James Buchanan Fellowship 2026-2027

Hosted by Mercatus Center at George Mason University

📖 About the Fellowship

The James Buchanan Fellowship is a one-year, competitive fellowship program designed for scholars in any discipline who have recently graduated from their doctoral programs.

Objectives:

• Encourage early-career scholars to critically engage with ideas in the political economy of Adam Smith and the Austrian, Virginia, and Bloomington schools of political economy.
• Introduce fellows to contemporary applications of these ideas in social sciences, focusing on the dynamics and institutional underpinnings of economic, political, and social coordination.

🎁 Benefits

The fellowship offers a comprehensive package of benefits:

• Total award: Up to $8,000.
• Covers stipend amount.
• Includes reading materials.
• Covers travel and lodging for colloquia hosted by the Mercatus Center.
• Opportunity to reimburse expenses related to academic travel for the colloquia.
• Access to an international networking environment.
• A fully funded fellowship opportunity in the USA.

✅ Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Completion of a PhD program within the last six years.
• Hold an excellent academic position at an accredited university or a strong research position with an organization dedicated to in-depth research in social sciences or other sciences.
• Ability to commit to travel for three weekends for colloquia during the upcoming academic year.
• Research or teaching interests that benefit from a deeper understanding of critical writings in political economy.
• Adherence to policies, program procedures, and deadlines provided by Mercatus Center staff.
• Active participation in all scheduled fellowship events, including meals and social activities.

📝 Application Process

Applicants are required to submit the following materials:

1. Cover Letter (1-2 pages):
   • Explain your graduate school career to date.
   • Detail your research interests and current projects.
   • Outline your academic career goals.
   • Describe your familiarity with thinkers related to the Virginia, Austrian, and Bloomington schools of political economy.
   • State what you hope to gain from the program.
2. Resume/CV.
3. Academic publications (if any).
4. Responses to short answer questions.

📅 Application Deadline

15 April, 2026

🌐 Application Portal

• View detailed information about the fellowship on the Mercatus Center website.
• Apply directly via the application form.

📌 Sponsor Organization

Mercatus Center at George Mason University

This is a fantastic opportunity for early-career scholars to engage with critical ideas in political economy while benefiting from a fully funded fellowship program. Don't miss the chance to apply!

• The total award of the James Buchanan Fellowship program is up to $8,000.
• The total award will cover the stipend amount.
• It will also cover all the reading materials.
• The award amount will also cover the travel and lodging that will be required to attend colloquia hosted by the Mercatus Center.
• In addition, fellows will also have the opportunity to reimburse any expenses related to the academic travel for the colloquia.
• Fellows will be a part of an international networking environment.
• It is a fantastic opportunity to pursue a fully funded fellowship in USA