Student Scholarship Application
The Mises Institute will host a one-day Libertarian Scholars Conference on March 19, 2026 in Auburn, Alabama.
The Libertarian Scholars Conference has a long tradition as the preeminent interdisciplinary meeting of scholars advancing libertarian thought. The first Libertarian Scholars Conferences, organized by the Center for Libertarian studies in New York City in the 1970s, featured papers by prominent libertarian scholars, including Murray Rothbard, Leonard Liggio, Ralph Raico, Leland Yeager, Douglas Rasmussen, and Walter Grinder.
As these meetings branched out to other regions, scholars laid the intellectual groundwork for modern libertarianism. The LSC served as a forum for inter-disciplinary exchange, aimed at developing a unified discipline of liberty. Murray Rothbard envisioned a “discipline of liberty,” much like what was developed in the British classical and French liberal political economy era.
As the libertarian movement grew, so did the need for continued scholarly work. Insights from the social sciences and humanities are crucial to understand the nature and implications of liberty and what it takes for human civilization to flourish.
In response to this enduring need, the Mises Institute, taking up the mantle from the Center for Libertarian Studies, relaunched the LSC. These conferences not only honor the legacy of its founders but also welcome new generations of thinkers and leaders to contribute to libertarian scholarship. Join us in shaping the future of libertarian thought!
Schedule and Fees:
The conference begins on Thursday, March 19, 2026 at the Mises Institute. Details on registration coming soon.
Email Felicia Jones with questions, felicia@mises.org.
Submissions:
Proposals for individual papers, complete paper sessions, and symposia are encouraged. Papers should be well developed, but at a stage where they can still benefit from the group’s discussion. Preference will be given to recent research papers that are intended for submission to scholarly journals and have not been given at major conferences. All topics related to libertarian themes in the social sciences and humanities are welcome. Abstracts should be limited to 250 words. All proposals are peer reviewed by the Libertarian Scholars Conference Program Committee. Please submit proposals here by January 23, 2026. The notification deadline for accepted proposals is February 6, 2026.
Contests:
- Undergraduate Student Essay Contest: In celebration of Murray Rothbard’s 100th birthday, the Mises Institute is holding an essay contest for undergraduates on his iconic Austrolibertarian text For a New Liberty: A Libertarian Manifesto. Entrants are encouraged to explore how this text applies to current issues and economic discourse. Essays should be no more than 5,000 words in length and double-spaced. Prizes of $1,500, $1,000, and $750 will be awarded to the top three essays. Prize winners will be invited to present their papers at AERC 2025, with conference registration fees waived and accommodations paid for (travel not included). Please submit your essay here by January 23, 2026. Students must also submit a student scholarship application here.
- Graduate Student Essay Contest: This essay competition is an opportunity for students already submitting their papers to the AERC and LSC conferences to win money! Essays should not be more than 10,000 words, exclusive of references; include an abstract of no more than 250 words; double-spaced; The Chicago Manual of Style, 17th ed. encouraged. Prizes of $1,500, $1,000, and $750 will be awarded to the top three essays. Prize winners will be invited to present their papers at AERC 2026, with conference registration fees waived and accommodations paid for (travel not included). Please submit your essay here by January 23, 2026. Students must also submit a student scholarship application here.
Transportation:
Most attendees fly into the Atlanta airport, which is an hour and 45 minutes north of Auburn. Atlanta is in the eastern time zone and Auburn is an hour behind in the central time zone.
Shuttle between Atlanta airport and Auburn
Shuttle between Atlanta, Birmingham, Montgomery, or Columbus, GA airports and Auburn
Publicity Waiver: Registering for this event gives the Mises Institute permission to take photos, record videos, and receive statements of and from attendees for promotional purposes. By this authorization, attendees understand and agree that no participant shall receive remuneration and that all rights, title and interest to the photos, videos, and statements and use thereof belong to the Mises Institute.
