In 2026, the Cato Institute will host its ninth annual Junior Scholars Symposium (JSS), a paper workshop for graduate students on policy-relevant topics related to international security and national security policy.
The Cato Institute works to promote a US foreign policy of restraint. Accordingly, the most promising papers will clearly identify flaws in US approaches to international relations and offer recommendations for improving US foreign policy.
The JSS provides participants a unique opportunity to receive feedback on research in progress from their peers and Cato scholars. Papers should be of journal-article length; the workshop will focus on providing substantive criticism and strategies for getting the work published.
Paper topics may include, but are not limited to, US foreign policy, grand strategy, civil-military relations, alliances and security institutions, and diplomatic history. Candidates should have a background in political science, history, or a related field and must have completed at least one year of study in a PhD program by the time of the workshop.
The 2026 workshop will be held at the Cato Institute building in Washington, DC. Participants will receive a $500 stipend, and Cato will pay for travel to and from Washington, hotel accommodations, and a working dinner.
The symposium will take place on October 15 and 16. To apply, submit an abstract of no more than 500 words and a CV to Jmitchell@cato.org by April 25. All candidates will be notified of the status of their application by May 26, and finalists must submit their papers by September 26.
