[The Philosophy, Politics, and Economics Society](https://ppesociety.org/ppe-research-consortium)

May 31, 2026 (Essay submission)

$500 award, free conference admission, and opportunity to present at the PPE Society Annual Meeting

Annual prize recognizing the most innovative graduate student essay in philosophy, politics, and economics.

Open to currently enrolled graduate students; essay must be unpublished and anonymized.

--- ## Description This annual essay prize honors the legacy of Gerald Gaus, a scholar dedicated to fostering creativity and independent thought in philosophy, politics, and economics (PPE). The award recognizes a currently enrolled graduate student whose essay demonstrates originality, intellectual curiosity, and the effective integration of philosophy and social science to illuminate social and political institutions. The winner receives a cash award, free admission to the PPE Society Annual Meeting, and the opportunity to present their work alongside senior scholars. --- ## Due Dates - May 31, 2026 (Essay submission deadline) *All dates are projected based on the annual cycle; check the program page for updates.* --- ## Funding Amount - $500 cash award - Free admission to the PPE Society Annual Meeting - Opportunity to present the winning essay in a special session with senior scholars --- ## Eligibility - Open to currently enrolled graduate students (master’s or doctoral level) in any institution. - Essays must be unpublished at the time of submission. - Only one submission per person. - Simultaneous submissions to other venues are allowed. - Submission must be anonymized (no identifying information). --- ## Application Process - Prepare an original essay of 4,000–7,500 words (approximately 15–25 pages) on a topic relevant to philosophy, politics, and economics. - Essays should highlight the integration of philosophical and social science approaches to understanding institutions. - Submit your essay as an anonymized PDF via the [online submission form](https://ppesociety.org/gaus-prize-call-for-papers/). - Include a working title. - Ensure your name and any identifying information are not included in the document. - The winner will be notified in mid-summer. --- ## Additional Information - The winning essay will be the focus of a special session at the PPE Society Annual Meeting, with commentary from two senior scholars. - Past winners have addressed a wide range of topics in political theory, philosophy, and institutional analysis. - The prize committee is chaired by Ryan Muldoon (University at Buffalo) and includes scholars from multiple institutions. --- ## External Links - [Prize Overview and Submission Guidelines](https://ppesociety.org/gaus-prize-call-for-papers/) - [PPE Society Main Page](https://ppesociety.org/) - [Past Winners and Prize Details](https://ppesociety.org/gerald-gaus-memorial-ppe-essay-prize/) --- ## Contact Information | Purpose | Link | |------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------| | General Inquiries | [Contact the PPE Society](https://ppesociety.org/contact-us) |

Gerald Gaus Memorial PPE Essay Prize

Sign in to see full grant listing