Overview
The Laidlaw Undergraduate Leadership and Research Program promotes ethical leadership and international research around the world—starting with the passionate leaders and learners found on campuses like Cornell.
With generous support for your research, leadership development, and a summer abroad putting your skills into action, this 20-month program for emerging leaders lays out a path for you to invest your skills, knowledge, and experience to help others. As a Laidlaw scholar, your talent and motivation are cultivated through research, leadership training and experiences, and networking with like-minded peers.
Over two years, Laidlaw scholars become skilled researchers, embrace data-based decision-making, and learn to lead with integrity.
Interested in joining our next cohort of scholars? Join us for an upcoming Information Session. The application deadline is 1/31/25.
The Program's Key Components
Research
You will spend one as a Laidlaw scholar working on campus on an internationally-focused research project that is supervised by a faculty member or an experienced research team. Your work is supported by a stipend.
Leadership Training
Leadership training is an essential component of the program that continues throughout your time as a Laidlaw scholar. You’ll learn core leadership values and skills that include how to be a global citizen, prioritize collective action and critical reflection, and meaningfully engage with your community.
Leadership-in-Action Experience
Spend one summer abroad, putting your knowledge to use in the real world. You will be able to choose from a variety of options:
- A central leadership program
- Community-engaged leadership
- In-field application of research
Networking
Over your two years in the program, you will get to know like-minded scholars who are passionate about Laidlaw's shared values. The international network of Laidlaw scholars extends beyond Cornell University to a global community that shares an online space for continued collaboration.
