The objective of the Center for International Macroeconomics (CIM) is to foster basic research on international macroeconomics. Current faculty fellows are drawn from both the Economics department and the Kellogg School of Management.The center organizes regular conferences and invites distinguished scholars to give lectures at Northwestern University.

In addition, the center organizes a week-long Advanced Workshop for Central Bankers. The center supports the research of faculty fellows and grants fellowships to students working in international macroeconomics topics.

The CIM was formerly known as the Center for International Economics and Development. The name change reflects a renewed focus on international macroeconomics and the establishment of a new center at Northwestern focused on development issues (Center for the Study of Development Economics).