Deadline: March 15, 2020
Mercatus Center Academic & Student Programs is now accepting applications for the Adam Smith Fellowship 2020 – 2021. Adam Smith Fellowships are awarded to graduate students attending PhD programs at any university and in any discipline, including but not limited to economics, philosophy, political science, and sociology. This is a co-sponsored program of the Mercatus Center and Liberty Fund, Inc.
The aim of these fellowships is to introduce students to and encourage them to critically engage key thinkers in political economy that they might not otherwise encounter during their graduate studies. As such, Adam Smith Fellows spend three weekends during the academic year and one week during the summer participating in workshops and seminars on the Austrian, Virginia, and Bloomington schools of political economy.
Benefits
Apply for an opportunity to enhance your studies and get practical experience applying the economic way of thinking to current academic and policy questions!
- The total award of up to $10,000 includes a stipend and travel and lodging to attend colloquia hosted by the Mercatus Center.
- Adam Smith Fellows are eligible to re-apply each year of their studies, and are also eligible to apply for conference and research support.
Eligibility
- Applicants must be pursuing a graduate degree in the upcoming academic year in order to be eligible for these fellowship program(s).
- If you are currently applying to graduate programs for the upcoming academic year, you may list 2-3 of the universities you are applying to. You will have an opportunity to update them on your plans later in the application process.
Students who meet all of the following 3 criteria are strongly encouraged to apply:
- Students that will be enrolled in an accredited PhD program during the upcoming academic year.
- Students that are able to commit to traveling 3 weekends and 1 week for colloquia during the upcoming academic year.
- Students that have a research or teaching interest that would benefit from a greater understanding of key writings in political economy.
Requirements
Mercatus Center Adam Smith Fellows are required to:
- Remain enrolled as a degree seeking doctoral student throughout their participation in the Adam Smith Fellowship Program
- Attend and actively participate in all aspects of the scheduled program of events (i.e. the three weekend and one weeklong colloquia) including meals and organized social activities
- Arrive on time and prepared for each colloquia session having carefully read the assigned reading in advance
- Complete a short evaluation survey following each colloquium
- Maintain an up to date record with the program of a valid postal address to which packages can be shipped
- Submit an updated curriculum vita on request, quarterly over the course of their participation in the program.
Mercatus Center Adam Smith Fellows are expected to:
- Coordinate their schedules to arrive in the DC metro area before 5pm each Thursday for the weekend colloquia, making arrangements with their home institution to cover any teaching assignments that might present scheduling conflicts with travel
- Coordinate their schedules to arrive in the DC metro area before 5pm on Sunday for the weeklong colloquia, making arrangements with their home institution to cover any teaching assignments that might present scheduling conflicts with travel
- Submit expense reimbursements within 15 days of the adjourning session of each colloquium
Mercatus Center Adam Smith Fellows are encouraged to:
- Build relationships with Mercatus Center faculty
- Build relationships with other program participants
- Become engaged with professional organizations that support the schools of thought covered in the program, as appropriate
Application
In order to apply to the Adam Smith Fellowship, please click the “Apply Now” button and complete the online application. The online application includes:
- A 1-2 page cover letter explaining:
- your graduate school career to date,
- your research and research interests,
- your familiarity with the thinkers associated with the Austrian, Virginia, and Bloomington schools of political economy, and
- what you hope to get out of the program.
- A current resume/CV
- A few short answer questions
For more information, visit Adam Smith Fellowship.
