Resilient Societies Grant Application

Before You Begin

This grant supports focused analytical projects on how societies and institutions adapt under conditions of disruption across governance, markets, and civil society. Selected participants will receive $3,000–$6,000 to support a tightly scoped written project.

Applications are due April 30, 2026. Work will take place over the summer and fall, and final written submissions will be due October 31, 2026.

This form should take about 45–60 minutes to complete. We are interested in how you think, not in how polished your proposal is.

Basic Information

Name

First Name

Middle Name

(optional)

Last Name

Primary Email Address

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Current Affiliation or Independent

Which best describes your current affiliation?

Academic DisciplineProfessional Area

What is your academic discipline?

What is your professional area?

Project Proposal

Proposed Inquiry

Describe the institutional question you want to explore. A sharp question is stronger than a broad theme. (800 words max)

Tell us the following:

1- What is your question, and why does it matter under conditions of stress?

2- What mechanism, tradeoff, or puzzle is at the center of your inquiry?

3- How would you approach it? Be specific enough for a reviewer to assess feasibility.

Expected Output

Describe the form the final written work will take and its intended audience. Include an estimated word count. Most projects will fall in the 2,000–5,000-word range, but if a different length best serves your work, explain why. (150 words max)

Prior Work

You may include links to or attach up to two pieces of work that show how you think (e.g., a paper, essay, policy brief, or similar). Upload as PDF (max 10MB per file) or provide a publicly accessible link. Please do not send a CV.

Upload Work Samples (PDF)

Attach Another File

Upload Work Samples (PDF)

Work Sample Links (Optional).

Grant Amount

Requested amount ($3,000–$6,000) and a brief note on how the funding would support your project. Funding may support research time, travel, data access, or other project-related costs.

Requested Amount (USD)

Funding Use Description (150 words max)

How Did You Hear About Us

How did you hear about this grant?

If applicable, please list the specific person, website, or organization.

Legal Notices

Please note that we have the right to destroy your materials and also to send them to outside referees, as well as to discuss them internally.

Mercatus does not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender expression, age, national origin, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations. These activities include, but are not limited to grant-making, fellowship selection, hiring and firing of staff, selection of volunteers and vendors, and provision of services. We are committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of our staff, clients, volunteers, subcontractors, vendors and clients.

Consent

Any funds awarded shall be expended exclusively for charitable, scientific, educational purposes and no part will be used for a lobbying purpose or to engage in any political activity.

Yes, I consent

By submitting this application I grant consent to the Mercatus Center at George Mason University to process and retain any personal information provided in this application for the purpose of evaluating application materials and communicating with applicants regarding their open or past applications as well as any applicable future programming opportunities.

Yes, I consent

By submitting this application, you confirm that all information provided is accurate and that the work submitted is your own.

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