Raphael W. Bostic Fellowship for Economic Opportunity

APPAM, in partnership with the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, will award the Raphael W. Bostic Fellowship for Economic Opportunity in honor of his retirement. This Fellowship will support travel costs to APPAM’s Annual Fall Research Conference for one scholar engaged in research that examines how policies, institutions, and market structures shape economic opportunity and equity, with an emphasis on addressing racial and social disparities, advancing economic equity, and dismantling systemic barriers to financial and housing security for historically marginalized communities.

Applicants must:

  • Be a current APPAM Professional Member. Students are not eligible to apply for this award.
  • Be engaged in research that addresses housing, credit, and/or community development, with a demonstrated focus on racial and social disparities, economic equity, and systemic barriers affecting historically marginalized communities.
  • Provide a resume/CV and one letter of recommendation.
  • Provide at least one and up to three recent completed research products that highlight contributions to the area.

Priority research areas include: Housing Access, Stability and Finance, Community Development and Reinvestment, Credit Markets, Financial Inclusion, Homeownership, Wealth-Building, Economic Mobility, Race, Identity and Discrimination in Home Ownership, Institutional Bias, and other related areas.

The recipient will receive the following:

  • Complimentary APPAM Fall Research conference registration fee
  • $599 stipend to offset costs of transportation (air and ground) as well as meals during the conference
  • Three nights’ accommodation at the conference hotel

Applications are now closed.

Congratulations to the 2026 Recipient of the Raphael W. Bostic Fellowship for Economic Opportunity!

Joe LaBriola is recognized with the 2026 Raphael W. Bostic Fellowship for Economic Opportunity for his innovative research examining how housing policy and housing markets shape economic and racial inequality. His scholarship goes beyond documenting disparities to examine how public policies—including local land-use regulations and the mortgage interest tax deduction—contribute to the unequal distribution of wealth and opportunity.

Joe’s work brings rigorous empirical research to important questions of economic mobility and racial equity, with implications for scholars and policymakers across sociology, demography, economics, and public policy. His thoughtful scholarship, commitment to understanding the policy roots of inequality, and contributions to the intellectual community make him a deserving recipient of the Bostic Fellowship.

Joe LaBriola
University of Michigan, Survey Research Center

Equity & Inclusion Fellowships Questions