PhD Dissertation Award

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. PhD students in economics, business, political science, sociology, law, and other related fields may apply so long as their dissertation sheds light on relevant topics including effects of regulation on competition, impacts of campaign financing on legislation, corruption, crony capitalism, media capture, judicial capture, market design, antitrust, and shareholder vs stakeholder capitalism and ESG. Winners receive up to $2,500 after the start of the Fall quarter and the rest upon submission of a research progress report at the end of the academic year. Award winners are required to submit reports throughout the year on their research progress and can attend Stigler lunches and present their work in progress.