Emergent Ventures Grant Program Guide

Quick Facts §

Type	Non-dilutive grant ($1,000-$50,000)
Eligibility	13+ years old, global applications welcome
Process	Rolling applications
Contact	emergentventures@mercatus.gmu.edu

Mission §

We fund high-reward moonshots that advance prosperity, opportunity, liberty, and well-being. We welcome the unusual and unorthodox. Our goal is positive social change, though we encourage profit-generating projects if they create impact.

What We Fund §

• Fellowships at Mercatus Center (Northern Virginia)
• One-time or staggered payment grants
• Both small and large initiatives that could change life trajectories
• Global projects, both profit and non-profit

Application Guide §

Key Application Questions & Prompts §

1. Personal Story

• Question: “Tell us your personal story, and how it relates to what you wish to do.”
• Focus on your narrative and project connection
• Formal credentials matter less than authentic experience
• Keep brief but compelling

2. Consensus View

• Question: “What is one mainstream or ‘consensus’ view that you absolutely agree with?”
• This intentionally reverses typical contrarian approaches
• Be thoughtful and genuine

3. Project Proposal (1,500 words max)

• Tweet-length project summary
• Problem statement: “What’s the problem you intend to solve?”
• Your solution approach
• Novel aspects: “What is new or unusual in your vision and understanding?”
• Basic budget outline
• Implementation plan
• Expected impact

Application Process §

1. Submit through website form
2. Guaranteed response within 2-3 weeks. Recommend following up on twitter if you don’t get a response within 2-3 weeks.
3. If selected: 10-15 minute interview
4. Decision made often during interview or a couple of days after via email

Tips from Grant Recipients §

“Make sure you have a solid understanding of:

• What you’re building
• Why you’re building it
• What you’ll spend the funds on”
• Ari, EV Recipient

Example Recipients §

Featured Projects §

1. Onkar Singh - Open-source satellite platformsLinkedIn
2. Sohi Patel - Wearable healthcare technologyLinkedInPodcastGrant discussion starts at 32:15
3. Sam McCay - Access management systemsLinkedIn

Sample Applications §

1. UltraRice - 18yo community builderBackground: International experience across France, America, Canada, ItalyView Application
2. Samstack - 25yo writer from LondonFocus: Social science, Effective Altruism, forecastingView Application
3. Economics Writer - 18yo from SingaporeFocus: Economics and history contentView Application

Interview Preparation §

Recommended Research §

Study these materials to understand the interviewers’ perspectives:

• Emergent Ventures Q&A
• Tyler Cowen On Talent
• Tyler Cowen & Shruti Rajagopalan: Geopolitics of talent
• Shruti Rajagopalan on the Past, Present, and Future of the Indian Economy
• Tyler Cowen is the best curator of talent in the world
• Tyler Cowen: Economic Growth & the Fight Against Conformity & Mediocrity

Additional Resources §

• Andrew Nijmeh’s ExperienceApple PodcastsGrant discussion starts at 16:20
• Ari’s Experience Full Video

Post-Award Information §

• Simple one-page contract
• Payment within 30 days
• Annual progress update required
• Flexible spending guidelines
• International wire transfers available
• Tax documentation required (W-9 for US recipients)

Community §

• Join Merge Club Discord for connection with other grantees
• Regular updates and networking opportunities

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Note: This documentation is regularly updated. Please verify all information through official channels.