Sharpen your work at the world’s premier classical liberal residential research center.
Every year since 1933, AIER has offered an exceptional program of fellowships in the social sciences, humanities, and journalism to research scholars and writers who share AIER’s commitment to the serious study of liberty. In addition to enjoying accommodation at no cost, researchers at all stages of their career benefit from AIER’s research library, the peaceful charm of the Berkshires, and the lively intellectual life of our Great Barrington campus.
Short-term Fellowships
- 1-6 week term fellowships; variable dates
- Accommodation & some meals provided
- Rolling applications (min. 6 weeks prior to start date)
Harwood Fellowships
- 10-12 week term fellowships; variable dates
- Accommodation & some meals included
- $350 per week stipend & generous travel assistance
AIER’s 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.
Undergraduate and early-stage MA students should apply to our internship program. Early-stage doctoral and advanced MA students should apply to our Graduate Fellowship program.
Our unique campus in the Berkshires affords both a peaceful environment to work in and opportunities for relaxation. You will stay in our world-class accommodations, while AIER takes care of airport and rail transfers and weekday lunches.
Applications
The application process typically consists of a formal written application with a research proposal through AIER’s application portal and a single interview with the Fellowship Director.
How do I apply for a Harwood fellowship?
Harwood fellowship applications are reviewed quarterly. The deadline for fall fellowships is April 1, for winter fellowships July 1, for spring fellowships September 1, and for summer fellowships January 15.
How do I apply for a short-term fellowship?
AIER reviews short-term research fellowships on a rolling basis with a minimum of six (6) weeks of advance notice before the proposed fellowship start date. We strive to provide application feedback within three (3) weeks of an application.
Fall Fellowships
April 1st, 2025
Winter Fellowships
July 1st, 2025
Spring Fellowships
September 1st, 2025
Summer Fellowships
January 15th, 2026
“The physical and intellectual environment at AIER is a scholar’s dream. The ability to associate freely with some of the most creative minds in economics, history, and other social sciences in an atmosphere that encourages peaceful reflection allowed me to go from having one research project to having a burgeoning research agenda.”
Dr. ANTHONY GILL
Professor of Political Science
University of Washington
The AIER Experience
Discussions and Feedback
One of the most enriching aspects of your time at the Institute will be the opportunity to share your work with a community of dedicated scholars. Throughout your fellowship, you’ll engage in meaningful dialogue with AIER’s research faculty as well as with fellow participants from a variety of academic backgrounds. By participating fully in the intellectual life of the Institute, you’ll become part of a vibrant scholarly network committed to rigorous inquiry, open debate, and the pursuit of ideas that shape society.
Resources for Research
Fellows enjoy full access to AIER’s 15,000-volume library and to the on-site collections of the Museum of American Finance and the Liberty Fund. The library maintains comprehensive subscriptions to major scholarly journals and offers interlibrary loan privileges through partner institutions. During their residency, fellows receive dedicated IT support and may optionally collaborate with AIER’s research interns. Interns accept research tasks on a voluntary basis.
Publication Opportunities
AIER Fellowships create opportunities to meaningfully extend fellows’ scholarship and professional reach. In addition to providing dedicated time and support for serious scientific research, the Institute maintains a robust publication platform—including its own outlets, such as Fusion Magazine—as well as strong ties to major academic journals and journalistic publications.
The Daily Economy
Fellows have contributed hundreds of articles to the Daily Economy, the institute’s internal publication devoted to economic monitoring.
Fusion Magazine
Fusion publishes fresh, informed writing about politics, society, and culture, ranging from short- to medium-form essays. It is particularly interested in submissions that demonstrate serious (which need not mean uncritical) engagement with classical liberal, conservative, and libertarian ideas.
AIER Press
Fellows have published book manuscripts with AIER on a wide variety of topics in the social sciences and humanities.
Research conferences
Fellows have often been invited to participate in AIER’s research conferences, many leading to special issue or edited volume publication.
Speaking engagements
Fellows have also been invited to speak at AIER Harwood Salons, our Harwood Graduate Colloquia, the Seminar in Classical Liberalism, and other AIER Events.
Testimonials
AIER’s reputation for rigorous scholarship and principled inquiry has earned the respect of scholars at some of the world’s most distinguished institutions. These testimonials reflect the high regard in which the Institute is held by academics who value intellectual integrity, depth of analysis, and a commitment to the enduring principles of a free society.
Dr. Michael Ryall
Professor of Management, Florida Atlantic University
“My AIER Visiting Fellowship was a scholarly experience of rare perfection. On the one hand, the level of intellectual intensity generated by the campus community was incredibly high — from the wonderful staff, to the terrific group of visiting students, to the daily workshops, to the many informal research discussions with amazing scholars throughout the day. On the other hand, the campus setting was so utterly serene. That combination proved optimal for my own research productivity. I managed to generate a new paper that I am quite excited about and that I am sure would not exist had it not been for this unique AIER experience.”
Dr. Anthony Gill
Professor of Economics, University of Washington
“The physical and intellectual environment at AIER is a scholar’s dream. The ability to associate freely with some of the most creative minds in economics, history, and other social sciences in an atmosphere that encourages peaceful reflection allowed me to go from having one research project to having a burgeoning research agenda.”
Dr. Caroline Breashears
Professor of English, St. Lawrence University
“I have been a Visiting Research Fellow at AIER over the recent summers, and I have greatly enjoyed the stimulating AIER discussions, interactions, and hospitality. In addition, the Berkshires and AIER setting are beautiful places to spend part of the summer. I highly recommend the AIER Visiting Research Fellow experience!”
Jay Liebowitz, D.Sc.
Professor of Business Innovation & Director, AI-EDGE Center, Rollins College
“My short visiting fellowship at AIER was the opportunity I didn’t know I needed to disconnect from day-to-day distractions and demands and finally get going on a long-term research project. The unique location and chance to get to know other smart people from around the world were icing on the cake.”
Stephanie Slade
Senior Editor, Reason Magazine
“AIER’s research fellowship offered the ideal circumstances in which to write my book. Lunchtime lectures, stimulating conversations over dinner, generous feedback from the fellows: these are only a few of the reasons my visit was as enjoyable as it was productive.”
Dr. Mark Crain
William E. Simon Professor of Political Economy, Lafayette College
“My time at AIER was invigorating and deeply productive. I made significant strides on my book manuscript, thanks to a setting thoughtfully designed for focused reading and writing. The environment—enriched by exchanges with resident faculty, visiting scholars, and students—fostered open, creative, and stimulating conversations that greatly enhanced my work.”
Distinguished Emeritus Fellows
Deirdre McCloskey
Cato Institute, Fall ’18
Vernon Smith
Chapman University, Fall ’22, Summer ’25
Douglass North
Washington University in St. Louis, Summer ’03
Judge Richard Posner
University of Chicago, Summer ’03
Anna Schwartz
National Bureau of Economic Research, ’01, ’02 ’03, ’03, ’05
George Gilder
Discovery Institute & Gilder Publishing, Summer ’82, Summer ’25
The Fellowships Director
Jason Sorens (PhD. Yale 2003) is Senior Research Fellow and director of the Visiting Research Fellows program at AIER. A political economist by training, his research has ranged from movements for regional autonomy and independence around the world to U.S. state and local policy, especially land-use regulation and housing markets. Email: [email protected]