The Young Scholar Awards Program seeks to foster high-quality academic research and writing by awarding $5,000 scholarships to up to six undergraduate students each year. Students are awarded scholarships for demonstrating significant promise in their field of research and a commitment to AEI’s mission of defending human dignity, expanding human potential, and building a freer and safer world.
Under the guidance of a faculty advisor at their school, and with the support of AEI scholars and staff, selected students conduct year-long academic research projects on a topic of public policy, economics, law, or political philosophy. Upon submitting their final projects at the end of the academic year, students travel to Washington, DC to present and defend their work before panels of experts. Their final papers are also published on our website and in a hard copy format.
For students who intend to pursue a Ph.D. in the future or who merely enjoy doing high-level academic research, the Young Scholar Awards program provides a unique educational and professional development opportunity. Past students have remarked that their participation in the program has helped set them apart from their peers as they begin their careers or pursue graduate studies.
Six students are currently participating in the program, for the duration of the 2021–2022 academic year. You can find brief descriptions of their projects here.
The 2022-2023 application is now open.
