The Mercatus Center at George Mason University is the premier research center advancing classical liberal ideas and cultivating the talent to apply them. We support entrepreneurial scholars and practitioners who turn market-oriented thinking into practical solutions that shape institutions and improve lives.
As a university-based research center, the Mercatus Center advances knowledge about how markets work to improve people’s lives.
Our mission is to bridge the gap between academic research and public policy problems by advancing an understanding of the economics of public policy. We do this through education and talent development, research, and outreach initiatives.
We bridge the gap between theory and practice through research of consequence and talent cultivation. We stand at the forefront of shaping future leaders who not only imagine a freer, more prosperous world but have the skills, platforms, and partnerships to make it real.
The Mercatus Center at George Mason University is committed to high standards of quality and credibility for its research products. We uphold these standards through internal review, rigorous editing, and a transparent process for selecting and producing research products.
Discover your career at Mercatus. Join a mission-driven, collaborative team working to advance a freer and more prosperous society through research and talent development.
Founded in 1980, the Mercatus Center is located on George Mason University’s Arlington and Fairfax campuses. As part of Virginia’s largest public research university, we support students in George Mason University’s world-renowned department of economics. Former Mercatus-supported students are among the most innovative scholars working in the social sciences today.
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The Mercatus Center is a research center affiliated with George Mason University, dedicated to bridging the gap between theory and practice.
No. Mercatus scholars independently pursue research agendas aligned with our mission. We do not conduct research for hire or accept financial support conditioned on specific research outcomes.
Financial supporters have no influence over research design, methodology, findings, or conclusions. We maintain the highest standards of academic quality through internal review, editorial oversight, and transparent research selection.
We also have a formal policy to avoid conflicts of interest and to preserve the academic integrity and credibility of our work.
