![Cato University](/sites/cato.org/files/styles/optimized/public/2025-11/Cato-University%20hero%20copy.JPG?itok=i5-6QX9f) 

Cato University 

# Cato University 2026: Winter Term 

Date and Time 

**February 5, 2026 — February 7, 2026** 

Location 

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

Share This Event 

[Apply for Cato University](https://register.cato.org/catouwinter2026) 

**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/​e​d​u​c​a​t​i​o​n​a​l​-​p​r​o​g​r​a​m​s​/​c​a​t​o​-​u​n​i​v​e​rsity**](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](mailto:events@cato.org?Subject=Cato%20University%20Application%202025).

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](https://register.cato.org/catouwinter2026) 

---

### Schedule

#### Thursday, February 5

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:** ***Constitutional Constraints on Executive Emergency Powers***

![](https://www.cato.org/sites/cato.org/files/styles/bio_picture_desktop_3x/public/2023-04/ilya-somin-cropped.jpg?itok=viJYGjPw)[Ilya Somin](https://www.cato.org/people/ilya-somin), B. Kenneth Simon Chair in Constitutional Studies, Cato Institute 

#### Friday, February 6

8:00 - 8:45 AM 

**Breakfast**

9:00 - 10:15 AM 

***In Defense of Openness***

![](https://www.cato.org/sites/cato.org/files/styles/bio_picture_desktop_3x/public/2025-12/jason-brennan-headshot.png?itok=NzPOlC0G)[Jason Brennan](https://gufaculty360.georgetown.edu/s/contact/00336000014RXIUAA4/jason-brennan), Robert J. and Elizabeth Flanagan Family Professor, Georgetown University 

10:15 - 10:30 AM 

**Break**

10:30 - 11:30 AM 

***A Consequentialist Approach to Limited Government***

![](https://www.cato.org/sites/cato.org/files/styles/bio_picture_desktop_3x/public/2021-04/j-mironcropped.jpg?itok=n8fwlHGj)[Jeffrey Miron](https://www.cato.org/people/jeffrey-miron), Vice President for Research, Cato Institute 

11:30 AM - 12:30 PM 

***The State of Realism and Restraint in American Foreign Policy: A Practitioner’s Perspective***

![](https://www.cato.org/sites/cato.org/files/styles/bio_picture_desktop_3x/public/2025-11/katherine_thompson_cropped_0.jpg?itok=2JUanp7S)[Katherine Thompson](https://www.cato.org/people/katherine-thompson), Senior Fellow, Cato Institute 

12:30 - 1:15 PM 

**Lunch**

1:15 - 2:30 PM 

***The Grievances of the Declaration of Independence at 250***

![](https://www.cato.org/sites/cato.org/files/styles/bio_picture_desktop_3x/public/2021-01/Clark%20Neily.jpg?itok=gAushuUJ)[Clark Neily](https://www.cato.org/people/clark-neily), Senior Vice President for Legal Studies, Cato Institute 

![](https://www.cato.org/sites/cato.org/files/styles/bio_picture_desktop_3x/public/2021-01/Alex%20Nowrasteh.jpg?itok=jrLKm2KR)[Alex Nowrasteh](https://www.cato.org/people/alex-nowrasteh), Senior Vice President for Policy, Cato Institute 

2:30 - 2:45 PM 

**Break**

2:45 - 3:45 PM 

***Data and Dollars: Understanding Tech and Finance Policy***

![](https://www.cato.org/sites/cato.org/files/2026-01/jennifer-huddleston-circle-crop.jpg)[Jennifer Huddleston](https://www.cato.org/people/jennifer-huddleston), Senior Fellow in Technology Policy, Cato Institute 

![](https://www.cato.org/sites/cato.org/files/styles/bio_picture_desktop_3x/public/2023-03/jennifer-schulp-cropped-2.jpg?itok=sjXCg851)[Jennifer J. Schulp](https://www.cato.org/people/jennifer-j-schulp), Former Director of Financial Regulation Studies, Center for Monetary and Financial Alternatives 

![](https://www.cato.org/sites/cato.org/files/styles/bio_picture_desktop_3x/public/2025-06/Solveig%20Singleton--cropped-2.jpg?itok=nN5IzwXH)[Solveig Singleton](https://www.cato.org/people/solveig-singleton), Policy Analyst, Center for Monetary and Financial Alternative 

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:** ***The Promise of the Declaration and the Civic Virtues That Sustain It***

![](https://www.cato.org/sites/cato.org/files/styles/optimized/public/2026-01/michael-promisel-circle.jpeg?itok=qLSCFtKN)[Michael Promisel](https://politics.catholic.edu/faculty-and-research/faculty-profiles/promisel-michael/index.html), Assistant Professor of Politics, Catholic University of America 

#### Saturday, February 7

8:00 - 8:45 AM 

**Breakfast**

9:00 - 10:00 AM 

***Classical Liberalism and Rhetorical Problems***

![](https://www.cato.org/sites/cato.org/files/styles/bio_picture_desktop_3x/public/2023-07/paul-meany.jpeg?itok=H4VWSWo9)[Paul Meany](https://www.cato.org/people/paul-meany), Intellectual History Editor, 
Lib​er​tar​i​an​ism​.org 

10:00 - 11:15 AM 

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

11:15 AM - 12:00 PM 

**Closing Remarks, Group Photo, and Stipend Distribution**

##### Optional Afternoon Sessions

12:00 - 12:45 PM 

**Lunch**

12:45 - 1:30 PM 

***Public Speaking Workshop***

![](https://www.cato.org/sites/cato.org/files/2026-01/stephen-rowe.jpeg)**Stephen Rowe**, Cato Courses Director, Cato Institute 

1:30 - 1:45 PM 

**Break**

1:45 - 2:30 PM 

***Building a Strong Cato Internship Application***

![](https://www.cato.org/sites/cato.org/files/2026-01/cortez-bartolome.jpeg)**Cortez Bartolome**, Student Programs Manager, Cato Institute 

2:30 - 3:00 PM 

***Activism and AI***

![](https://www.cato.org/sites/cato.org/files/2026-01/stephen-rowe.jpeg)**Stephen Rowe**, Cato Courses Director, Cato Institute 

3:00 PM 

**Wrap Up and Departures**

---

#### Past Events 

[![Cato University on Campus - Boston - Social](/sites/cato.org/files/styles/content_teaser/public/2025-08/Cato%20University%20on%20Campus%20in%20Boston%20-%20Social.jpg?itok=hvokx0z-)](https://www.cato.org/student-programs/cato-university-campus-boston-2025) 

events 

### [Cato University on Campus in Boston](/student-programs/cato-university-campus-boston-2025) 

By [Jonathan Fortier](https://www.cato.org/people/jonathan-fortier), [Douglas Irwin](https://www.cato.org/people/douglas-irwin), [Jeffrey Miron](https://www.cato.org/people/jeffrey-miron), [Johan Norberg](https://www.cato.org/people/johan-norberg), & [Joshua Shifrinson](https://www.cato.org/people/joshua-shifrinson) 

October 18, 2025 

What is America’s role in the world? Does international trade strengthen or weaken our national security? How should a free society engage with other nations?

[![Cato University Logo 16x9](/sites/cato.org/files/styles/content_teaser/public/2024-12/cato-u-list-image%20Cropped.png?itok=Kdh5oajc)](https://www.cato.org/student-programs/cato-university-2026-session-ii) 

events 

### [Cato University 2026: Summer Term II](/student-programs/cato-university-2026-session-ii) 

August 19, 2026 

Cato University is the Cato Institute’s premier educational conference for college and graduate students.

[![Cato University Logo 16x9](/sites/cato.org/files/styles/content_teaser/public/2024-12/cato-u-list-image%20Cropped.png?itok=Kdh5oajc)](https://www.cato.org/student-programs/cato-university-2026-session-i) 

events 

### [Cato University 2026: Summer Term I](/student-programs/cato-university-2026-session-i) 

August 2, 2026 

Cato University is the Cato Institute’s premier educational conference for college and graduate students.

[![Creative Commons License](/build/cato_2020/images/creative-commons.svg)](http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/) 
This work is licensed under a [Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/).