OpenAI is introducing the OpenAI Economic Research Exchange, a new platform designed to fund rigorous external research on how artificial intelligence affects the economy. The program connects selected researchers with OpenAI Economic Research for structured, project-based collaborations. It aims to generate credible evidence on AI's effects on workers, businesses, and institutions.

Applications open now with a July 5, 2026 deadline. Researchers will use carefully governed, privacy-protected access to OpenAI tools and datasets to address critical questions about AI's economic impact. The initiative builds on OpenAI Signals, the company's existing economic measurement efforts. Selected projects must include clear milestones and data governance protocols.

Proposals will be evaluated on methodological rigor, feasibility, and potential to produce independent evidence. The program prioritizes research in labor economics, productivity, firms, education, and inequality. Researchers with expertise in applied causal inference are especially encouraged to apply. Findings will inform policymakers and businesses navigating rapid AI advancement.

By supporting external collaborations, OpenAI seeks to expand the evidence base on AI's economic effects beyond traditional datasets. The exchange represents a step toward more transparent, data-driven understanding of technological change.