GTAP-U is the formal education initiative of the Global Trade Analysis Project (GTAP) and builds on the Center's three decades of teaching experience in the field of global economic analysis. The goal of GTAP-U is to expand access and improve educational and career opportunities for students and professionals, worldwide.
GTAP-U offers courses on computable general equilibrium (CGE) modeling at the introductory, intermediate, and advanced levels, with specialized topics for in-depth policy analysis and advanced economic models. CGE models are widely used in the public and private sectors to inform strategic economic policy decisions—among the most prominent are trade, fiscal, and environmental policies. As such, they garner strong interest from national and international organizations, government agencies, consultancies, as well as research institutions.
GTAP-U delivers high-quality theoretical and practical training in applied CGE modeling using the GTAP suite of models and data bases. Aimed towards building human capital in global economic analysis, GTAP-U courses help develop critical skills for independent economic research; connect individuals with diverse backgrounds and expertise across the globe; provide mentoring opportunities for training and capacity-building in institutions; and generate economic discussions that often lead to research opportunities in the global economic analysis community.
GTAP-U Education Mission and Goals
Build Human Capital Deliver high quality, practical training in applied CGE modeling using the GTAP framework
Broaden Participation Include more under-represented and under-resourced individuals, institutions, and countries
Quality Assurance Maintain and improve course quality with new technologies, regular reviews, and content updates
Connect Network Provide learning, mentoring, and teaching opportunities for the CGE modeling community
Strong GTAP Brand Strengthen GTAP brand as a CGE-hub that fosters continued collaboration in education and research
GTAP-U Course Catalog
Click the levels below to explore the GTAP-U course catalog.
GTAP 101 Course
"Introduction to Computable General Equilibrium Modeling in the GTAP Framework"
The objective of the GTAP 101 Course is to engage participants in an active, team-based process of learning about the GTAP computable general equilibrium (CGE) model and its use in applied economic policy analysis.
GTAP Dynamic Short Course
"Applied General Equilibrium Analysis using a Dynamic Multi-Region Model"
The objective of the GTAP Dynamic Short Course is to introduce participants to dynamic economic analysis in an applied general equilibrium setting where participants leave with the capability of conducting and analyzing their own dynamic simulations.
| Course Type: |
Hybrid (Online + Residential) |
| Duration: |
6 weeks online + 5 days residential |
| Prerequisites: |
Courses on multi-region general equilibrium analysis or completion of a significant piece of analysis using a dynamic multi-region GE model or another, comparable general equilibrium model |
| Request Info: |
contactgtap@purdue.edu |
GTAP Preferential Trade Agreements (PTA) Course
"Applied Policy Analysis: Course on Preferential Trade Agreements"
The GTAP PTA Course is designed to provide professionals and students with hands-on, applied training in the analysis of preferential trade agreements (PTAs) using the GTAP computable general equilibrium model where they will develop applied skills in the design of PTA experiments, the implementation of changes in tariff and non-tariff barriers, and the analysis of model results.
| Course Type: |
Online |
| Duration: |
6 weeks |
| Prerequisites: |
Completion of the GTAP 101 and/or GTAP Short Course |
| Request Info: |
contactgtap@purdue.edu |
GTAP Firm Heterogeneity (GTAP-HET) Course
"Introduction to Firm Heterogeneity in the GTAP Model"
The GTAP-HET Course is designed to provide professional economists and Masters/PhD students with the tools and skills necessary to use advanced trade theories in trade policy analysis such as the Armington, Krugman and Melitz models.
| Course Type: |
Online |
| Duration: |
7 weeks |
| Prerequisites: |
Completion of the GTAP 101 and/or GTAP Short Course, or working experience with the standard GTAP Model |
| Request Info: |
contactgtap@purdue.edu |
SIMPLE-G Course
"Multi-scale Analysis of Sustainability Issues Using the SIMPLE-G Model"
The SIMPLE-G course is designed to provide students comprehensive training in the equilibrium modeling tools for economic as well as interdisciplinary analysis of sustainability issues across local, national and global scales. The SIMPLE model is designed particularly for interdisciplinary research. Many participants are not economists, but would like to learn some economic modeling skills or understand the language.
| Course Type: |
Hybrid (Online + Residential) |
| Duration: |
4 weeks online + 1 week residential |
| Request Info: |
liu207@purdue.edu |
Free Training Materials
A number of free training videos is available on YouTube through the link below.
Free Training Videos