SPAA PhD Student Tomás Soto-Jara Selected as a Mercatus Fellow for 2026–2027 Academic Year
SPAA PhD student Tomás Soto-Jara has been selected as a Mercatus Fellow at the Mercatus Center at George Mason University for the 2026–2027 academic year, with a program focus on "Understanding Mainline Political Economy." This highly prestigious and competitive year-long fellowship for doctoral students and early-career scholars provides advanced training in political economy through faculty-led colloquia, mentoring, and scholarly development. Throughout the year, Soto-Jara will participate in a series of in-person and virtual colloquia, faculty-led discussions, mentoring activities, and professional development workshops focused on political economy and public policy. The fellowship provides a stipend in addition to covering travel and lodging for the required in-person meetings.
"I am truly honored and very happy to have received this fellowship," said Soto-Jara. "Coming shortly after being selected as an ASPA Founders' Fellow earlier this year, I feel incredibly grateful for these opportunities to continue developing my research and growing as a scholar."
This is in addition to Soto-Jara recently being selected to participate in the São Paulo School of Advanced Science on Regulatory Governance, a highly competitive international doctoral program hosted by Fundação Getulio Vargas (FGV) and supported by the São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP). The school brings together leading international scholars, doctoral students, and policymakers for a 10-day intensive program on regulatory governance in Latin America. During the program, participants attend lectures, research panels, workshops, and academic discussions on topics such as regulatory capacity, agency autonomy, accountability, digital governance, competition policy, climate regulation, and public institutions. The organizers selected 100 participants (50 international and 50 from Brazil) through a competitive international process based on research quality and academic background. The program also provides financial support for international participants, including round-trip airfare, travel insurance, and a daily allowance funded by the São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP).