The Mercatus Center at George Mason University is now accepting applications for the Frédéric Bastiat Fellowship 2026–2027, a highly competitive, fully supported, one-year academic and policy fellowship designed for graduate students who are passionate about understanding how economic ideas influence real-world governance and public policy.
Named after the renowned 19th-century political economist Frédéric Bastiat, the fellowship seeks to cultivate the next generation of scholars, policymakers, and thought leaders who value rigorous analysis, institutional thinking, and evidence-based approaches to social and economic challenges.
About the Frédéric Bastiat Fellowship
The Frédéric Bastiat Fellowship is a scholarly enrichment program, not a degree program. It is structured to complement participants’ existing graduate studies while providing deep exposure to political economy, public choice, and institutional analysis.
Fellows engage with a vibrant intellectual community at the Mercatus Center, one of the world’s leading research institutions focused on market-oriented policy, governance, and economic systems. Through seminars, colloquia, mentoring, and networking opportunities, fellows develop the tools needed to critically analyze public policy and contribute meaningfully to academic, policy, and civic debates.
Who Should Apply?
The fellowship is open to graduate students from any country and any academic discipline who are currently enrolled in:
- Master’s programs
- Juris Doctor (JD) programs
- Doctoral (PhD) programs
Applicants do not need a background in economics or public policy. Students from fields such as law, political science, sociology, philosophy, history, international relations, public administration, engineering, or the natural sciences are strongly encouraged to apply, provided they demonstrate a clear interest in political economy and public policy.
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Ideal Candidates Are:
- Curious about how institutions, incentives, and ideas shape social outcomes
- Interested in evidence-based policy analysis
- Motivated to bridge theory and practice
- Open to interdisciplinary perspectives
- Committed to intellectual rigor and open inquiry
The Mercatus Center values diversity of thought, background, and academic training, and welcomes applications from students at universities around the world.
What Fellows Gain
1. Intellectual Training in Political Economy
Fellows receive structured exposure to major traditions in political economy, including:
- Austrian School of Economics – entrepreneurship, market processes, and knowledge problems
- Virginia School (Public Choice) – political incentives, constitutional economics, and governance
- Bloomington School – institutional diversity, polycentric governance, and collective action
This training equips fellows with analytical frameworks that are highly relevant to policy design, reform, and evaluation.
2. Participation in Mercatus Colloquia
Fellows are invited to attend Mercatus-hosted colloquia and workshops, where they:
- Engage with leading economists, legal scholars, and policy experts
- Discuss cutting-edge research and policy debates
- Receive feedback on their own research ideas
- Build confidence in academic and policy discussions
These events are designed to be interactive, intellectually challenging, and supportive.
3. Financial Support (Up to USD $5,000)
The fellowship provides financial support of up to $5,000, which may be used for:
- Stipends
- Academic materials and books
- Travel and accommodation related to fellowship activities
- Participation in Mercatus events
This funding helps reduce financial barriers and enables fellows to fully engage in the program.
4. Mentorship and Professional Development
Fellows benefit from:
- Guidance from Mercatus scholars and program staff
- Insights into academic publishing and policy research
- Exposure to career paths in academia, think tanks, government, NGOs, and international organizations
The fellowship supports both intellectual growth and career development.
5. Global Academic and Policy Network
Participants join a growing international network of:
- Past and current Bastiat Fellows
- Mercatus scholars and affiliates
- Policy professionals and researchers worldwide
This network provides long-term value through collaboration, mentorship, and professional opportunities well beyond the fellowship year.
Fellowship Structure and Duration
- Duration: One academic year (2026–2027)
- Format: Hybrid (combination of virtual engagement and in-person events, depending on location and schedule)
- Time Commitment: Designed to be manageable alongside full-time graduate studies
The fellowship is intentionally flexible, allowing participants to integrate learning into their existing academic and professional commitments.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the Frédéric Bastiat Fellowship, applicants must:
- Be currently enrolled in a graduate program (Master’s, JD, or PhD) during the fellowship year
- Be enrolled at an accredited institution anywhere in the world
- Demonstrate a strong interest in public policy, political economy, or governance
- Be able to commit time to fellowship activities alongside their studies
There are no nationality restrictions and no requirement to study economics specifically.
How to Apply
Applying for the Frédéric Bastiat Fellowship is straightforward and fully online.
Step-by-Step Application Process:
- Visit the official application page on the Mercatus Center website or Contact the programme team with additional questions at
BastiatFellowship@mercatus.gmu.edu - Complete the online application form with your academic and personal details
- Submit required materials, which typically include:
- Academic CV or résumé
- Statement of interest explaining your policy interests and motivation for applying
- Academic background and current program details
- Review and submit your application before the deadline
Applicants are encouraged to clearly articulate:
- Their intellectual interests
- How the fellowship aligns with their academic or professional goals
- Why they are interested in political economy and policy analysis
Application Deadline
Final application deadline: 15 March 2026
Early applications are encouraged, as the fellowship is highly competitive and attracts candidates from across the globe.
Why the Frédéric Bastiat Fellowship Matters
In a world facing complex policy challenges—from economic development and governance reform to regulation, innovation, and institutional trust—the need for thoughtful, well-trained policy thinkers has never been greater.
The Frédéric Bastiat Fellowship offers more than funding; it provides a rare opportunity to:
- Sharpen analytical skills
- Engage with leading ideas and scholars
- Build a foundation for long-term impact in academia, policy, or public service
For graduate students eager to understand how ideas move from theory to practice, this fellowship is a powerful step forward.