Application Guide
How to Apply for Multiple Global PhD Fellowships
at Mercatus Center at George Mason University
🏢 About Mercatus Center at George Mason University
The Mercatus Center at George Mason University is unique as a premier academic research center focused on advancing market-oriented ideas through rigorous scholarship and practical policy applications. It stands out for its Austrian economics and public choice foundations, offering fellows direct access to leading scholars in political economy while bridging academic research with real-world policy impact. Working here means joining a network that values interdisciplinary approaches to solving complex societal problems through market-based solutions.
About This Role
This Global PhD Fellowship involves deep academic engagement with political economy, market process economics, and institutional analysis, with specific fellowships focusing on applying these frameworks to emerging technologies and AI. Recipients conduct original research or policy analysis that translates economic ideas into actionable solutions for public policy challenges. The role is impactful because it provides hands-on experience in a dynamic environment where fellows can explore individual interests while contributing to Mercatus's mission of advancing market-based approaches to social change.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day might involve independent research on political economy frameworks applied to emerging technology policy, supplemented by virtual seminars or discussions with Mercatus scholars and fellow recipients. This could include analyzing institutional factors affecting AI governance, drafting policy briefs that translate academic insights into actionable recommendations, and participating in remote working groups to explore market-based solutions to contemporary social challenges.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who Mercatus Center at George Mason University Is Looking For
- A PhD student in economics or related disciplines (e.g., political science, public policy) from an accredited university, with demonstrated interest in Austrian economics, public choice, or institutional analysis
- Someone with research experience or coursework in emerging technologies/AI (for relevant fellowships), able to apply economic frameworks to tech policy issues
- An early-career scholar or graduate student who can bridge academic theory with practical policy applications, showing curiosity about real-world problem-solving
- A candidate with interdisciplinary interests, comfortable engaging with political economy literature while exploring individual research agendas within Mercatus's focus areas
📝 Tips for Applying to Mercatus Center at George Mason University
Tailor your application materials to specify which fellowship program aligns with your background (e.g., high school Exploring Complex Solutions, graduate student programs, or PhD-focused fellowships), as requirements vary significantly
Highlight any prior engagement with Mercatus scholars' work (e.g., citing papers by Peter Boettke, Virgil Storr, or other center affiliates) to demonstrate familiarity with their intellectual tradition
Include concrete examples of how you've applied economic ideas to policy problems, especially if related to emerging technologies/AI for relevant fellowships
Emphasize your ability to work independently in a remote setting, as the fellowship is remote but requires active participation in Mercatus's academic community
Connect your research interests to Mercatus's core focus areas (political economy, market process economics, public choice) rather than presenting generic economics expertise
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
["Explicitly state which fellowship program you're applying for and how your background matches its specific requirements (e.g., PhD student in economics vs. undergraduate program)", "Demonstrate understanding of Mercatus's intellectual tradition by referencing key scholars or concepts from their work (e.g., spontaneous order, entrepreneurial discovery)", "Describe a specific research idea or policy problem you'd explore during the fellowship, tying it to emerging technologies/AI if applicable", "Explain how your academic interests align with Mercatus's mission of advancing market-based solutions to social and policy challenges"]
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Review recent Mercatus research publications on emerging technologies/AI and political economy to understand their current priorities and methodological approaches
- → Study the backgrounds and work of Mercatus-affiliated scholars (e.g., Peter Boettke, Virgil Storr, Rosolino Candela) to grasp the center's intellectual foundations
- → Explore Mercatus's past fellowship projects or outputs to see how previous fellows have structured their research and engagement
- → Understand the differences between Mercatus's various fellowship programs to ensure you're applying to the most appropriate one for your career stage and interests
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Submitting generic application materials that don't specify which fellowship program you're targeting or how your background matches its requirements
- Failing to demonstrate familiarity with Mercatus's specific intellectual traditions (e.g., confusing their market process focus with mainstream neoclassical economics)
- Overemphasizing technical econometrics without connecting it to the center's emphasis on real-world policy applications and interdisciplinary problem-solving
📅 Application Timeline
This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.
Typical hiring timeline:
Application Review
1-2 weeks
Initial Screening
Phone call or written assessment
Interviews
1-2 rounds, usually virtual
Offer
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Good luck with your application to Mercatus Center at George Mason University!