Hadley Arkes Natural Law Scholarship

The Hadley Arkes Natural Law Scholarship was established in honor of Hadley Arkes, whose scholarly work and professional endeavors has played a significant role in advancing serious academic engagement with the tradition of natural law in American constitutionalism, moral philosophy, and jurisprudence.

Throughout his career, Professor Arkes has emphasized the importance of moral reasoning, first principles, and the idea that law is not merely a matter of power or preference, but is grounded in enduring truths about justice, human dignity, and the common good. His writings have challenged generations of students, scholars, and practitioners to think carefully about the moral foundations of law and political order.

This scholarship is intended to support students who demonstrate a serious academic interest in natural law, including thoughtful engagement with the published scholarly work of Hadley Arkes and related thinkers in the natural law tradition.

Scholarship Purpose

The Hadley Arkes Natural Law Scholarship provides financial support to students who are pursuing their education with a demonstrated interest in:

• Natural law
• Moral reasoning in law and politics
• Constitutionalism and the moral foundations of legal systems
• Classical and contemporary works in jurisprudence and political philosophy

Applicants should demonstrate thoughtful and serious engagement with these subjects.

Application Requirements

To be considered for the scholarship, applicants must submit a complete application, including:

• A 500-word (or fewer) essay, responding to the following prompt:
  
  Describe your academic interest in natural law and explain how engagement with the scholarly work of Hadley Arkes has influenced, or may influence, your studies, intellectual development, or future goals.
  
  Applicants should focus on their academic interests, coursework, reading, research, or future plans. Essays will be evaluated for clarity of thought, seriousness of engagement, and demonstrated interest in natural law.

• Complete application form
• Academic transcripts
• Résumé
• Recent photograph

Selection Process and Timeline

Applications will be reviewed by the Hadley Arkes Natural Law Scholarship Advisory Committee.

Selection is based on academic promise and seriousness of engagement with natural law, including essay quality (clarity of thought and demonstrated interest), and also considers the applicant’s promise, intellect, faith, ethics, character, integrity, and commitment to traditional American values and core principles.

• Application deadline: February 28, 2026
• Scholarship award announced: March 10, 2026

Award

• A $1,000 scholarship award, paid directly to the recipient’s educational institution
• Awards are renewable annually, subject to continued eligibility, for the duration of the recipient’s degree program

Eligibility

To be eligible for this scholarship, applicants must:

• Be currently enrolled, or planning to enroll, in an accredited college, university, or secondary educational program in the United States
• Demonstrate a serious academic interest in natural law
• Submit a complete application by the deadline

Last updated January 20, 2026