Programs
Discover our programs for educating people on the value of personal freedom, free enterprise, property rights, limited government, and sound money.
Featured Program
Seminar Series in Classical Liberalism
The Seminar Series in Classical Liberalism brings together undergraduate and early-stage graduate students for immersive, discussion-driven programs on the ideas that shape free and prosperous societies. During the weeklong seminars hosted at partner campuses, participants engage with leading scholars to explore the classical liberal tradition through major thinkers such as John Locke, Adam Smith, F.A. Hayek, Milton Friedman, James Buchanan, and Elinor Ostrom, connecting foundational theory to real-world questions in public policy, markets, and business.
A $500 travel stipend is provided at the conclusion of each seminar. Meals and accommodations are included for the duration of the program.
Upcoming Dates
Classical Liberalism: The American Founding and Adam Smith at 250
College of Charleston, Charleston, South Carolina, May 26 – 31, 2026
Application Deadline: March 23, 2026
Classical Liberalism and Public Policy Seminar
West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia, June 7 – 13, 2026
Application Deadline: April 5, 2026
Seminars
AIER seminars convene undergraduate and early graduate students to examine the intersection of classical liberal theory and its practical applications across business, markets, governance, and beyond. Over the course of 3-6 days, participants will explore how classical liberal principles shape individual freedoms and the broader structure of society. Apply for one of our upcoming seminars today.
“Amidst the hilly, bucolic Berkshires lies a hub of intellectual activity, an institute dedicated to studying free economic and political orders. In my time at AIER, intelligent colleagues, a beautiful setting, and limited distractions allowed me to bring my work on decentralized governance to the next level.”
Alex Schaefer, Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Graduate Fellowships
AIER’s Graduate Fellowships are transformative, semester-long programs for graduate students who are working in areas that advance AIER’s mission. Successful projects have included; classical liberalism, free market economics, economic liberty, property rights, sound money, and legal institutions that shore up the rights of individuals to be free to the extent that their actions do not impinge on the rights of others.
Each Graduate Fellow is expected to make substantive headway on a project like a dissertation, thesis, or other project that will directly advance their academic studies. Through their fellowship, each Fellow will develop a customized project plan, present their research to AIER staff and visitors, and share their work with the general public through written pieces for AIER’s website.
Each fellow should expect to work closely with AIER’s scholars to build skills, work through research issues, and cultivate professional networks. Fellows will leave AIER having made substantive progress on their project as well as having developed intellectually and professionally.
Graduate Fellowships are awarded through a competitive application process for Fall, Spring, and Summer Semesters. Fellows are expected to arrive on campus for orientation by the start date.
Student Internships
AIER’s Internships are unparalleled professional opportunities for students considering careers in economic research, academia, or the private sector. They provide college students and recent graduates the opportunity to work closely with staff on projects that align with both their interests and AIER’s mission. Whether it’s contributing to scholarly research, policy analysis, or editorial writing, our interns gain invaluable exposure.
Our interns have leveraged their experiences to launch careers at organizations like The World Bank, The Institute for Justice, Deloitte, Morgan Stanley, IBM, and many other research institutes and companies across the world. A significant number of our former interns now teach and research at well-respected universities across the country.
Through a series of workshops, interns learn and practice the essentials of academic and popular writing, various research methods, fundamental and advanced techniques in econometrics, economic analysis through AIER economic indicators and Bloomberg terminal data, blockchain technology and cryptocurrency trading, and more.
Harwood Graduate Colloquia
Harwood Graduate Colloquia are multi-day events intended for graduate students that consist of a combination of interactive discussions and provocative lectures based on pre-assigned readings. Participants are given ample time to interact with each other and prominent scholars.
Our goal is to encourage the next generation of scholars to push the frontiers in their understanding of free markets and classical liberalism, forge new research collaborations, and network with their peers and established scholars from this field.
Douglas B. Rogers Essay Competition
The Douglas B. Rogers Essay Competition honors the memory of Douglas B. Rogers, PhD and serves as a means of continuing his legacy of inspiring young minds to seek knowledge through truth. The great works and stream of ideas that formed the underpinnings of our Western Civilization were of great importance to Doug. This competition is designed to invite students to thoughtfully research and opine matters of critical relevance to our society and future governance.
AIER’s Harwood Salons bring together leaders, thinkers, and local community members for engaging discussions on freedom, free markets, and sound money. These gatherings, held in cities nationwide, foster conversations that matter. Whether an intimate roundtable or a larger event with world-renowned speakers, each Salon offers a unique space to connect, explore ideas, and advance economic and personal freedom.
Visiting Fellowships
Visiting research fellowships provide researchers with an opportunity to work on their projects in a productive environment, to present their work and receive feedback, and to expand their intellectual network.
These fellowships are intended for full-time professional researchers at all stages of their career. Academics, journalists, and think-tank researchers are all welcome to apply. Advanced doctoral students are considered on a case-by-case basis.