Mercatus Center PhD Fellowship
Scholarship Sponsored by Mercatus Center at George Mason University
Introduction
This fellowship supports doctoral students in economics at George Mason University who aim to pursue academic careers. Applications for the 2026–2027 academic year must be submitted by February 1, 2026.
Eligibility
To be considered for the PhD Fellowship you must either:
- Be currently enrolled in George Mason’s PhD program in Economics, or
- Be applying for admission to Mason’s PhD program in Economics.
If you are not yet enrolled, submit the M standard application for fall admission and indicate on that application that you wish to be considered for funding.
Award components
The fellowship provides up to $160,000 total across a period of up to four years and includes:
- A monthly stipend
- Full tuition coverage (nine credits per semester)
- Opportunities to serve as a research assistant alongside Mason faculty
Program overview
This is a competitive, full-time fellowship designed for doctoral candidates in economics. Fellows follow coursework emphasizing market process economics, public choice, and institutional analysis, and undertake research projects that apply these perspectives to questions of global prosperity and social change. Graduates of the program have gone on to tenure-track positions at colleges and universities in the United States and Europe.
Community and network
Fellows become part of a broader Mercatus network of students, alumni, and scholars engaged in contemporary political economy research and dialogue.