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
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
- Summer 1: Scholars undertake an independent, faculty mentored 6-week research project after receiving the scholarship.
- Academic Year following Summer 1:
- Scholars participate in leadership development workshops and seminars during the academic year between the first and second summer.
- Scholars participate in an ethic masterclass designed and facilitated through the Oxford Character Project.
- Summer 2: Scholars participate in a 6-week Leadership-in-Action experience in the second summer after receiving the scholarship. The project must have a defined objective and benefitting a group or community in need. Students may develop their own project or apply to work with a partner program through the Laidlaw Foundation.
As part of the Laidlaw Scholars Program, scholars receive:
- Stipends amounting up to $4,500 per summer
- Housing during the Research Summer period
- Access to global networking through the online community network, Laidlaw Scholars Network
Eligibility and Rules
- Applicants must be currently enrolled at Georgetown University as either first year or sophomore students from any major.
- Potential Laidlaw Scholars are eager to conduct meaningful research in their academic area of interest while expanding their leadership skills. Applicants with no prior research experience are particularly encouraged to apply.
- The Laidlaw Scholars Program is an equal opportunity to all current Georgetown University undergraduates regardless of immigration status.
- Students must have a Georgetown Supplier ID established at the time of application. (If possible, it is best to select the ACH/direct deposit option.) If you previously applied for a Supplier ID, check that it is still active on the website of the Office of the Chief Financial Officer. If the Supplier ID is inactive, you will need to apply for a new one.
- Summer research grant awards administered by the Center for Research & Fellowships, including the Laidlaw Scholars summer research, cannot be used for academic course credit.
Upcoming Workshops
Information Sessions and Application 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.
In addition to the workshop recordings offered below, the CRF highly encourages individuals interested in the Laidlaw Scholars program to review our Canvas course on developing a research project.
Past Workshop and Event Recordings
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
2024 – 2025 Application Cycle Workshop Recordings
To stay up to date on all information concerning the Laidlaw program, contact laidlaw@georgetown.edu to be added to the listserv.