WASHINGTON—The Heritage Foundation today announced the winners of its third annual Freedom and Opportunity Academic Prizes, recognizing higher education professionals whose innovative work advances important conservative policy priorities. 

Heritage President Dr. Kevin Roberts congratulated the winners, all of whom receive between $15,000 and $20,000 for research and education: 

“The winners of Heritage’s Freedom and Opportunity Academic Prizes are on the front lines of the fight to reclaim American higher education from the grip of leftist orthodoxy. This is not just an academic battle—it’s a fight for the soul of our nation. 

 

“These bold scholars are restoring the principles of economic freedom, human dignity, and constitutional self-government in institutions that shape the future of our Republic. Their work advances the cause of American exceptionalism and the conservative movement we lead. Heritage is proud to stand beside them.” 

The 2025 Freedom and Opportunity Academic Prize recipients include: 

• Erika Bachiochi, J.D., Professor of Practice and Director of the Mercy Otis Warren Initiative in the School of Civic and Economic Thought and Leadership at Arizona State University 

• Stephanie Barclay, J.D., Professor of Law at Georgetown Law School, Faculty Co-Director at the Georgetown Center for the Constitution, and Faculty Affiliate at the Constitutional Law Center at Stanford Law School 

• David Bernstein, J.D., Distinguished University Professor at the Antonin Scalia Law School, Director of the Liberty and Law Center at George Mason University, and Associate Fellow in the Faculty of Law at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem 

• Josh Blackman, J.D., Centennial Chair of Constitutional Law at the South Texas College of Law Houston and Nonresident Scholar at the Georgetown University Center for the Constitution 

• Dr. Joshua Dunn, Executive Director of the Institute of American Civics at the University of Tennessee and Visiting Graduate Faculty of Master of Arts in History and American Government at Ashland University 

• Dr. Jesús Fernández-Villaverde, Howard Marks Presidential Professor of Economics at the University of Pennsylvania and Director of the Penn State Initiative for the Study of the Markets 

• Dr. Byron Johnson, Distinguished Professor of the Social Sciences at Baylor University, Distinguished Professor of Religion and Society at the School of Public Policy at Pepperdine University, and Faculty Affiliate of the Human Flourishing Program at Harvard University 

• Julian Ku, J.D., Maurice A. Deane Distinguished Professor of Constitutional Law and Faculty Director of International Programs at the Maurice A. Deane School of Law at Hofstra University and Visiting Professor of Law at Columbia University Law School 

• Dr. Mark Moyar, William P. Harris Chair of Military History and Director of the Center of Military History and Strategy at Hillsdale College 

• Dr. Clara Piano, Visiting Assistant Professor of Economics at the University of Mississippi 

• Dr. Tyler Ransom, Associate Professor of Economics at the University of Oklahoma 

• Dr. Nathan Schlueter, Professor of Philosophy and Religion and Pre-Law Director at Hillsdale College 

• Dr. Colleen Sheehan, Professor in the School of Civic and Economic Thought and Leadership at Arizona State University 

• John Yoo, J.D.,  Emmanuel S. Heller Chair in Law and Distinguished Professor of Law at the University of California at Berkeley School of Law and Distinguished Visiting Professor in the School of Civic Leadership at the University of Texas at Austin 

Winners of the Freedom and Opportunity Academic Prizes can apply their winnings to advance economic freedom, human dignity and flourishing, constitutional governance, national sovereignty, and related traditional American values. 

In 2025, as we prepare to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary, The Heritage Foundation is proud to honor scholars whose work examines America’s Founding and reinvigorates our national dialogue. In addition to their financial award, winners will participate in a Summer Colloquium and Workshop in Washington, D.C.  

Prizewinner John Yoo, J.D., commented: 

“I am honored to receive the Freedom and Opportunity Academic Prize from The Heritage Foundation.  At a time when the American public has lost confidence in higher education, the Heritage Foundation focuses attention on the path forward.  American universities should not just generate knowledge for its own sake; they should research the conditions that strengthen and expand freedom and opportunity in the United States and the world.  In my field of constitutional law, Heritage has been an indispensable platform for the development of one of the most important elements for the survival of freedom and opportunity: the rule of law through a limited Constitution interpreted by judges who obey the original understanding of the Founders. Heritage’s support for the scholars and students who studied and published on originalism have sparked a welcome revolution in the way our courts and our government now resolve constitutional disputes.” 

Josh Blackman, J.D., added: 

“I have been very fortunate to work with The Heritage Foundation for many years. This important organization supports timely and impactful scholarship that makes a real difference in how our Constitution is defended. I am honored to receive this academic prize.” 

Learn more about the Freedom and Opportunity Academic Prizes here.