The Laidlaw Scholars Leadership & Research Programme

Pairing innovation with leadership excellence through its new home at the King’s E-Lab, The Laidlaw Scholars Leadership and Research Programme is a fully-funded programme that invests in the next generation of global citizens.

What is the Laidlaw Programme?

Are you ready to conduct impactful research, develop your unique leadership skills, and make a difference—all fully funded?

Now in its new home at King’s E-Lab, the Laidlaw Foundation Leadership & Research Programme at Cambridge University is dedicated to nurturing the next generation of leaders. The partnership between the E-Lab and the Laidlaw Programme brings a dynamic fusion of innovation and entrepreneurship, strengthening the programme’s commitment to data-driven decision-making and leadership rooted in integrity.

It does not matter what discipline you come from; we welcome aspiring leaders from all subjects and backgrounds.

If you are a motivated undergraduate student eager to grow, read on to find out more about becoming a #LaidlawScholar and gaining the knowledge, skills, and experience needed to become an active global citizen and a leader in your field. 

How is it structured?

There are six key components to the Laidlaw Scholar experience. Click the headings below to find out more.

  • Undertake funded experience in a challenging environment where you can implement and hone your leadership skills while meeting likeminded people.

    This is an opportunity to deliver impact-driven work in your local community or target sector and thinking creatively about your desired project and output is highly encouraged.

    To read about some previous Leadership in Action experiences, click here.

  • Embark on a six-week international research adventure that challenges you to step beyond academia and your comfort zone, collaborating in a small, interdisciplinary team on a globally relevant project designed to make real-world impact and expand your horizons.

    You will have the opportunity to nurture your research skills, with the project culminating in a publication and conference presentation.

    To discover some previous examples of research projects, click here.

  • From a leadership retreat to bespoke courses designed to bring out the best in you as a team player and motivator, learn core leadership skills and explore leadership values through experience and applied exercises.

  • Through workshops and reflection, develop the character traits that the Oxford Charcter Project has established through extensive data studies to be essential for ethical leadership:

    • purpose

    • love

    • growth

    • humility

    • wisdom.

  • Join a truly global network of scholars from across the world, digitally and in person.

  • Attend the Annual Conference, set in various locations around the world, to learn from inspiring keynote speakers, undertake practical workshops, present your research, and meet your fellow cohort.

    The weekend culminates with a celebratory formal dinner.

    The dates for 2026:

    Imperial, London: 16-18 October
    NYU, New York: 6-8th November

Is the Laidlaw Scholarship for You?

Yes! If you want to:

  • Conduct your own research

  • Recieve a generous stipend

  • Meet a global network of likeminded people

  • Stretch yourself in domestic and international contexts

  • Become a real-world leader

  • And grow your own venture

What are the commitments?

The Laidlaw programme is designed so that most elements take place during the holidays, with a few leadership workshops also scheduled during evenings each term. This is intended to minimally interfere with your academic work. The main in-person commitments each year are listed in the programme below.

Attendance of all core elements is a compulsory requirement of the programme, unless you have an academic commitment which immediately clashes with a session. The workshops have been carefully designed to be interactive and fun, so we hope they will provide a welcome respite from any term-time stresses!

How do you apply?

The Laidlaw Programme is housed at King’s E-Lab but is open to all undergraduates in their first year of study*across the 29 undergraduate colleges.

Applications are now open! Please complete the application form below if you are interested in becoming a Laidlaw Scholar.

*If you are studying a four year course, second years are also able to apply with their eligibility assessed on a case-by-case basis.

As part of the application, you will be asked:

  • To provide a short letter of support from your Director of Studies (DoS)

  • To upload a CV

  • To provide four long-form answers of up to 150 words explaining your ambition and potential as a leader.

Applications will be assessed on leadership potential, alignment with Laidlaw values, academic readiness, and commitment to social and ethical responsibility.

The deadline for applications has now been extended to the 27th of January 2026.

Programme Overview:

You will also be expected to attend 6 sessions of the Oxford Character Project's ethical leadership training, held online.

Apply Now!
More Information

To find out more about the Laidlaw Foundation and its ongoing commitment to educational equity and investing in leadership, see our recent fireside chat with Susanna Kempe, CEO of the Laidlaw Foundation.

If you have any questions about applications or the content of the programme, please direct these to the Laidlaw Coordinator.

We will also be hosting an online information session at 5pm on 23 January for those wishing to find out more about the programme.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Absolutely not! Laidlaw Scholars come from a fantastic variety of disciplines, ranging from Art to Engineering; Film to Neuroscience.

  • You are encouraged to proactively identify opportunities that align best with your interests, values, and career goals, but the Laidlaw team can also help you. The Leadership in Action component will take place locally in the UK.

  • No! Although the programme is housed at King’s College, it is open to all 29 undergraduate colleges.

  • Yes. The programme is open to first year undergraduates. Second years on four-year courses are also able to apply, with their eligibility assessed on a case-by-case basis. Please note that scholars are expected to attend in-person training sessions held in Cambridge throughout both years of the programme.

  • No. The research element of the programme will be undertaken in small, interdisciplinary groups. While your research ideas are welcomed, you don’t need to already have an individual project planned out.

  • The International Group Research project is a six-week project that enables you to collaborate in a small, interdisciplinary team on a globally relevant project.

  • Yes! There will be an online information session taking place at 5pm on 23 January. You can find out more about the programme and ask questions. Register for the information session here.

  • The programme is now being housed at King’s e-Lab (having previously been at Murray Edwards, Newnham, Trinity Hall and Fitzwilliam Colleges) in a new partnership. This is not, however, a business specific programme and we welcome aspiring leaders in all disciplines. It does not matter which of the 29 undergraduate colleges you apply from; all are eligible.

  • No - the Laidlaw Programme is open to all eligble students irrespective of nationality or fee status.

  • The Laidlaw Coordinator - lucy.rogers@kings.cam.ac.uk

  • Tuesday 27 January 2026.