Requirements

College/School Eligibility:

  • Agriculture and Life Sciences
  • Brooks School of Public Policy
  • Architecture, Art and Planning
  • Arts and Sciences
  • Bowers CIS
  • Engineering
  • Human Ecology
  • Industrial and Labor Relations
  • SC Johnson Business - Dyson
  • SC Johnson Business - Hotel

Class Year Eligibility:

  • First Year (undergrad)
  • Second Year (undergrad)

Open to:

  • Cornell Undergraduate Students

Eligibility

To be considered for the Einaudi Center's Laidlaw Scholars program, a student must:

  • Be a first- or second-year undergraduate student at Cornell University.
  • Be in good standing academically and have no unresolved disciplinary charges or sanctions.
  • Be enrolled in an undergraduate degree program throughout the program (e.g., not on LOA).
  • Be committed to full participation in all components of the program through April 2029. This includes but is not limited to full-time commitment over at least six consecutive weeks for two summers. It is your responsibility to ensure full participation in the Laidlaw Scholars program does not conflict with your other Cornell and external responsibilities. Please note that full participation is expected even if you will be off campus during the school year (for example, participating in study abroad or Cornell in Washington programs). If you have any questions about what full commitment to the program entails, please contact us at laidlaw.scholars@cornell.edu 

First- and second-year students from any college or major may apply. Previous Scholars represent 55 different majors in 7 schools and colleges. 

We are looking for students who seek to be globally engaged citizens, ethical leaders, and internationally focused researchers. This is a great opportunity for students who are looking to get out of their comfort zone while being supported by faculty, staff, and peers. You should have a strong academic background and must be able to commit to full participation in the program. U.S. citizenship is not required. 

What is expected of Laidlaw scholars? 

  • Attend and fully participate in all leadership development activities/training/events including spring and fall workshops.
  • Engage in faculty-mentored research on campus for six consecutive weeks during the first summer. Scholars are not permitted to hold other internships or full-time commitments during that time.
  • Engage in a community-engaged leadership project in an international setting for six consecutive weeks during the second summer.
  • Share your research and leadership project experiences with the Laidlaw community at the end of each summer.
  • Present your research and international leadership experiences at the annual scholar showcase at Cornell each fall.
  • Represent Cornell at the North American Laidlaw conference during your first year in the program.
  • Share a reflective essay on your leadership development journey at the conclusion of the program.
  • Serve as a mentor to new scholars and as an ambassador of Cornell's Laidlaw program.
  • Be an active member of the Laidlaw Scholars Network while a scholar, and keep the central Laidlaw Program informed of career developments as an alum.

Please contact us at laidlaw.scholars@cornell.edu with any questions about the program.