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 program for emerging leaders lays out a path for you to invest your skills, knowledge, and experience to help others. Learn more about the program and its global reach on the Laidlaw Foundation website.

The Program's Key Components

1. Leadership Training

Leadership training is an essential component of the program that continues throughout your time as a Laidlaw scholar. You’ll learn core leadership values and skills that include how to be a global citizen, prioritize collective action and critical reflection, and meaningfully engage with your community. 

2. Leadership-in-Action Experience

Spend your summer abroad to gain intercultural competency, learn from mentors in the field, and reflect on your role as a leader and researcher in creating a better world. You will be able to choose from a variety of options: 

1. Placement at a partner NGO with a cohort of your fellow Laidlaw scholars learning from real-world leaders and exploring how these organizations are enacting change in their communities and beyond.
2. Apply to a Laidlaw central leadership program. Through the Central Laidlaw projects, Cornell scholars have worked on community health promotion in Fiji, human rights issues in Zambia, climate change in Mexico, and conservation education in Uganda. 

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

3. Networking

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.

4. Research

You will spend a summer as a Laidlaw scholar working on campus on an internationally-focused research project that is supervised by a faculty member or an experienced research team. Your work is supported by a weekly stipend. 

We support you in finding a research project with an international focus and faculty mentor for your second summer of the program. 

Award

Summer 1: Program fees or stipend while you engage in an international leadership-in-action experience. Additional support is available for travel or research-related expenses.  

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

Eligibility

First- and second-year students from any college or major may apply. We are looking for students who seek to be globally engaged citizens, ethical leaders, and internationally focused researchers. 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 by March 14, 2025. 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

Applications are open! The deadline to apply is January 31, 2025 using the link below. Students who are selected to become Laidlaw scholars are notified by March 15.

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 2026, apply for a passport now.
• At least one reference who can submit a letter of recommendation

Contact our Laidlaw coordinator with any questions. 

Details

The Michael J. Harum Memorial Award for Students of Slavic Languages was established with generous contributions from Michael's family, the Institute for European Studies, and many others who loved and respected this extraordinary man.

The purpose of the award is to support Cornell undergraduates while they continue their language studies in countries where Slavic languages are spoken or while they do research in these countries. In a typical year, funding for this award is used for international summer travel.

Funding Options

• 2-3 week project at 20-40 hours per week = $1,500 - $2,500 
• 4-6 week project at 20-40 hours per week = $2,500 - $3,500 

Funding will be distributed through bursar accounts to be made available for use in Summer 2025.

Requirements

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

Contact IES with questions about this award.

Details

Established in 1993 with a generous bequest from the estate of Cornell alumnus and trustee, Frederic Conger Wood, these fellowships support undergraduate research in Europe.

Undergraduates from all colleges are invited to submit applications to pursue research projects or internships focused on Europe. In a typical year, during the summer, Conger Wood Fellows spend 2-8 weeks of field study in Europe and upon their return write up the results of their research. These fellowships can be combined with projects in connection to attending Cornell summer courses taught in Europe.

Application deadline for Winter Break travel: December 1, 2024

Application deadline for Summer travel: March 9, 2025

Funding Guidelines

• 2-3 week project at 20-40 hours per week = $1,500 - $2,500 
• 4-8 week project at 20-40 hours per week = $2,500 - $4,000

Funding will be distributed through bursar accounts.

Requirements

• 4-5 page project proposal (double-spaced) with bibliography
• Budget (identify the level of funding requested using the options above, and list your estimated costs for airfare, lodging, food, etc.)
• 1 letter of recommendation
• Transcript 

Contact IES with questions about this award.

Details

The Department of Asian Studies provides funding for travel and living expenses for the study, service, or research, in an Asian country.

Students receiving grants are responsible for managing all aspects of their trip including:

• Making their own travel itinerary.
• Arranging travel and accommodations.
• Managing their own budgets.

At the end of the travel recipients must provide documentation of travel and submit a 3-5-page report summarizing the language and cultural experiences. 

Eligibility

Applicants may be from any college or major; their proposed project must relate to their area of study.

Applicants should have a strong cumulative GPA, a well-articulated project, and submit an appropriate budget. 

Priority will be given to students who:

• have completed 2 years of language work in the relevant language prior to the intended travel;
• have no prior travel experience in the area of travel;
• and are Asian Studies majors or minors.

Awardees must be enrolled at Cornell in the semester following travel.

How to Apply

Applicants must also complete an application form, and provide the following:

• a 1500-word proposal about the plan of study or service or research (consisting of the title of the project, project summary, project detail, a detailed project timeline, and a detailed budget);
• a list of the current Academic Year Fall and Spring courses;
• two letters of academic recommendation, one from a language teacher (preferably of a language relevant to proposal) emailed to asianstudiesdus@cornell.edu*,
• letter of recommendation from host institution if you are doing a service project emailed to asianstudiesdus@cornell.edu*.

To apply for a travel grant, or to ask for more information, contact Erin Kotmel, undergraduate coordinator for the Department of Asian Studies. You can also find more information in the travel grant frequently asked questions.

Details

Hoping to learn a new language this summer?

SEAP offers one qualified undergraduate student a chance to win a full scholarship to intensively study a Southeast Asian language for eight full weeks at the University of Wisconsin in Madison. This scholarship is intended for beginners; no prior instruction in or knowledge of any Southeast Asian language is necessary.

SEASSI is an eight-week intensive language training program, offering a chance to jump-start your language learning experience. Each language course is equivalent to two semesters of study, with full academic year credit.

Learn more about SEASSI.

If you plan on attending SEASSI using a SEAP SEASSI Language Scholarship, please note that you must ALSO apply directly to SEASSI. The priority application deadline for SEASSI is March 15, 2025.

Amount

A full scholarship covering the cost of tuition at SEASSI, plus a stipend and/or travel funding may be available

Eligibility

No prior language experience required

How to Apply

Please use the “Apply” button below to create and submit an application using the Einaudi Center Funding Application website (Cornell NetID login required).

Required materials include:

• Statement of Purpose (academic background, career goals, other qualifications)
• Letters of recommendation

Questions?

Please direct any questions to SEAP Program Manager Colin Peterson at crp88@cornell.edu.

Details

Eligibility

The language study grant is open to Cornell graduate and undergraduate students.

EAP East Asian Language Study Grant can be used either at Cornell or another institution. The grant provides program fees and a stipend for intensive language study of an East Asian language. The grant is similar to a Summer FLAS award, but can also be used during the academic year.

There are no citizenship restrictions for the EAP Area Studies Fellowships or the Language Study Grant.

Application Guidelines

It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure the timely submission of the following materials by the application deadline. Incomplete files and materials received after the deadline may not be considered.

1. Online application: All required information on the application and a project proposal (.doc or .pdf file upload) that includes project budget (estimated costs of program and living expenses), program information and justification where applicable, statement of purpose, proposed courses of studies where applicable.
2. Two letters of recommendation (including one from a current language instructor): Please note, you are responsible for contacting your recommenders to request a letter of recommendation, and for the letters being received by the application deadline.

The project title should start with the applicant's surname (e.g., "Lee") and be descriptive of the course of study/research proposed (e.g., "fall semester document research at Tsinghua University").

• The project abstract should start with "East Asian Language Study Grant." The abstract should give a short but concise summary of what the applicant proposes to do if awarded a language study grant. The first paragraph should summarize what, when, where, how, and why. If the project is to take courses at Cornell or elsewhere, the project abstract should say so and give an idea of what types of courses. In the case of a research project away from Cornell, the project abstract should state where and when this research will take place. Applicants are expected to outline the expected costs of their project within their application proposal. 
• If you plan to use the grant somewhere other than Cornell, please include a budget for your project in the project abstract. 
• The full project proposal should not exceed five pages or 1,500 words. and should include a title with the name of the applicant and the title of the project. The opening paragraph of the proposal should include a summary description of the proposed activities and their significance to the applicant's graduate career.
• Online applications can be saved and edited anytime up to the deadline. Do not forget to submit your final application. Students will no longer be able to edit their application after the deadline. Applicants will see all of their applications on their dashboard, which will also indicate when recommendations have been completed.

FAQs

Details

The Fulbright U.S. Student Program sends U.S. citizens to more than 160 countries to study, research, and teach English abroad. With a unique focus on mutual understanding between people of different backgrounds and cultures, the program offers the freedom to curate your experience as you engage with your host community.  

The Einaudi Center provides counseling, essay feedback, and application support to help your Fulbright application succeed, even if you are preparing your application at a distance as a study abroad student or recent graduate. Our Fulbright advisor offers guidance throughout the year and hosts info sessions about Fulbright opportunities each semester.  

Fulbright Facts

Cornell University is a Fulbright Top Producing Institution. One in four Cornell applicants wins an award. The national average is only one in six. This is how Cornell has sent over 500 students across the globe as part of the Fulbright U.S. Student Program since the 1940s.

Fulbrighters from Cornell have traveled to more than one hundred countries, studying topics ranging from court efficiency in Zambia to gender-based inequalities in India. Many have taught English abroad and attended international graduate programs in other languages.

Application Opens

March 31, 2025

Deadline

August 22, 2025

Eligibility

United States citizens in any field of study are eligible. In addition, you must fulfill one of the following criteria:

• You will graduate with a bachelor’s degree from Cornell before September of the award year.
• You are currently a Cornell graduate student.
• You are a young professional who graduated from Cornell within the past five years.

Day in the Life: U.S. Student Program

How to Apply 

Cornell applicants must apply through the Cornell Fulbright Program, managed by the Einaudi Center. Reach out to our Fulbright advisor to get started. We provide counseling, essay reviews, and application support to all applicants, including study abroad students and alumni, for every type of application. 

Details

Achieve language fluency with the help of a Foreign Language and Area Studies (FLAS) fellowship. You’ll gain valuable knowledge about cultures and countries in which your language is commonly used, while developing skills in a language critical to the needs of the United States. 

The Einaudi Center’s South Asia Program and Southeast Asia Program are U.S. Department of Education National Resource Centers. Only NRCs may offer FLAS fellowships, which we offer in South Asian and Southeast Asian languages.

Deadlines

• Academic year: Apply by March 31, 2025
• Summer: Apply by February 19, 2025 (closed—decisions pending)

Amount

• Graduate academic year: $20,000, plus a tuition allowance of $18,000.
• Undergraduate academic year: $5,000, plus a tuition allowance of $10,000.
• Summer (graduate or undergraduate): $3,500, plus fees and tuition allowance of up to $5,000. 

Eligibility

Graduate and undergraduate students are eligible. You must fulfill the following requirements:  

• Be a citizen or permanent resident of the United States.
• Complete a FAFSA prior to the FLAS deadline. 

To be a successful applicant, you need to show potential for high academic achievement and agree to pursue full-time study of a language in accordance with the university’s requirements. You also need to demonstrate that you meet the necessary language training requirements. (Lowest priority will be given to a candidate who is a native speaker of the language for which an award is sought.)  

Academic year fellowships for undergraduates are offered in South Asia Program languages only. The fellowship may be used overseas only if you receive prior approval from the U.S. Department of Education to enroll in an advanced program established by a U.S. institution.

Fellowship Terms

• Enroll in a South/Southeast Asian language course and a three or more credit South/Southeast Asian Area Studies Course during both the Fall and Spring semesters.
• Doctoral candidates can qualify for a "Dissertation Research Abroad" or "Dissertation Writing at Home" award, as long as they are at an advanced level in a South/Southeast Asian language and will be intensely engaging with that language in their research or writing.

How to Apply

You may apply for both fellowship periods by submitting two applications. In your application, please indicate the language level you intend to study during the award period. 

Apply to SAP: FLAS

Apply to SEAP: FLAS