American Opportunity Boot Camp (AOB)

About the Program

The program provides participants with an understanding of the history of economic policy ideas that animated Ronald Reagan’s presidency and contemporaneous debates around related issues. Program speakers will help participants understand how Washington really works, including the process by which economic ideas become (or don’t become) policy; the role of research, business, interest groups, lobbying, think tanks, and journalism in the policymaking process; and current policy debates related to economics and opportunity.

Participants

Admission is highly selective. Applicants should be current undergraduates (in their sophomore or later years), be in the first two years of a relevant graduate or professional program, and/or have completed their bachelors degree in 2023 or later. Applicants should have a demonstrated interest in economics, political economy, economic policy, American policy history, or a related field.

Speakers

The syllabus for the 2025 American Opportunity Bootcamp is under development. Previous speakers include:

• Hon. Elaine Chao (Former Secretary of Labor and Secretary of Transportation)

• Douglas Irwin (Dartmouth College)

• Michael Strain (American Enterprise Institute)

• Hon. Kristen Silverberg (Business Roundtable, and former US Ambassador to the EU)

• Erica York (Tax Foundation)

• Sen. Jim Talent (R-MO)

• AOB begins the afternoon of October 23 and runs through the evening of October 25. As a condition of accepting the fellowship, participants must commit to participating in the entire event. The program will take place at the Ronald Reagan Institute’s offices in downtown Washington, DC as well as other locations in the capital area.

• A course pack (approx. 100) pages will be provided in advance, which participants are expected to have read prior to the first session.

• Housing (three nights) and meals are provided. For students coming from outside the Washington, DC area, flights or train transportation will be provided as well. A stipend is provided to cover incidental expenses and ground transportation.