Mercatus Center
The Mercatus Center at George Mason University is a premier research institution dedicated to bridging the gap between academic theory and real-world policy. For more than 40 years, Mercatus has advanced the mainline economics tradition, which emphasizes the power of markets and decentralized knowledge to improve human well-being. By applying rigorous, evidence-driven research to contemporary challenges, the Center has established itself as a prominent force in shaping free-market solutions and training the next generation of global leaders. The Center’s impact is driven by a unique model that combines graduate-level training with targeted policy analysis. Through its robust fellowships and scholar programs, Mercatus supports leading talent in exploring how institutional rules affect economic growth and social cooperation. Its hallmark includes a commitment to thought leadership across urgent policy areas, offering practical solutions to society’s most pressing problems. By connecting scholars with policymakers and the public, the Mercatus Center ensures that economic insights are translated into effective, real-world applications that foster a more prosperous and open society.
ABOUT THE MERCATUS CENTER
The Mercatus Center is a premier university based research institution dedicated to bridging the gap between academic economic ideas and real world policy solutions.
Originally founded at Rutgers University by Richard Fink in the late 1970s under the name the Center for Market Processes, the organization has since evolved into a prominent force at George Mason University.
The Center works closely with policy experts and government officials to connect academic scholarship with practical governance, consistently embracing classical liberal principles and market oriented thinking.
Today, the Mercatus Center is widely recognized for its structured fellowship programs, which provide critical financial support and rigorous academic mentorship to students at George Mason University and beyond.
THE MERCATUS CENTER CORE PILLARS
Academic Training: Providing competitive fellowships and specialized curricula for graduate students in economics and public policy to cultivate the next generation of thinkers.
Rigorous Research: Producing high quality, peer reviewed scholarship and working papers on essential topics such as regulation, technology, and monetary policy.
Policy Application: Translating complex data into actionable insights for legislators through initiatives like the State and Local Policy Project.
Mainline Tradition: Advancing the study of the "science of liberty" based on the intellectual works of Adam Smith, F.A. Hayek, and James Buchanan.
NOTABLE FELLOWSHIPS & ACADEMIC PROGRAMS
Mercatus PhD Fellowship: A full-time program for George Mason University doctoral students, offering tuition support and stipends for those researching the foundations of a free society.
MA Fellowship: A two-year program for Master’s students at GMU that emphasizes the practical implementation of policy and prepares graduates for careers in research or government.
Adam Smith Fellowship: A co-sponsored program with Liberty Fund open to PhD students from any university, focusing on the relationship between individual liberty and institutional frameworks.
Frédéric Bastiat Fellowship: A one-year program for graduate students interested in the intersection of public policy and the academic study of political economy.