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Roger Pilon Fellowship

The Roger Pilon Fellowship awards $10,000 grants for the next academic year to up to two qualified Columbia University School of General Studies students selected each year by IHS.

The grant is paid to the winner’s account at Columbia University after the winner attends an IHS event (winners will receive information about upcoming IHS events) and after IHS receives notice from Columbia that the winner has registered for the fall 2023 semester.

The priority deadline for applications for the fall 2023 semester is September 15, 2023. Notice of fall semester awards will be given on September 29, 2023. Applications submitted after September 15, 2023, will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

We also encourage you to explore other funding opportunities from IHS.

More About the Roger Pilon Fellowship:

The Roger Pilon Fellowship is generously supported by Roger Pilon, PhD JD (GS, 1971), and administered by the Institute for Humane Studies (IHS), which works to achieve a freer, more humane, and open society by connecting and supporting talented graduate students, scholars, and other intellectuals who develop and apply classical liberal ideas. The fellowships are intended for students planning careers that advance the ideas of the classical liberal tradition.

Am I eligible?

The Roger Pilon Fellowship is open to full-time students who will be enrolled at Columbia University’s School of General Studies during the 2023–2024 academic year. The fellowships are intended for students who plan to pursue either:

  1. Academic careers in political philosophy, American history, economics, or law, or
  2. Legal careers practicing public-interest law in the classical liberal tradition.

Veterans of US armed forces will receive special consideration.

What do I need to complete the application?

A completed online application form will include:

  • CV or resume.
  • Official transcript from Columbia University‘s School of General Studies (prospective students may submit their most recent transcript from a previous institution).
  • Short essays on the following:
    • List four books or thinkers that have influenced your worldview, and explain why (<100 words each).
    • Autobiographical sketch (<500 words).
    • Discuss your understanding of the U.S. Constitution (<1,000 words).
    • Discuss your career plans, including why you have chosen them (<500 words).
  • One letter of recommendation, sent from the recommender directly to the Institute for Humane Studies.

Please direct any questions and letters of recommendation to Funding@TheIHS.org.

Here is the timeline for our application process:

  1. Apply for a position 
  2. An HR team member will review your application submission  
  3. If selected for consideration, you will speak with a recruiter 
  4. If your experience and skills match the role, you will interview with the hiring manager
  5. If you are a potential fit for the position, you will interview with additional staff members
  6. If you are the candidate chosen, we will extend a job offer

 

All candidates will be notified regarding the status of their application within two to three weeks of submission. As new positions often become available, we encourage you to visit our site frequently for additional opportunities that align with your interests and skills.