PhD Dissertation Award

People in an audience listening to a speaker

The Stigler Center awards up to five $5,000 dissertation awards for University of Chicago PhD students in their third, fourth, or fifth year who are in the advanced phases of a dissertation about political economy, regulation, or the various forms of subversion of competition by special interest groups.

Winners are chosen on the basis of academic excellence and rigorous research.

Eligibility Details

University of Chicago PhD students in economics, business, political science, sociology, law, and other related fields may apply so long as their dissertation sheds light on a relevant topic, including, but not limited to:

  • Corruption
  • Crony capitalism
  • Capture (including media, judicial, academic)
  • Effects of regulation on competition
  • Antitrust
  • Market design
  • Remedies to wage and productivity gaps
  • Shareholder vs stakeholder capitalism and ESG
  • Impacts of campaign financing on legislation

Note: The awards are open to University of Chicago students only.

Winners receive $2,500 after the start of the Fall quarter and the remaining $2,500 at the end of the academic year provided successful completion of the below requirements.

Program Requirements

Award winners are required to:

  • Submit two brief (<1 page) reports throughout the year on their research progress
  • Present their work in progress at a Stigler Center PhD Lunch Seminar (typically held in Winter quarter)
  • Attend the Stigler Center PhD Lunch Seminars
  • Submit an article to the ProMarket publication based on their research presentation

Program Benefits

In addition to the $5,000 award, Stigler Center PhD Dissertation Award winners become part of an active research community, participating in closed workshops where they can receive feedback on work in progress and gain valuable job talk experience. Winners also benefit from access to publishing on ProMarket, offering valuable opportunities to disseminate their research and build visibility.

Apply

Applications for the 26-27 academic year are now open.

The requirements (below) must be submitted through our online application once open:

  • CV
  • Dissertation proposal - limited to 3 pages (not including citations)
  • 1 letter of recommendation

Deadline: Applications must be received by June 14, 2026, by midnight CT.

APPLY NOW

Winners