Eligibility
I am not a student at Murray Edwards, Trinity Hall, Fitzwilliam, or Newnham. Can I still apply? - No. The programme is currently only open to members of these four colleges. We are unable to make exceptions.
Does it matter which Faculty I belong to? The programme is open to all fields of study and research disciplines. Provided they are members of one of the four Laidlaw colleges, students of all faculties and departments are eligible to apply.
Is the programme open to postgraduate students? No. The programme is only open to undergraduates.
I want to do the summer research project, but I can’t attend the other parts of the programme. Can I still apply? Scholars are expected to attend all parts of the eighteen-month programme. You should not apply if you know you are unable to fulfil the commitments outlined here.
I don’t have any research or leadership experience. Can I still apply? Prior experience is not expected and the programme is designed to train you in these areas. You not only can but should apply.
Applications
How will my application be assessed? Applications are reviewed in three stages:
Applications are reviewed and ranked by representatives of each of the four colleges. Reviewers will usually not review applications from their own college.
Shortlisted applicants are called for interview and ranked within their college groups.
A final selection is made, and applicants are notified of the outcome.
Applications are reviewed according to the following criteria:
- Whether the proposed research project can reasonably be completed within the six-week summer period and without access to monies beyond the stipend and additional funding provided
- The applicant’s potential and ambition for leadership roles in the future.
- The ability of the applicant to explain the potential impact of their research.
- The applicant’s commitment to ethical leadership.
- The strength of the reference from the applicant’s Director of Studies.
Success rates may vary within the colleges depending on how many applications each receives.
How do I find a Research Supervisor?
- Ask your DoS, lecturers, supervisors, colleagues in their second and third years, etc., who they recommend.
- Consult the A-Z of Cambridge Schools, Faculties, and Departments: https://www.cam.ac.uk/colleges-and-departments/department-a-z
- Search using the University lookup service (requires Raven log-in): https://help.uis.cam.ac.uk/service/collaboration/lookup
When will I find out if my application has been successful? Applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application before April 1st.
Can I apply again if I’m unsuccessful the first time? The programme is only open to undergraduates with at least two full summers before graduation, so, unless you are enrolled in four or more year courses, you will not be able to apply a second time.
Can I join an already established research project within the University or use the same project as my optional dissertation? Your proposed projects must be unique, of your own design, and led by you. You should absolutely not use or re-use any work you have already done or plan to submit as part of your regular degree programme. Similarly, it’s unlikely that an established project would allow you the scope to design a project that meets these requirements, but you may find it possible to design a standalone component that contributes to a project that is already underway. You should make it very clear in your proposal how your project is unique, designed by you, and led by you.
Does my Research Supervisor have to be a fellow of my home college? No! Your Research Supervisor can be affiliated with any college, faculty, department, centre, or institution within the University of Cambridge. They should be sufficiently credentialed to supervise your project but depending on your field they may not be a fellow of a college at all (an established archivist, library or museum professional, or educator would also qualify). This is a great opportunity to add a cross-disciplinary element to your existing interests! Branching out is encouraged but if the best person to supervise your work happens to be close to home, that’s fine too.
Does my research project have to be related to my degree programme? No
Funding
Will I have to pay fees to participate? Is funding means tested? How much funding will I receive? There are no fees associated with participation in the Laidlaw Programme and funding is not means tested. Each Laidlaw Scholar is guaranteed a stipend of £3000 for each of the two summer projects (or a total stipend of £6000). There is some additional funding available to offset travel and research expenses. All costs associated with leadership training and workshops are paid for by the Laidlaw Foundation, as are a small number of social and networking events put on for the Laidlaw Scholars.
How will I receive the stipend? When is it paid out? Scholar stipends are disbursed by each home college Bursary and as such the timing and structure of the payments may vary. Scholars can expect to receive their funds before and/or during their first and second summer project periods. There is some additional funding available to offset travel and research expenses (such as flights, vaccinations, visas, etc.) that can be accessed in advance through the Laidlaw Administrator housed at Newnham College.
Will I be provided with accommodation during the summer? Unless they are conducting their research abroad, Laidlaw Scholars are expected to be in residence in Cambridge during their six-week research project. We aim to arrange housing within your home college but arrangements may vary, so you should be prepared to find your own accommodation. Some Leadership-in-Action experiences will either provide or arrange housing for you, whereas some will require that you arrange your own. In either case, your £3000 stipend will offset the cost of room and board.
Programme Details
What time commitment is involved? Will the programme be too much alongside my studies?The programme has been designed not to interfere with your academics. The largest time commitment takes place outside of term time, during the long vacations. You will, however, be expected to participate in a small number of workshops and social activities in term time.
I plan to do an internship or take a job over the summer. Can I still participate in the programme?The research and leadership projects take place over six weeks in the long vacation and are full-time and fully funded. You may not work or do an internship in tandem with these projects. We would encourage you to rest for what remains of your summer holidays, but you are by no means barred from using that time to take up an internship or a summer job.
Are the dates of the summer projects flexible? The summer one research period takes place in the six weeks immediately following the end of Easter term and requires that you be in residence in Cambridge. There may be some (limited) flexibility possible on a case-by-case basis, but you should plan to take part during the set dates. The Leadership-in-Action experiences that take place in the second summer offer considerable flexibility, depending on which option you choose.