Laidlaw Scholars Leadership & Research Programme
Application Deadline: February 8, 2026 | Summer Funding Round B
The Laidlaw Scholars Leadership and Research Programme at Harvard is a unique two-year opportunity for first-year undergraduates who want to become ethical, effective change-makers. We welcome students from all backgrounds—no prior research or leadership experience is required. What matters most is curiosity, initiative, and the drive to make a positive difference.
Students apply during their first year. If selected, Laidlaw Scholars spend the summer after their first year completing a fully funded research project as part of Harvard’s Summer Undergraduate Research Village. Scholars may join a faculty-led project or propose one of their own. This first summer is designed to help students build the analytical skills, habits of mind, and ethical decision-making capacities that strong leaders need.
During their second year, Scholars participate in cohort-based leadership training at Harvard and through Oxford University’s Ethical Leadership Programme, ultimately earning a Leadership Certificate. They also begin shaping their Leadership in Action project—a six-week, fully funded international experience completed in the second summer. Working with a community partner abroad, Scholars apply what they have learned to address a real-world need, linking their research interests with hands-on leadership practice and public service.
Throughout the two years, Scholars meet regularly as a cohort and connect with the global Laidlaw community across dozens of universities worldwide. The program is designed to help early-career students grow into leaders who use evidence, empathy, and integrity to create meaningful change.
Learn more at the Laidlaw Scholars Leadership and Research Programme page.
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For Students
- Eligibility is limited to first-year undergraduate students
- Students from every academic field and background are welcome to apply
- Applicants should demonstrate the ability to articulate both the intellectual significance and broader societal relevance of their research interests
- Continued eligibility requires full participation in all program meetings and events, as well as satisfactory progress through all program components
As a Laidlaw Scholar, you will:
- Receive funding for two summers—a research project and an international Leadership-in-Action project.
- Develop ethical leadership skills through cohort-based training and the Oxford Ethical Leadership Programme.
- Join a global community of emerging leaders from 20+ universities.
- Build research experience that strengthens analytical thinking and evidence-based decision-making.
- Work closely with faculty mentors and community partners.
- Gain international experience and engage with communities abroad.
- Prepare for future research, fellowship, and leadership opportunities.
Program Requirements
Laidlaw Scholars must:
- Complete a 10-week funded research project in the first summer.
- Complete a 6-week funded Leadership-in-Action project in the second summer.
- Spend one summer abroad (either research or LiA).
- Produce and present an intellectual output at the end of each summer.
- Participate in 45–50 hours of leadership development during the academic year.
- Complete the Oxford Ethical Leadership Programme (six online modules).
- Attend the Laidlaw Scholars Conference in year two (fully funded).
We select Laidlaw Scholars based on potential, curiosity, and commitment, not prior experience. Reviewers look for:
1. Leadership Potential
- A thoughtful example of leadership
- Self-awareness about strengths and areas for growth
- Alignment with Laidlaw leadership values
2. Research Readiness & Curiosity
- A clear explanation of the research project or interest
- Motivation to learn new skills and engage deeply with inquiry
- Sense of the project’s intellectual purpose and possible societal relevance
3. Connection Between Research & Impact
- An emerging understanding of how research can inform ethical decision-making
- Early thinking about the issues or communities they hope to support
4. Leadership-in-Action Mindset
- Openness to global engagement
- A reflective, responsible approach to working with communities abroad
5. Supportive Recommendations
- Insight into the student’s character, curiosity, and leadership potential
- Confirmation that the research project is appropriate and well supported
6. Commitment to the Two-Year Program
- Readiness to participate fully in meetings, trainings, and cohort activities
Your application has four parts. You will submit everything through the Harvard University Funding Portal (linked below).
- Online Application Form
- Three Short Written Statements
- Reference(s)
- Unofficial Transcript
- Current Resume
1. Online Application Form. Tell us basic information about yourself (background, major, interests, etc.).
2. Short Written Statements (Three Essays)
Please upload three separate PDFs (single-spaced, 12-point font, one-inch margins).
Use these essays to help us understand:
- the problems or challenges you care about
- your leadership experiences and future growth goals
- your research interests and how they connect to the difference you want to make
- how you imagine your future Leadership-in-Action project
A. Leadership Statement (500 words)
Tell us about a time you demonstrated leadership, using the Laidlaw Leadership Values as a guide.
- What challenge were you facing?
- What did you do? What skills did you use?
- What did you learn about your leadership?
Then tell us one leadership capacity you hope to develop through this program—and why it matters to you.
B. Research Statement (500 words)
Tell us about the research you hope to do this summer and how it connects to the issues or communities you care about.
Choose one option:
Option 1: Applying to a faculty-sponsored project (check the Research Projects list below & please do not contact faculty researchers at this time)
Explain in your own words:
- What the project is about (purpose, methods, activities)
- Why it interests you
- What you bring to the project (skills, coursework, experiences)
- What you hope to learn—and how this connects to the difference you want to make
- Who might benefit from the project and how
Option 2: Proposing your own project
Explain in your own words:
- What your project will do (purpose, methods, activities)
- Why this project matters to you
- Your preparation and qualifications
- What you hope to learn—and how this connects to issues you care about
- Who might benefit from your work and how
- Who your faculty mentor will be and why they are a good fit (if you do not yet have this confirmed at the time of the deadline, suggest a few potential options and your interest in their work)
C. Leadership-in-Action Interest Statement (250 words)
During the second summer, you will complete a 6-week Leadership-in-Action (LiA) project, benefiting a community outside the United States. You can:
- Create your own project
- Join a Harvard-sponsored project
- Apply to a Laidlaw partner organization
In your short statement, tell us:
- Which type of LiA project currently interests you
- What community or need you might want to serve
- How this interest connects to your research or the difference you hope to make
You do not need a specific project idea yet.
This statement simply helps us see how you are beginning to make connections between your research, your leadership development, and your future impact.
3. Letters of Support. These will be solicited in the application Request section.
A. Academic and Leadership Reference (required of all applicants)
Ask someone who knows you well (not a family member) to describe your leadership capabilities and academic potential—especially how you demonstrate Laidlaw Leadership Values in or out of the classroom. Due at time of application deadlne.
B. Faculty Research Mentor Reference (required only if proposing your own project).
Your faculty mentor should confirm:
- Their support of your project
- Your role in the research
- Their plan for advising you
All research hosts (see Eligibility) must be Harvard affiliated faculty members. Graduate students and postdocs are not members of the Harvard faculty.
- If you already have a confirmed placement, we ask that your faculty research host submit confirmation by February 1.
- If you do not have a confirmed placement yet, submit your application with a placeholder request to URAF (use office email "Undergradresearch@fas.Harvard.edu). Once you secure a faculty research host, replace the placeholder with a request to your actual faculty research host host, who must submit confirmation by March 1.
You may submit your application before your academic evaluator or faculty research host submit their materials. All confirmations must be submitted through the online system.
4. Unofficial Transcript
Upload a recent unofficial transcript from my.Harvard that includes:
- your fall grades
- your spring course registrations
5. Current 1-page resume
Information Session
Thursday, November 20, 2025 at 3:00 PM | via Zoom
URAF staff are available for drop-in advising and for one-on-one appointments after students have watched the information session and joined us for one drop-in session.
2026 Research Projects
Note: Students should not contact faculty members about their listed projects.
Students who are short-listed as finalists will have an opportunity to meet the faculty member. In the application there is a section ("Application Type Selection") to select a faculty sponsored project.
For Faculty
Propose a Research Project for the Laidlaw Scholars Program
The Laidlaw Scholars Leadership and Research Program is a two-year experience that develops exceptional first-year undergraduates into ethical, impact-driven, expertise-informed leaders. Scholars begin with a fully funded, 10-week summer research project, guided by a faculty mentor. In the second year, they participate in advanced leadership training and complete a project with an international community partner, applying their research and leadership skills to real-world challenges.
We are now seeking faculty mentors to help shape the first stage of this journey.
Why Submit a Project?
Laidlaw Scholars are energetic, curious, and ready to contribute meaningfully to your research agenda. By hosting a scholar, you help shape an emerging researcher while advancing a focused project with clear societal benefit—in any discipline, using any methodology.
What We’re Looking For
Faculty-defined projects should:
- Be feasible in 10 weeks of full-time summer research.
- Offer a public or societal impact, whether through applied, translational, community-engaged or participatory research.
- Provide a discrete, achievable contribution for a first-year student.
Students receive a stipend as part of their award, along with food and lodging in Harvard’s Summer Undergraduate Research Village from early June to early August.
Faculty Mentor Commitments
As a Laidlaw faculty mentor, you will:
- Meet regularly with your scholar (June–August).
- Guide the development of a realistic research question and plan.
- Support necessary approvals (IRB, risk assessment, etc.).
- Provide ongoing feedback and encouragement.
- Communicate progress to the Office of Undergraduate Research and Fellowships.
Your mentorship culminates in the student producing a final scholarly output such as a poster, presentation, paper, or video.
How the Selection Process Works
- Faculty submit a brief project proposal (your mentorship approach + project description).
- Approved projects are posted on the URAF website.
- Students apply to join the Laidlaw cohort.
- URAF reviews applications and shortlisted students are interviewed; up to five semifinalists are forwarded to each mentor.
- Faculty review semifinalists using a standard rubric.
- Finalists and mentors connect to confirm best fit.
Project Proposal
The project proposal, linked below, asks you to share some brief biographical information. We then ask faculty members to share the following about their proposed project.
- Project Title (12 words)
- Brief Project Description: Describe the research that you would have the applicants do over the course of the research summer. Expecting that candidates may have varying degrees of prior research experience and will be first-year students, outline a couple of potential pathways that the work might take. What projects would they be working on and what do you foresee the role and responsibilities of the Laidlaw Research Scholar will be.
- Significance of the Research: Briefly, what is the potential broader signficance of the proposed project, both within the field and in relationship to broader societal questions and challenges? Which public or private sector or community groups might benefit and how will they benefit?
- Mentoring Philosophy and Supports: Describe your mentoring philosophy and practices, generally, and how you anticipate personally guiding and steering the Laidlaw Research Scholar over the course of their research summer. If you need to be away for any part of the summer, how will you continue the mentoring relationship?
- Scholar Qualifications and Developmental Opportunities: Outline for us what qualifications and qualities will make the Laidlaw Scholar most successful in your group. Please also share what skills and capacities you expect that the Laidlaw Scholar will develop over their time working with you. Again, remember that while talented, these students will be first-year students.
- Desired Skills: Understanding that these are first-year students, what possible skills would you hope the Laidlaw Scholar to possess? Check any and all that apply.
Use the form below to share your proposal (HarvardKey required) by January 23.