The Laidlaw Undergraduate Leadership and Research Scholarship Programme

Two young women read a poster situated in front of them on an easel.

Two students review their peers’ projects at the 2023 Laidlaw Scholars Celebration.

Want to change the world? Passionate about research?

Receive generous funding for an independent research project, cultivate your leadership potential, and create real-world impact with the Laidlaw Undergraduate Leadership and Research Scholarship Programme.

Overview

Image of Laidlaw Foundation Logo

The Laidlaw Foundation partners with world-leading universities, including Columbia University and University College London, to select up to 25 outstanding undergraduates at each institution annually for the Laidlaw Undergraduate Leadership and Research Scholarship.

To date, over a thousand scholars have completed the program, which allows participants to develop their leadership skills and research experience over the course of two summers. Sign up for an advising appointment today!

Program Details

As part of the Laidlaw Scholars Program, scholars receive:

Eligibility and Rules

A student in a navy Georgetown sweater stands in front of a research poster speaking to two other students.

Upcoming Workshops

Information sessions provide a general overview of the program, including background on the Laidlaw Foundation, the main components of the program, this year’s application materials, and general expectations of Laidlaw Scholars.

Application workshops are designed to help you craft the best proposal possible. These sessions directly correspond to key application elements or important considerations for planning and preparing your application. 

Open House sessions allow potential applicants to drop in for group advising sessions. These sessions are less structured to allow potential applicants to ask questions about the Laidlaw Scholars Program. 

RSVPs are required for all sessions. To receive the meeting information in a timely manner, please RSVP at least 24 hours in advance. Hybrid meetings will include both a Zoom link and a location on Georgetown’s main campus for those who wish to attend in person. Zoom links will be sent at least 24 hours prior to the event. Recordings will be posted to the CRF website. 

View a recorded information session about the Center for Research & Fellowships 2023 research programs.

Wednesday November 20, 2024: Workshop #1 – Laidlaw Info Session, Leavey Program Room, Leavey Center

Thursday December 5, 2024, 10:00am – 11:00am: Workshop #2 – Research 101/Determining Your Research Project | Workshop Slide Deck

Tuesday December 10, 2024, 12:00pm – 1:00pm: Workshop #3 – Research Ethics and the Institutional Review Board (Zoom only) | Workshop Slide Deck

Friday January 10, 2025, 12:00pm – 1:00pm: Workshop #4 – Laidlaw Info Session #2 (late interest) | Workshop Slide Deck

Monday January 13, 2025, 10:00am – 11:00am: Workshop #5 – Cultivating Faculty Relationships/Finding a Research Mentor | Workshop Slide Deck

Wednesday January 15, 2025, 2:00pm – 3:00pm: Workshop #6 – Writing Your Leadership Essay (Zoom only) | Workshop Slide Deck

Tuesday January 21, 2025, 4:00pm – 5:00pm: Workshop #7 – Planning Ahead – Leadership in Action (Zoom only) | Workshop Slide Deck

Thursday January 30, 2025, 3:00pm – 5:00pm: Workshop #8 – Application Open House, OSEI Lounge, New South Lower Level (Zoom link available)

To stay up to date on all information concerning the Laidlaw program, contact laidlaw@georgetown.edu to be added to the listserv.