Details

The IES Graduate Research Grant is available to graduate students in any field of study whose research is focused on the study of Europe.

Criteria

• Quality of the research proposal within the field
• Validity and feasibility of the project
• Research and professional qualifications
• Strength of academic performance and letter of recommendation

Requirements

• 4-5 page research proposal (double-spaced) with bibliography
• Project budget
• 1 letter of recommendation*

Winners receive up to $4,000 in funding, distributed through their bursar account. The IES Graduate Research Grant application is conducted together with the Manon Michels and Michele Sicca Grant competitions. Candidates submit a single application and are automatically considered for each of the awards.

Contact IES with questions about this award.

Details

The Luigi Einaudi Graduate Dissertation Fellowship is a semester-long or year-long fellowship available to graduate students in modern European government, history, economics, and related social science fields. The award consists of a graduate student stipend for one or two semesters, in-absentia fees, and enrollment in Cornell's student health insurance plan.

Criteria

This fellowship is designed to enable graduate students to conduct field and archival research focused on Europe for an extended period (4-8 months). To be eligible, applicants must have completed the "A" exam in their department or have an exam date scheduled prior to submitting their application and have a dissertation project approved by their dissertation committee.

• Quality of the research proposal in a social science field
• Validity and feasibility of the applicant’s research project
• Research and professional qualifications
• Strength of the student’s academic performance and letters of recommendation

Requirements

• 8-10 page project proposal (double-spaced) with bibliography
• 2 letters of recommendation

Contact IES with questions about this award.

Details

The Susan Tarrow Fellowship for Research in Europe was established in 2005 in honor of the associate director of the Institute for European Studies from 1985-2005. One of Tarrow's priorities was to establish funding to enable Cornell undergraduate students to pursue summer field research in Europe and to provide them with the intellectual and practical advising they need at all stages of their projects.

Undergraduate students from all fields of study are invited to submit applications to pursue research projects focused on Europe. In light of Tarrow’s passion for France and Italy, students planning a project in those countries are particularly encouraged to apply, though the fellowship is open to all Europeanists.

Requirements

• 4-5 page project proposal (double-spaced) with bibliography
• Budget listing estimated costs for airfare, lodging, food, etc.
• 1 letter of recommendation from Cornell Faculty
• Transcript 

The winner will receive up to $4,000 in funding, distributed through their bursar account.

Contact IES with questions about this award.

Details

This graduate research grant honors the memory of Manon Michels Einaudi, a Cornell faculty wife and mother. One award is given each year for graduate research in a field close to Mrs. Einaudi's interests: European art and architecture, art history, literature, philosophy, and culture. 

Graduate students in those fields whose research is in Europe and who are recommended by their faculty committee are eligible.

The primary aim of the Manon Einaudi Grant is to help Cornell doctoral candidates explore possible topics or otherwise launch their dissertation work, although applications from students whose dissertations are already in progress may also be considered if funding is available.  

Criteria

• The quality and feasibility of the applicant's research proposal
• Evidence that funded research focused on Europe will advance the applicant’s doctoral program
• Applicant's academic performance and qualifications to complete the proposed project
• Strength of the applicant's letters of recommendation

Requirements

• 4-5 page project proposal (double-spaced) with bibliography
• Project budget
• 1 letter of recommendation

Winners receive up to $4,000 in funding, distributed through their bursar account. The Manon Michels Einaudi Grant competition is conducted together with the IES Graduate Research Grant and Michele Sicca Grant competitions. Candidates submit a single application and are automatically considered for each of the awards.

Contact IES with questions about this award.

Details

The Michele Sicca Research Grant was created by the late Mario Einaudi, Goldwin Smith Professor of International and Comparative Politics and former director of the Center for International Studies. Michele Sicca was an antifascist physician with whom Einaudi worked in exile during the Mussolini period.

The primary aim of the Sicca grant program is to help Cornell doctoral candidates explore possible research topics in European studies or otherwise launch their dissertation work via preliminary summer fieldwork in Europe. Applications from advanced doctoral students for completion of Europe-related dissertations may also be considered if funding is available. 

Criteria

• The quality and feasibility of the applicant's Europe-focused research proposal
• Evidence that field research in Europe will advance the applicant’s doctoral program
• Applicant's academic performance and qualifications to complete the proposed project
• Strength of the applicant's letters of recommendation

Requirements

• 4-5 page project proposal (double-spaced) with bibliography
• Project budget
• 1 letter of recommendation

Winners receive up to $4,000 in funding, distributed through their bursar account. The Michele Sicca Grant competition is conducted together with the IES Graduate Research Grant and Manon Michels Einaudi Grant competitions. Candidates submit a single application and are automatically considered for each of the awards.

Contact IES with questions about this award.

Details

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 leadership development, a summer abroad putting your skills into action, and research, this two-year cohort program for emerging leaders lays out a path for you to invest your skills, knowledge, and experience to make global change. Learn more about the program and its global reach on the Laidlaw Foundation website.

The Program

Leadership Training

Learn about your unique leadership strengths, further develop your skills through critical reflection, and prepare to encounter difference from a creative and mindful place.

Leadership-in-Action

Develop a six-week independent leadership-in-action project contributing to a community-based project in an international setting. We'll help you identify an international organization where you can learn from real-world leaders enacting change in their communities and beyond.

Networking

Meet like-minded scholars who are passionate about Laidlaw's shared values—ethical leadership, global perspective, and research with a real-world impact. The international network of Laidlaw scholars extends beyond Cornell to a global community that shares an online collaboration space.

Research

Work on an internationally focused research project with the support of a faculty mentor and/or an experienced research team during your second summer. We'll help you find a project and a faculty mentor!

Award

Summer 1: Up to $3,900 stipend for living expenses during your leadership-in-action experience, plus up to $1,950 stipend for international travel expenses.

Summer 2: Up to $3,900 stipend while you conduct full-time research in Ithaca.

Eligibility

First- and second-year students from any college or major may apply. 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. 

In order to be eligible for program funding, scholars must commit to all components of the program. Upon acceptance, scholars will be required to sign a commitment form. These expectations and important upcoming dates are outlined below. If you have any questions about what full commitment to the program entails, please contact us at laidlaw.scholars@cornell.edu 

How to Apply

Apply by January 12, 2026 using the link below. Students who are selected to become Laidlaw scholars are notified by March 1.

Documents to Submit with Your Application

• Short Answer Questions
• Leadership-in-Action Reflection Question
• Resume/CV (2 page maximum, upload as PDF)
• Copy of your passport. If you do not have one or if it will expire before February 2027, apply for a passport now.
• At least one reference who can submit a letter of recommendation

Questions? 

Contact our Laidlaw coordinator.