Deadline: 30-Sep-2026
The Mercatus Center High School Fellowship is a semester-long virtual program that helps high school students explore political, economic, and social ideas through structured readings and guided discussions. It focuses on understanding decision-making complexity, trade-offs in policy, and institutional analysis through interactive online learning.
Selected participants engage in four virtual reading group sessions and an online discussion platform featuring curated academic content. The fellowship provides up to $750 in stipend and support, and is open to high school students aged 16 and above, including international applicants.
What Is the Mercatus Center High School Fellowship?
The Mercatus Center High School Fellowship is an educational enrichment program designed for high school students to explore foundational ideas in political economy, governance, and social systems.
It is structured as a semester-long virtual fellowship that encourages critical thinking through guided discussions, readings, and digital learning resources.
The program is associated with scholars from the Mercatus Center and its Hayek Program, focusing on analytical approaches to understanding society and institutions.
Programme Objectives
The fellowship aims to develop students’ understanding of complex social systems and decision-making.
Key objectives include:
- Exploring political, economic, and social systems through structured learning
- Understanding trade-offs in public policy and governance
- Studying the complexity of decision-making in society
- Encouraging analytical and critical thinking skills
- Introducing foundational ideas in institutional economics
- Supporting academic and intellectual development for high school students
- Providing early exposure to research and policy discussions
Core Learning Themes
Complexity in Decision-Making
Students learn how:
- Societies manage complex systems
- Decisions involve competing priorities and constraints
- Policy outcomes are often uncertain and multi-dimensional
Trade-offs in Policy and Governance
The fellowship explores:
- Costs and benefits of policy decisions
- Resource allocation challenges
- Competing societal interests
- Limits of centralized planning
Institutional and Social Analysis
Participants study:
- Role of institutions in shaping outcomes
- Economic coordination mechanisms
- Social and political structures
- Interactions between governance and markets
Programme Structure
The fellowship is delivered through a combination of virtual sessions and online learning tools.
Virtual Reading Groups
Participants engage in:
- Four structured reading group sessions per semester
- Guided discussions with facilitators
- Analysis of assigned texts and materials
- Peer-to-peer intellectual engagement
Online Learning Portal
The program includes access to a digital platform featuring:
- Academic readings
- Educational videos
- Podcasts and lectures
- Structured discussion prompts
- Interactive learning activities
Advisory and Support Components
Participants may receive guidance related to:
- College pathway planning
- Research skill development
- Career exploration in economics and policy
Programme Features
The fellowship offers a structured intellectual development experience for high school students.
Key features include:
- Semester-long academic engagement
- Fully virtual participation model
- Structured reading-based discussions
- Exposure to scholarly economic and political ideas
- Interaction with academic contributors and facilitators
- Self-paced and guided learning integration
Funding and Benefits
The programme provides financial and academic support to participants.
Financial Support
- Up to $750 total award
- Includes stipend support
- Covers access to required academic materials
Academic and Professional Support
Participants gain:
- Access to curated intellectual content
- Exposure to policy and economic theory discussions
- Guidance for academic and career development
- Skills in analytical reasoning and structured debate
Eligibility Criteria
The fellowship is open to a broad international student base.
Required Eligibility
Applicants must:
- Be currently enrolled in high school (public, private, or homeschool)
- Be at least 16 years old at program start
- Have reliable internet access for online participation
International Participation
- Open to students of any nationality
- Global applicants are encouraged to apply
Programme Delivery Format
The fellowship is fully virtual and structured for accessibility.
Key Components
- Online reading and discussion sessions
- Virtual group meetings
- Digital learning platform engagement
- Independent reading assignments
- Structured discussion participation
Why This Fellowship Matters
The program is designed to strengthen early intellectual engagement in economics and social science.
It helps students:
- Develop critical thinking skills
- Understand real-world policy challenges
- Learn how institutions shape outcomes
- Build academic confidence in social sciences
- Gain early exposure to college-level ideas
- Improve analytical reasoning abilities
Tips for a Strong Application
Applicants can improve their chances by:
- Demonstrating interest in political or economic ideas
- Showing curiosity about societal systems
- Highlighting reading and discussion experience
- Providing thoughtful written responses
- Showing willingness to engage in online discussions
- Expressing interest in academic development
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Avoid:
- Generic or vague interest statements
- Lack of engagement with economics or social issues
- Weak explanation of intellectual curiosity
- Failure to show commitment to reading-based learning
- Incomplete eligibility details
- Overemphasis on extracurriculars unrelated to fellowship themes
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the Mercatus Center High School Fellowship?
It is a semester-long virtual program where high school students study political, economic, and social ideas through readings and discussions.
Who can apply?
High school students aged 16 or older, including international applicants.
How is the program delivered?
It is fully online with reading groups, discussion sessions, and a digital learning platform.
How many sessions are included?
Participants attend four virtual reading group sessions per semester.
Is there financial support?
Yes. Participants may receive up to $750 including a stipend and learning materials support.
What topics are covered?
Political economy, institutional analysis, decision-making complexity, and policy trade-offs.
Do I need prior experience?
No prior experience is required, but interest in social science and reading-based learning is helpful.
Conclusion
The Mercatus Center High School Fellowship is a structured academic enrichment program designed to introduce high school students to foundational ideas in political economy and social systems. Through guided readings, discussions, and online engagement, it helps students develop analytical thinking skills and a deeper understanding of how societies make decisions.
The program provides both intellectual development and early exposure to policy and economic reasoning, making it a valuable opportunity for students interested in social sciences and academic exploration.
For more information, visit Mercatus Center.