Deadline: 30-Sep-2025
The Exploring Complex Solutions for a Complex World Fellowship is a competitive, renewable, and fully online program designed for high school students. It offers an engaging space for students to explore the intricacies of political, economic, and social systems through guided activities and discussions.
Fellows participate in a series of online events, including a discussion portal and live reading sessions led by scholars from the Hayek Program. These sessions focus on the complexities of the world, the limitations of central planning, and the necessity of making trade-offs in decision-making.
Participants gain critical thinking skills and experience engaging in thoughtful conversations with peers from diverse backgrounds. They become part of a broader network of Mercatus students, alumni, faculty, and researchers focused on contemporary political economy.
The fellowship provides up to $750 in total value, which includes a stipend, all required reading materials, and personalized advice on research, college admissions, and career paths.
Eligible applicants must be at least 16 years old at the start of the fellowship and enrolled in high school—either public, private, or homeschool. The program is ideal for students who are curious about how society functions and are eager to learn more about complex systems.
Selected fellows will interact directly with Mercatus Center scholars holding PhDs in economics, political science, or sociology. They will read around 100 pages from each of four assigned books and participate in weekly online discussions, dedicating approximately two hours per week to engage with the content and the broader learning community.
For more information, visit Mercatus Center.