Date and Time

August 19, 2026 — August 22, 2026

Location

Cato Institute, 1000 Massachusetts Ave, NW, Washington, DC

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Cato University is the Cato Institute’s premier educational conference for college and graduate students. Each program will explore classical liberal philosophy as a foundation for considering current policy issues. While the topics for each conference will vary, the goal of Cato University is to foster an enduring community of outstanding faculty and participants who share a commitment to liberty and learning.

Cato University is for United States based students. Benefits include room and board, 20+ hours of academic programming, networking opportunities, resources for further study, and a $500 travel stipend upon completion of the program.

Applications for the 2026 summer terms will open in the last quarter of 2025. Applicants will be notified of their status on a rolling basis. If you have any questions or need assistance applying, please email our staff at events@cato.org.

6:00 - 7:00 PM

Registration and Welcome Reception

7:00 - 9:00 PM

Dinner

Keynote Address: To Be Announced

8:00 - 8:45 AM

Breakfast

9:00 - 10:15 AM

The Grievances of the Declaration of Independence at 250

Clark Neily, Senior Vice President for Legal Affairs, Cato Institute

in conversation with

Thomas A. Berry, Director, Robert A. Levy Center for Constitutional Studies, Cato Institute

10:15 - 10:45 AM

Break

10:45 - 11:45 AM

Session A: Data & Dollars

Jennifer Huddleston, Senior Fellow in Technology Policy, Cato Institute

Nicholas Anthony, Research Fellow, Center for Monetary and Financial Alternatives, Cato Institute

Session B: Why Medical Guidance Shouldn’t Come from Washington

Jeffrey A. Singer, Senior Fellow, Cato Institute

11:45 AM - 12:45 PM

Lunch

12:45 - 1:00 PM

Policy Session

2:00 - 2:30 PM

Break

2:30 - 3:30 PM

Cato’s Letters and the American Founding

Paul Meany, Intellectual History Editor, Libertarianism.org

3:30 - 4:00 PM

Refreshment Break

4:00 - 4:30 PM

Debrief and Discuss

4:30 - 6:00 PM

Free Time

6:00 - 6:30 PM

Reception

6:30 - 8:30 PM

Dinner

Dinner Program: Free Speech at America’s 250th

Rikki Schlott, Media Fellow, Cato Institute

8:00 - 8:45 AM

Breakfast

9:00 - 10:00 AM

Religious Liberty, Natural Rights, and the American Founding

Mustafa Akyol, Senior Fellow, Center for Global Liberty and Prosperity, Cato Institute

in conversation with

Allan Carey, Director, Sphere Education Initiatives

10:00 - 10:30 AM

Break

10:30 - 11:45 AM

Policy Session

11:45 AM - 12:45 PM

Lunch

12:45 - 1:45 PM

Policy Session

1:45 - 2:00 PM

Break

2:00 - 3:00 PM

Breakout Sessions

3:00 - 3:30 PM

Refreshment Break

3:30 - 4:30 PM

Professional Development Workshops

4:30 - 6:00 PM

Free Time

6:00 - 6:30 PM

Reception

6:30 - 8:30 PM

Dinner

Dinner Program: To Be Announced

8:00 - 8:45 AM

Breakfast

9:00 - 11:00 AM

Workshop: Civil Discourse and Communicating Classical Liberalism on Campus

11:00 - 11:15 AM

Closing Remarks and Group Photo

11:15 - 11:30 AM

Stipend Distribution and Departures

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Cato University 2026: Summer Term II

Schedule

Wednesday, August 19

Thursday, August 20

Friday, August 21

Saturday, August 22