You will spend your first summer as a Laidlaw Scholar working on an internationally-focused research project that is supervised by an academic supervisor or an experienced research team. Your faculty advisor or supervisor will need to provide one of your application recommendation letters.

The Laidlaw program supports you with a weekly stipend while you develop skills of analysis, investigative study, problem-solving, and data management. Your research may be:

1. An individual project: Choose your own project. You are free to identify whatever work interests you, and select a faculty mentor to work with one-on-one.
2. A pre-existing project: Many faculty members are already looking for undergraduate research assistants to join exciting projects across fields. Contact a Cornell faculty member from our list of projects to see if you would be a good fit, or identify research projects and faculty from other Laidlaw schools who you can also work with.
3. A Laidlaw central project: You will be joining an international network of partners as Laidlaw Scholar, and many are eager to work with you. Explore the list of potential projects to see which you may be eligible to join. 

If you are interested in working with a faculty member outside of Cornell or on a central Laidlaw project, you will need to discuss this with the Laidlaw coordinator before applying.

Leadership training is an essential component of the program. All Laidlaw Scholars will engage in leadership development that continues throughout their time in the program, learning core leadership values and skills that prioritize collective action and the practice of critical reflection. This programming will be led by the Office of Engagement Initiatives.

You will earn a certificate in engaged leadership and participate in ongoing opportunities for development throughout your two years, developing problem-solving and communication skills that benefit you long past your time in the program.

Spend your second summer abroad, putting your knowledge to use in the real world. You will be able to choose from a variety of options:

1. Leadership expedition: A leadership-intensive organized program that you select from our approved list. You will experience a new and challenging environment outside of the U.S. alongside a group of Laidlaw Scholars from other universities. 
2. Community-engaged leadership: A leadership placement with a nonprofit, community organization, or social enterprise that takes you outside of your comfort zone. In this placement, you may build on your research project, plan and implement strategy, and engage with others in leading meaningful change. It can be local or in the U.S., but must be in a disadvantaged community. 
3. In-field application of research: An application of your research in the real world that aims to create positive change while developing your leadership skills. In addition to being outside of your comfort zone, you will need to provide clearly defined objectives and impacts of your work which will be beneficial to society.

These skills are directly transferable to future work across disciplines, while also introducing you to different life experiences and expanding your perspective.

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. 

1. Attend and fully participate in all leadership development activities/training/events. (These may be remote due to COVID.)
2. Engage in faculty-mentored research for five to six consecutive weeks during the first summer.
3. Engage in an immersive leadership experience for five to six consecutive weeks during the second summer.
4. Present your research during the fall research symposium.
5. Write a report, or produce a short video on your overall learning and leadership outcomes at the conclusion of the second summer.
6. Serve as a mentor to new scholars and as an ambassador of Cornell's Laidlaw program.
7. 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.

2021

• April 1: Laidlaw Scholars welcome and launch, 5 to 7 p.m.
• April 3–4: Leadership retreat, all day 
• April 14, 30: IDP and coaching
• May 22: Research Scaffolding Workshop, 1 to 4 p.m.
• June, July, and August: Research dates are flexible, but must be full time over consecutive weeks
• August 28: Research communication, 1 to 4 p.m.
• September 15 to October 27: Capstone dialogue
• November 4: Research symposium, 5 to 7 p.m.

2022

• February: Preparation for international field engagement, exact details to be determined
• June, July, and August: Leadership-in-action experience dates are flexible, but must be full time over a consecutive period of six weeks
• November: Leadership celebration and presentations, exact details to be determined