vary
Important Preparation
Before Attending:
- Complete core PhD coursework recommended
- Basic familiarity with Python helpful (tutorials provided)
- Review provided background materials
- Prepare research questions if presenting work
- Arrange accommodation early (limited availability)
For Python Beginners:
- Pre-course materials provided
- Tutorial sessions included
- Support available during sessions
- No programming experience required
For More Information
For Questions:
- Prof. Laurent Frésard (Course Director)
- Prof. Gordon Phillips (Co-Instructor)
- Email through course website
Apply Online:
- Link provided on USI summer school website
- Application form with CV, research interests, background
Timeline Summary
- February 1, 2026: Application deadline
- February 15, 2026: Admission decisions
- April 2026: Possible second application round (not guaranteed)
- June 29 - July 3, 2026: Summer school dates
Application Deadline: February 1, 2026
