Apply for the 2026–2027 Frédéric Bastiat Fellowship for Graduate Students

Graduate students interested in public policy have a prestigious opportunity to advance their academic careers and deepen their policy analysis skills. The Mercatus Center at George Mason University is now accepting applications for the 2026–2027 Frédéric Bastiat Fellowship, a one-year competitive fellowship designed to introduce students to foundational schools of political economy and connect them with leading scholars.

This fellowship provides up to USD 5,000 in financial support, covering a stipend, required readings, travel, and lodging for in-person colloquia. Applicants from any discipline and from any country are encouraged to apply, making this fellowship particularly valuable for students seeking to bridge academic theory with real-world public policy challenges.

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About the Frédéric Bastiat Fellowship

The Frédéric Bastiat Fellowship is a one-year, competitive program for graduate students enrolled in master’s, juris doctoral (JD), or doctoral (PhD) programs at universities worldwide. The program emphasizes the ideas and methods of the Austrian, Virginia, and Bloomington schools of political economy, which provide analytical foundations for contemporary policy analysis and research.

Fellows participate in scheduled weekend colloquia hosted by the Mercatus Center, where they engage directly with Mercatus scholars and a diverse cohort of peers. These sessions explore how political economy frameworks can be applied to topics such as entrepreneurship, innovation, regulation, public health, migration, fiscal policy, and more.

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Eligibility and Qualifications

To be eligible for the Frédéric Bastiat Fellowship, applicants must:

• Be enrolled in a graduate degree program during the 2026–2027 academic year at any accredited university (master’s, JD, PhD, or equivalent).

• Be willing and able to travel to attend multiple weekend colloquia during the fellowship year.

The program is open to students from any field, including but not limited to economics, law, political science, public policy, sociology, philosophy, and public health. Prior training in political economy is not required, but applicants should demonstrate a strong interest in public policy research and Mercatus’s approach to economic ideas.

There are no nationality or residency restrictions — students based inside or outside the United States are eligible to apply.

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Award and Benefits

Selected fellows will receive a total award of up to USD 5,000, which includes:

• A stipend to support academic and living expenses

• All required readings and academic materials

• Travel and lodging for in-person colloquia hosted by the Mercatus Center

• Networking opportunities with Mercatus scholars, fellow students, alumni, and policy researchers

The fellowship also helps cover additional conventional travel expenses through reimbursements for typical costs like local transportation and accommodations, if appropriate.

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What Fellows Are Expected to Do

Fellows must remain enrolled as a graduate student throughout the fellowship year. They are expected to:

• Attend and actively participate in all scheduled colloquia, including sessions, planned discussions, and social events.

• Complete required readings before each colloquium and engage thoughtfully with the materials.

• Interact with fellow students and Mercatus faculty to build a network of peers and mentors.

Attendance at meal-time discussions and networking activities is considered part of the program because valuable intellectual exchanges often continue beyond formal sessions.

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How to Apply

Applications typically require:

• A cover letter (1–2 pages) detailing your academic background, research interests, familiarity with Mercatus scholars, and what you hope to gain from the fellowship.

• A current resume or curriculum vitae.

• Responses to a set of short answer questions detailing your policy interests and motivations.

Applications and specific instructions can be accessed through the Mercatus Center’s Academic & Student Programs portal.

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Application Deadline

Applications for the 2026–2027 Frédéric Bastiat Fellowship are due March 15, 2026.
Application review begins after the deadline, with decisions announced approximately twelve or more weeks later. Mercatus Center

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Why This Fellowship Matters

The Frédéric Bastiat Fellowship equips graduate students with analytical tools, interdisciplinary perspectives, and a collaborative network that can influence academic research, policy debates, and professional development. By engaging with foundational frameworks in political economy and connecting with practitioners at the forefront of policy analysis, fellows gain insights that extend far beyond traditional classroom learning.

To know more about such opportunities, click here.