Student Scholarship Application
The Austrian Economics Research Conference is the international, interdisciplinary meeting of the Austrian School, bringing together leading scholars doing research in this vibrant and influential intellectual tradition. The conference is hosted by the Mises Institute at its campus in Auburn, Alabama, and is directed by Joseph Salerno, academic vice president of the Mises Institute and professor emeritus of economics at Pace University.
The conference begins on Thursday, March 19, at the Auburn University Hotel with an informal welcome session from 6:00–8:00 p.m. central time. This welcome session is limited to paid event attendees and presenters. Only registered attendees are permitted at the conference. No children under 16 years old are allowed. Registration takes place throughout the day on Friday, March 20, at the Mises Institute, 518 W Magnolia Avenue. Sessions begin Friday morning at the Mises Institute and continue throughout the day Friday and Saturday.
Named Lectures:
Notable past lecturers include, among others, Murray Rothbard, Dominick Armentano, Caroline Baum, Brendan Brown, William Butos, Patrick Byrne, Gene Epstein, Nicolai Foss, Jim Grant, Ronald Hamowy, Steve Hanke, Robert Higgs, Hans-Hermann Hoppe, Hunter Lewis, Alex Pollock, George Reisman, Paul Ruben, Peter Schiff, Jeremy Shearmur, Sudha Shenoy, Gerald Steele, David Stockman, John Tamny, Tom Woods, Bruce Yandle, and Leland Yeager.
Submissions:
Proposals for individual papers, complete paper sessions or symposia, and interactive workshops 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 papers that have not been presented at major conferences. Papers that have already been published are not eligible. All topics are related to Austrian economics, broadly conceived, and related social-science disciplines and business disciplines such as management, strategy, and entrepreneurship are appropriate for the conference. Submitted abstracts should clearly demonstrate the paper’s relevancy to Austrian economics and be limited to 250 words. Papers not adhering to these criteria will be rejected without further review. All proposals are peer reviewed by the AERC Program Committee. Proposals from junior faculty and PhD students are especially encouraged. Submit abstracts here by January 23, 2026. The notification deadline for accepted proposals is February 6, 2026.
Contests and Awards:
- Lawrence W. Fertig Prize: $1,500 to the author who best advances economic science in the Austrian tradition. Please submit nominations here.
- O.P. Alford III Prize: $1,500 to the author who best advances scholarship in the application of Austrian economic theory or libertarian theory to political, economic, or social issues. Please submit nominations 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.
Accommodations and Fees:
We have a special rate at the Auburn University Hotel of $184 per night, plus tax (for a single or double room). Call (334) 821-8200 and mention the Mises Institute event by Saturday, February 14 to secure this rate. Parking is available at the AU Hotel to guests at a rate of $10 per night self-parking or $15 per night valet parking.
Details about event registration coming soon.
Email Felicia Jones with questions, felicia@mises.org.
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.
