Cato University 2026: Winter Term

Date and Time

February 5, 2026 — February 7, 2026

Location

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

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At this time, Cato University Winter Term has reached capacity. By submitting your application, you agree to be added to our waitlist in the event a space opens. We encourage you to also apply for our Cato University Summer Terms at https://www.cato.org/educational-programs/cato-university.

If you have any questions or need assistance applying, please email our staff at events@cato.org.

Cato University is the Cato Institute’s premier educational event for college students. Each program will explore classical liberal philosophy as a foundation for considering current policy issues. This year’s Cato University Winter Term is offered in cooperation with Students For Liberty. Members of Students For Liberty are particularly encouraged to apply as additional programming will be offered for SFL students.

Cato University is for United States based applicants; we are currently not accepting applications from internationally based attendees.

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.

Apply for Cato University

4:30 - 5:30 PM

Registration

5:30 - 6:00 PM

Welcoming Remarks and Event Kickoff

6:00 - 6:30 PM

Opening Reception

6:30 - 7:30 PM

Dinner

7:30 - 8:30 PM

Opening Keynote

Ilya Somin, B. Kenneth Simon Chair in Constitutional Studies, Cato Institute

8:00 - 8:45 AM

Breakfast

9:00 - 10:15 AM

Jason Brennan, Robert J. and Elizabeth Flanagan Family Professor, Georgetown University

10:15 - 10:30 AM

Break

10:30 - 11:30 AM

Jeffrey Miron, Vice President for Research, Cato Institute

11:30 AM - 12:30 PM

Katherine Thompson, Senior Fellow, Cato Institute

12:30 - 1:15 PM

Lunch

1:15 - 2:30 PM

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

Alex Nowrasteh, Senior Vice President for Policy, Cato Institute

2:30 - 2:45 PM

Break

2:45 - 3:45 PM

Policy Sessions

Jennifer Huddleston, Senior Fellow in Technology Policy, Cato Institute

3:45 - 4:00 PM

Break

4:00 - 4:30 PM

Debrief and Discussion

4:30 - 6:00 PM

Free Time

6:00 - 6:30 PM

Reception

6:30 - 7:30 PM

Dinner

7:30 - 8:30 PM

Dinner Keynote

Michael Promisel, Assistant Professor of Politics, Catholic University of America

8:00 - 8:45 AM

Breakfast

9:00 - 10:00 AM

Paul Meany, Intellectual History Editor,
Libertarianism.org

10:00 - 11:00 AM

Workshop: Civil Discourse and Making a Convincing Case for Classical Liberalism

11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Closing Remarks, Group Photo, and Stipend Distribution

12:00 - 12:45 PM

Lunch

12:45 - 1:30 PM

Public Speaking Workshop

1:30 - 1:45 PM

Break

1:45 - 2:30 PM

Building a Strong Cato Internship Application

2:30 - 3:00 PM

Activism and AI

3:00 PM

Wrap Up and Departures

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