Academic center · Policy · Washington Blvd., Arlington · Est. 1977
Mercatus Center is a university-based, market-oriented research and education center at George Mason University. It positions its work as bridging academic economic ideas and real-world policy problems, with research spanning law, regulation, and economics, and with an emphasis on how markets and institutions can improve social outcomes.
A distinctive current emphasis is artificial intelligence (AI) policy and governance. Mercatus publishes AI-specific policy resources (such as its AI Policy Guide) and uses program and research infrastructure to engage policymakers and scholars on AI’s likely economic effects and on the design of governance regimes. Institutionally, Mercatus operates as a nonprofit organization with a board of directors and leadership that includes an Executive Director, while also maintaining long-running scholarly and student-fellowship programs. For example, it announced a new Executive Director effective June 1, 2024, and it continues to expand fellowships and initiatives that combine scholarship, convening, and training for future leaders and researchers.
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Mercatus announced a cohort of Resilient Societies grant recipients following a March call for proposals; it selected 16 projects receiving grants of up to $6,000 each.
Mercatus Center Mourns the Passing of Colleen MorrettaMercatus published a statement mourning Colleen Morretta’s passing, describing her decades-long contributions and noting roles including board secretary and administrative assistant prior to retirement.
Introducing the Inaugural 1991 Fellowship CohortMercatus announced the inaugural 1991 Fellowship cohort, describing it as spanning 10 Indian states initially and expanding to 12 fellows after demand for the program exceeded initial expectations.
Announcing a Call for Proposals - Resilient SocietiesMercatus described Resilient Societies as focusing on governance resilience under stress, including how AI is challenging existing governance frameworks, and stated that selected applicants would receive $3,000–$6,000 grants to develop projects over summer and fall 2026.
Mercatus Center Recognizes the Long-Time Leadership of Edwin Meese III and Vernon SmithMercatus recognized Edwin Meese III and Vernon Smith as Board Member Emeritus, describing Meese’s board service since 2005 and Smith’s service since 2001.
Mercatus Center Strengthens AI Focus with Addition of Brendan McCord to BoardMercatus announced Brendan McCord’s addition to its board of directors effective February 2025, describing the move as reinforcing Mercatus’s commitment to understanding AI’s intersection with markets, prosperity, and AI governance/safety approaches.