Laidlaw Scholars Program

The Laidlaw Scholars Leadership and Research Program is an innovative scholarship which aims to develop a new generation of leaders who are skilled researchers, embrace data-based decision making and believe it is a moral imperative to lead with integrity.
The Laidlaw Scholars program is a two-year scaffolded learning experience. Scholars collaborate with Brown University faculty on a community-engaged UTRA project in their first summer; participate in leadership development between their first and second summer; and take ownership of a Leadership-in-Action project with an NGO or nonprofit organization of their choice in their second summer (ideally building on insights from their research or related priorities identified with their faculty advisor and/or community partner).
Structure and Timeline
Laidlaw Scholars participate in an intensive and rewarding 18-month leadership development program which includes funded research and community engagement opportunities over two summers, as well as leadership training during the academic year in collaboration with community partners, alumni, and Swearer Center staff. During their first summer, scholars collaborate closely with faculty research supervisors on community-engaged research projects and receive specialized training in the ethics, methods, and design of community-engaged research.
Applicants may select a pre-defined research project from the list included in this year's call for applications. Students selected to participate in cross-listed Laidlaw/UTRA projects are required to attend an orientation to community-engaged research during the first weekend in May.
Laidlaw Scholars will kick off the academic year with a leadership training retreat. In an immersive group environment, Scholars will discover their own leadership strengths, learn core leadership attributes, explore community-engaged leadership values and develop their leadership skills through exercises and applied learning.
The Leadership-in-Action summer experience will take place in the last six weeks of the program. Scholars can choose to conduct a project with fellow scholars at a Laidlaw partner site or undertake a six-week Leadership-in-Action project with an NGO or nonprofit organization independently. For more information, please consult the Leadership-in-Action Summer Handbook.
Expectations
- Scholars are expected to complete both summer experiences and actively participate in leadership development training and cohort activities. Scholars must complete the Oxford Character Project’s Ethical Leadership Certificate program during the academic year to remain eligible for Leadership-in-Action summer funding.
- Upon completion of the first summer, scholars are expected to produce an intellectual output (such as an academic essay or research poster) that aligns with the interdisciplinary nature of the project and/or the priorities of its community partners.
- Scholars are encouraged to spend either their research summer or Leadership-in-Action summer engaging a community abroad. More details about the Leadership-in-Action summer, including final deliverables, can be found in the Leadership-in-Action Summer Handbook.
Eligibility
Students from all disciplines and backgrounds are eligible to participate. Scholars will receive a base stipend of $2,500. Aided students may receive up to an additional $3,000 (for a total of $5,500). A summer earnings waiver is available for eligible students.
Please note that rising seniors (i.e., students graduating in May 2026) are ineligible for the second summer of funding.
Apply
The Laidlaw Scholars Program application is currently open. Students must follow the SPRINT Fellowship application process. For the Laidlaw Scholars Program, this includes three parts:
- Register in UFunds (SPRINT Fellowships)
- Complete the Google Forms application for an Undergraduate Teaching and Research Award (UTRA). In the application, select your preferred cross-listed Laidlaw/UTRA project from the drop-down menu.
- Prepare and upload the following documents as part of your application:
- A resumé showcasing your qualifications and experience.
- A cover letter addressed to the faculty member supervising the research opportunity you are applying for.
The deadline to complete all application steps is 11:59 pm ET on February 2, 2025.
Contact
Questions?
The Laidlaw Foundation
Cultivating Next-Generation Leaders