How to apply for Grantee, Emergent Ventures

About George Mason University, Mercatus Center

The Mercatus Center at George Mason University is a unique free-market think tank that bridges academic research with practical public policy solutions. Emergent Ventures, administered by renowned economist Tyler Cowen, stands out for its low-overhead, high-impact approach to funding 'zero to one' ideas that can meaningfully improve society at scale.

About the role

As an Emergent Ventures grantee, you'll receive funding and support to develop and execute a highly scalable, innovative project aimed at societal improvement. This contract role involves turning your breakthrough idea into reality with the backing of a prestigious program known for supporting brilliant minds tackling significant challenges.

A typical day

As an Emergent Ventures grantee, your typical day involves independently advancing your innovative project, whether through research, development, or implementation. You'll work remotely with periodic check-ins, focusing on turning your breakthrough idea into reality while having the freedom to pursue your vision with minimal bureaucratic constraints.

Who George Mason University, Mercatus Center is looking for

• An entrepreneur or thinker with a truly novel 'zero to one' idea that could scale to create meaningful societal impact
• Someone working on projects with potential global significance, particularly with focus regions like India, Africa, the Caribbean, or Ukraine
• A self-starter who can work independently in a remote, global setting with minimal oversight
• An individual aged 13+ with a track record of innovative thinking or execution capability

Tips for this application

• Clearly articulate how your idea represents a 'zero to one' innovation rather than incremental improvement
• Demonstrate the scalability potential of your project and how it could meaningfully improve society
• If applicable, highlight your connection to or understanding of focus regions (India, Africa, Caribbean, Ukraine)
• Reference Tyler Cowen's work or philosophy to show genuine alignment with Emergent Ventures' approach
• Include specific metrics or milestones you aim to achieve with the grant funding

What to cover in your cover letter

["Your unique 'zero to one' idea and why it represents a breakthrough rather than incremental progress", "How your project aligns with Emergent Ventures' mission of scalable societal improvement", 'Your ability to execute independently with minimal oversight in a remote setting', 'Any relevant experience or insights related to focus regions if applicable']

Research before applying

• Tyler Cowen's blog 'Marginal Revolution' and his philosophy on innovation and progress
• Previous Emergent Ventures grant winners and their projects to understand what gets funded
• The Fast Grants spin-off program and its impact on COVID-19 research
• Mercatus Center's free-market orientation and how it influences Emergent Ventures' approach

Likely interview topics

Based on the job description, expect questions about:

• Walk us through your 'zero to one' idea and why it's uniquely positioned to create societal impact
• How would you measure the success and scalability of your project?
• What specific challenges do you anticipate in executing this idea and how would you overcome them?
• How does your work align with Tyler Cowen's philosophy and Emergent Ventures' approach to innovation?
• If focusing on a specific region, how does your project address unique challenges or opportunities there?

Common mistakes to avoid

• Presenting incremental improvements rather than true 'zero to one' innovations
• Failing to demonstrate how your project could scale to create meaningful societal impact
• Showing lack of understanding about Emergent Ventures' specific focus on scalable ideas and Tyler Cowen's philosophy