The Resilient Societies Grant Program 2026, offered by the Mercatus Center, supports short-term research projects that explore how institutions, governments, markets, and societies respond to crisis, disruption, and rapid change. The program is designed to fund independent thinkers and researchers working on governance, institutional performance, and societal adaptation in complex environments.
Overview of the Resilient Societies Grant
This grant focuses on understanding how systems behave under pressure and how they evolve over time. It encourages research that examines why some institutions remain stable during shocks while others fail, and how policy, economic systems, and social coordination can be improved.
Funding Details
Selected applicants will receive funding between $3,000 and $6,000 depending on the scope and quality of the proposed research. The project period runs from summer to fall 2026.
Key Focus Areas
Applicants are encouraged to design research around themes such as:
Institutional resilience and system adaptation
Governance and policy systems under stress
Market processes and economic coordination
Artificial intelligence and governance systems
Civil society, trust, and social coordination
Education systems and knowledge production
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Eligibility Criteria
The program is open to a wide range of applicants, including:
Academics and researchers
Policy analysts and professionals
Legal experts
Journalists
Civil society practitioners
Technology specialists
Independent scholars
Strong applications typically come from early- to mid-career professionals or individuals in transition, with strong analytical and writing skills and the ability to work across disciplines.
Application Process
Applicants are expected to:
Choose a research topic aligned with institutional resilience
Develop a clear and focused research proposal
Explain the relevance and expected contribution of the work
Submit supporting documents such as a CV and writing samples if required
Submit the application before the deadline
If selected, researchers will conduct their project during the summer–fall 2026 period and submit final findings by 31 October 2026.
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Key Dates
Application deadline: 30 April 2026
Final research submission: 31 October 2026
Project period: Summer–Fall 2026
Why This Grant Matters
This program supports research that helps explain how societies and institutions adapt to uncertainty and disruption. It encourages innovative thinking on governance, resilience, and long-term stability, helping to improve how systems respond to future challenges.