Benefits of the Laidlaw Programme and How to Apply

The Laidlaw Leadership and Research Programme uniquely funds both a research experience and leadership development for undergraduates. It invests in talented and motivated undergraduate students, giving them the knowledge, skills and experience to become active global citizens and future leaders.

Applications for the 2023 Laidlaw Programme open on 1^st December 2022.

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If you are interested in applying for the Laidlaw Leadership and Research Programme 2023 please ensure that:

1. You will be based at the University of Leeds during 2023-24
2. You are a first year undergraduate student 

As the programme is merit-based, you are eligible to apply for it even if you are already in receipt of a scholarship from the University of Leeds.

If you have any questions regarding your eligibility for the programme, please email the Laidlaw Programme Administrator (UGResearch@leeds.ac.uk) in the first instance.

Please note: students studying the following programmes are not eligible to apply for the Laidlaw Leadership and Research Programme:

• MBChB Medicine and Surgery -  these students should instead apply to EXSEL@Leeds
• 2-year LLB Law senior status/conversion course - due to the shortened nature of the programme, these students would not be able to complete all the compulsory programme elements, which are staged over two summers.

Application Process

Support is available to help you with your application during the application period.

Information sessions and drop-in sessions are scheduled throughout the application period. Please see details below.

If you are unable to attend the Information Sessions, please see the presentation slides.

Step One: Think about and decide what you would prefer your Leadership in Action period to be (this will help with identifying a research project)

Step Two: Identify a research project you would like to participate in. There are two options available:

Option 1

If you have an original research project proposal you need to discuss it with a potential academic supervisor who can support you through the project. You will need to design the project with consideration to your Leadership in Action Period. All projects should be designed to produce real world impact, beyond research outcomes; or begin a process of so-doing.

If you have defined a project yourself, you will need to write a short research project proposal explaining why the project interests you, why you are interested in the leadership programme, and what qualities and experience you have which will make you successful in completing both. You will also need to agree and confirm the support of your academic research project supervisor, who will need to complete a statement of support for the research project and your suitability for the scholarship.

You will also need to consider whether ethical review is needed for your proposed project. The university’s ethical review process takes around 6 weeks to be completed, so you will need to discuss the ethical issues with your supervisor and allow enough time for this process before your research period begins. Ethical review is needed for all research with ethical implications, for example research involving human participants or personal data. All relevant information and ethical review forms can be found here.

Option 2

Review the list of predefined research projects and decide which one you would like to participate in (you can only apply for the ones based in your faculty) and then discuss your potential application with the project supervisor.

There are options for applicants to apply to pre-defined projects in collaboration with the Laidlaw Foundation. These projects will be open to applications from all universities in the Laidlaw network and each offer distinct opportunities to engage with Laidlaw Foundation partner organisations in the UK. Some of these projects will also incorporate a built-in leadership in action option for Summer 2. Applicants will be competing with students from across the Laidlaw Network for these opportunities. If you are interested in one of these projects please contact Rebecca Shaw r.l.shaw@adm.leeds.ac.uk prior to your application.

If applying for a predefined project you will need to explain why the project interests you, why you are interested in the leadership programme, and what qualities and experience you have which will make you successful in completing both. You will also need a statement from your personal tutor or academic representative on your suitability for the programme.

Step three: Complete the online application form. Applications for 2023 open on 1^st December 2022.

Step Four:

Create a short video, telling us which Laidlaw value you believe best describes you, and provide an example of when this has been impactful. The video should be up to two minutes in length and you should be creative!

Step Five: Submit the application

Shortlisted candidates will be asked to attend an interview.

Scholars will be selected based the strength of evidence/potential provided for the following:

• The student’s potential and ambition for leadership roles in the future
• The viability of the research project within given timescales
• The extent to which the student can envisage how their research could be applied or what impact it can have
• The Research Supervisor’s supporting statement