Cornell University has opened applications for the next group of Laidlaw scholars, a two-year program that pairs undergraduate research with a six-week international leadership project. First- and second-year students can learn more at an Oct. 20 information session or meet current participants at an Oct. 28 research showcase.
Cornell’s Mario Einaudi Center for International Studies administers the program, which has trained 80 students since 2021. According to a Cornell announcement, participants spend their first summer on an international research project with faculty mentorship. They may propose a project or join an established research team.
In the second summer, scholars spend six weeks working with an international organization or on a project they design with a community partner. Cornell said previous participants have worked on sustainable development in Tanzania, social-service connections in Greece and nonprofit projects supporting rural and Indigenous women in Mexico.
The program also provides leadership training throughout the two years and connects scholars with a network at 22 other universities in the United States, United Kingdom and elsewhere. The announcement does not specify an application deadline, award amount or eligibility rules beyond the year in school; students should confirm those details with the Einaudi Center before applying.
Research can extend beyond graduation
Desai Wang, a 2024 Cornell architecture graduate, researched ways to reduce the effects of extreme heat in cities while working with architecture professor Timur DoÄŸan. She later pursued a Fulbright research fellowship in Singapore, where she interviewed transit users about station signs. Wang now works in digital product design and user research.
Cornell has added two faculty fellows to the Laidlaw program: Beth Lyon, a clinical professor at Cornell Law School, and Johannes Haushofer, a professor of economics and public policy. They will mentor scholars and help connect them with research and leadership opportunities.
The Oct. 28 International Research Showcase will give prospective applicants a chance to talk with current scholars about their work, Cornell said. Students can also contact the Einaudi Center’s Laidlaw coordinator for application information.
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