James Buchanan Fellowship 2026/27 in USA (Fully Funded)
The United States remains the global epicenter for research in political economy, public choice theory, and institutional analysis. The James Buchanan Fellowship, hosted by the Mercatus Center at George Mason University (Virginia), is one of the most respected and fully funded early-career fellowships available to scholars interested in the Austrian, Virginia, and Bloomington schools of political economy.
This one-year, non-residential fellowship provides up to $8,000 in total support, including a stipend, travel reimbursement, accommodation assistance during in-person events, and all required reading materials. It is designed specifically for scholars who have recently completed their PhD (within the last 6 years) and who wish to deepen their engagement with classical liberal and constitutional political economy traditions. You should also check Meta PhD Fellowship 2026
The program is open to applicants from any academic discipline and any country worldwide. Successful fellows join a growing network of scholars committed to rigorous, principled inquiry into markets, governance, institutions, and human flourishing.
This guide reflects the most recent publicly available information as of January 2026. The official call for the 2026–27 cohort is expected to open in early 2026, with the main deadline typically around April 15, 2026 (results announced 10–12 weeks later).
Fellowship at a Glance
- Duration: 12 months (non-residential)
- Stipend & total award: Up to $8,000 (disbursed in installments)
- Location: Primarily remote + required in-person events at George Mason University (Fairfax, Virginia)
- Start date: Usually September 2026
- Language: English
- Disciplines: Any field (economics, political science, philosophy, law, history, public policy, etc.)
- No citizenship restriction – fully open to international scholars
Also apply for Helen Hay Whitney Fellowships for Postdoctoral Research
Fellowship Benefits – Fully Funded Package
The award covers:
- Cash stipend (up to $8,000 total, disbursed in installments)
- Full coverage of all required reading materials and books
- Travel reimbursement for required in-person events and seminars
- Accommodation/meals during on-site programming in Virginia
- Access to Mercatus Center research resources, seminars, and mentoring
- Invitation to the annual James Buchanan Fellowship research colloquium and networking events
- Lifetime affiliation with the Mercatus Center alumni network
The fellowship does not require relocation to the US most work is remote, with only a few short in-person visits.
Also apply for:
Eligibility Criteria
You qualify if you meet all of these:
- Hold a PhD (or equivalent doctoral degree) awarded no earlier than 2020 (within last 6 years as of 2026)
- Currently hold an academic position (tenure-track, postdoc, lecturer, etc.) at an accredited university OR a research position at a reputable research institution
- Your research or teaching interests align meaningfully with political economy (Austrian, Virginia, Bloomington, or related classical liberal traditions)
- Demonstrated commitment to rigorous, principled scholarship
- Strong command of written and spoken English
No minimum publication record is required, but a promising research agenda and clear intellectual fit are essential.
Strong opinion: The “recent PhD” rule (last 6 years) is strictly enforced. The most successful applications show genuine interest in public choice, constitutional political economy, institutional analysis, or spontaneous order and not just generic economics or political science.
Research & Intellectual Focus
The fellowship introduces (or deepens) fellows’ engagement with:
- Adam Smith’s political economy
- Austrian school (Mises, Hayek, Kirzner, etc.)
- Virginia school / public choice (Buchanan, Tullock, etc.)
- Bloomington school / polycentric governance (Elinor & Vincent Ostrom)
- Modern extensions (constitutional economics, institutional entrepreneurship, etc.)
Fellows are not required to change their research focus and the program enriches existing work through new lenses and conversations.
Required Documents
- Cover letter (explaining fit with the program and career goals)
- Current CV / academic resume (include publications, teaching, research experience)
- List of recent academic publications (if any)
- Answers to short-answer questions (provided in the application portal)
- Two or three academic references (usually submitted directly by referees)
All materials submitted online via the Mercatus Center application portal.
Why Apply for the James Buchanan Fellowship?
- Direct engagement with the living tradition of constitutional political economy
- Generous stipend + full event coverage
- Non-residential compatible with current academic positions
- Access to Mercatus Center seminars, workshops, and senior scholars
- Strong alumni network in academia, think tanks, policy, and law
- No requirement to change your research direction only to enrich it
Fairfax/George Mason is a hub for public choice and Austrian economics research.
Contrarian view: The program has a clear classical liberal orientation. But intellectual openness is genuine fellows from many ideological starting points have thrived.
Living & Travel Costs (Covered by Fellowship)
- Travel to required events: fully reimbursed
- Accommodation & meals during on-site programming: provided
- No relocation required (non-residential)
- Stipend $8,000 → flexible support for books, software, conferences
Application Checklist
- Confirm PhD awarded 2020 or later
- Prepare cover letter showing intellectual fit
- Update CV (highlight research, teaching, publications)
- Secure 2–3 strong recommendation letters
- Answer short questions thoughtfully
- Submit by April 15, 2026 (anticipated)
- Track email for confirmation
How to Apply for James Buchanan Fellowship?
- Wait for the official call (usually opens January–February 2026)
- Visit mercatus.org/james-buchanan-fellowship (page updated annually)
- Read eligibility, FAQs, and evaluation criteria carefully
- Create an account in the Mercatus application portal
- Complete all sections (cover letter, CV, short answers)
- Provide referee contact details (they submit letters directly)
- Upload any additional supporting materials
- Submit before the deadline (April 15, 2026 – anticipated; confirm when open)
- Results announced approximately 10–12 weeks later (June–July 2026)
APPLY FOR THE JAMES BUCHANAN USA FELLOWSHIP
Tip: The cover letter and short answers are the most important parts after your CV. Show genuine intellectual curiosity about the Virginia/Bloomington/Austrian traditions avoid generic statements.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Applying too late (portal often closes exactly on deadline)
- Generic cover letter (no engagement with Buchanan, Ostrom, Hayek, etc.)
- Weak or late recommendation letters
- Not demonstrating political economy interest
- Applying without recent PhD (strict 6-year rule)
