What is this programme about?
The Laidlaw Scholars Leadership & Research Programme takes a holistic approach to developing your potential and accelerating your growth as an ethical leader for positive impact. This two-year programme, available to first-year undergraduate students across all departments, is about you and your development and preparation for the future. It’s your unique opportunity to develop leadership and research experience and skills beyond your academic studies through practical training and reflection.
Building on LSE’s expertise in social sciences, you will learn to analyse and address wicked problems while reflecting on leadership as a complex and multi-faceted concept. You will have the opportunity to think about and discuss questions of ethical leadership and integrity, explore your individual understanding of leadership and leadership identity, and reflect on the contributions you would like to make as a graduate.
The LSE Laidlaw Scholars Leadership and Research Programme will help you develop within the dimensions set out in the Laidlaw Foundation’s 3C Leadership Model which aim to empower you to grow as a global citizen and ethical leader. You will bring your training and skills together over two summers; in the first summer you will lead on a project within a UK-based organisation (Leadership in Action), in the second you will carry out an interdisciplinary group research project in Continental Europe.
How does it work?
The programme takes place over the first two years of your undergraduate degree and is fully funded. For your successful participation in year 1 and year 2 you will receive a stipend of up to £3,000 in each year (that is, a stipend worth £6,000 for the entire programme). In addition, you will also have an allowance of up to £1,800 to cover any travel and project expenses (mostly for the research project in year 2), which are paid retrospectively when satisfactory proof of purchase is provided. Please carefully read the section “Your commitment as an LSE Laidlaw Scholar” below for more details.
Each year has a specific focus:
In the first year, you will undergo an immersive, six-week (full-time, on site) Leadership-in-Action experience within a UK-based organisation. This will take place in the summer break between your first and second year of study (late June up until the middle of September).
This six-week, work-based learning experience will allow you to lead on a project, where you will gain valuable, transferrable, real-world experience that aligns with your goals and interests. You will develop relevant, practical leadership skills, that extend beyond your programme of study, and will be able to evidence tangible impact as a result of your project work. All LiA placements are subject to approval by LSE Careers and LSE Laidlaw in advance of commencement.
In order to meet the project requirements, your chosen organisation must:
- Be based in the UK
- Be community-driven, focus on sustainable impact and align with at least one UN SDG
- Take you out of your comfort zone and provide growth opportunities that you are receptive to
- Align with the Laidlaw Foundation’s project requirements - see the Leadership in Action Framework
- Meet the LSE health and safety and ethical practices requirements AND be approved by LSE Careers by Monday, 3 May 2027
All scholars are responsible for sourcing their own opportunities, which will happen in two phases:
Phase 1: Self-sourced placements
Scholars can actively approach organisations of interest and negotiate a provisional project. This is shared with LSE Careers, who will then contact the organisation and if the project is approved, will create a tripartite agreement between the scholar, the organisation and LSE Careers. If it is not approved, scholars will need to source another placement or take the supported sourcing option below – please allow plenty of time as this process can take months to complete.
This phase will open on Wednesday, 20 January 2027 (but you can start looking as soon as onboarding is completed) and a provisional placement must be shared with LSE Careers by Monday, 22 March 2027.
Phase 2: Supported sourcing of placement
LSE Careers and LSE Laidlaw will work together to put a ‘pool’ of organisations on MyCareer who have expressed an interest in hosting an LSE Laidlaw Scholar. Scholars can approach these organisations and agree on projects, which can then be shared with LSE Careers for approval. Please note this is something we offer as a goodwill gesture, and is subject to response from mail merge. We cannot guarantee places will be available and scholars are still responsible for owning their own project.
Phase 2 will open as soon as we have received and approved offers from employers; this usually happens from March and continues to be added to until the end of April. This round will close on Monday, 3 May 2027. Please note that LSE does not offer central projects through the Laidlaw Foundation.
During this project and placement sourcing process, you will have access to the following support:
- Signposting to organisations known to be interested in hosting LSE Laidlaw Scholars
- Training on how to source your placement
- Drop-in sessions provided by LSE Laidlaw and LSE Careers
- One-to-one sessions to support you with your personal and professional development and/or any individual needs or barriers
- Contact with scholars who may have completed their LiA with organisations of interest (subject to consent)
As part of the programme during the first year, you will attend five days (equivalent of three full days) of mandatory leadership training and we will check in with you over the summer to ensure you have support throughout your LiA experience.
This is what some Laidlaw Scholars from previous cohorts said about their experience:
“The Laidlaw programme has been the single most valuable thing I've done at LSE so far. The LiA gave me something I didn't have when I started: clarity. I came in without a real sense of what I wanted to do, and I'm leaving having decided I want to work in consulting. It also let me apply what Laidlaw teaches somewhere with big social impact, at an organisation working to get students from lower socioeconomic backgrounds into opportunities they'd otherwise miss, where I was both a member of staff and someone the platform had helped.”
Alyssa Moniz (2026 Cohort), Zero Gravity
“To call the past six weeks life-changing seems like a cliché, yet trying to concisely define it with any other adjective feels entirely inadequate. I must admit that upon starting my Leadership in Action project I was not expecting anything ground-breaking. While the Wilderness Foundation ticks all my boxes, and being a part of the Laidlaw programme itself was exciting, I suppose I underestimated my capacity for growth and development in the span of only six weeks.”
Madi Judkins, The Wilderness Foundation
In the second year, you will conduct a fully-funded six-week, interdisciplinary, international group research project. You will gain an extended period of international experience immersed in a culture that is new to you (at least 4 weeks abroad). This project will take place in summer break between your second and third year of study (late June to early September unless approval is given to start earlier).
You will gain first-hand research experience while deepening your knowledge and reflection in the field of leadership. You will be working in a team with other Laidlaw Scholars and a group research supervisor toward agreed goals whilst developing your collaborative leadership skills, producing a research paper that may be published (subject to review) within the LSE Laidlaw Scholars Journal!
Groupwork essentials
How the group gathers data must be agreed between the group, supervisor and programme manager as far in advance as possible. Groups may split to gather data from different locations, but you will be working as a team and should all know what is going on at all times. Therefore, developing your project management skills is an integral part of this process and research must not start before the steps below have been completed:
- Group formation and topic selection facilitated and agreed with supervisors in Autumn Term.
- Research proposal is finalised and submitted with a comprehensive group project plan (mid-March)
- Research proposal and plan are approved by the group supervisor and programme manager and groups apply for visas and LSE travel approval (deadline for visa applications is around late April).
- Research plan is finalised, visas and travel approval confirmed, and final ethics approval is given. When all of this is in place, projects can commence around mid/late June or as agreed with supervisors.
Many scholars find this group project more challenging than expected since it often presents a number of unforeseen and complex challenges; but within these lie some invaluable learning opportunities. It is essential to approach this project with a growth mindset and proactive communication to enable everyone to get the best from the experience.
To meet the project requirements, your research project must:
- Be a group research project with at least three group members (group size and composition are determined by the LSE Laidlaw team)
- Take place in Europe (outside the UK) and have LSE travel approval before commencement
- Have an interdisciplinary focus
- Explore a specific aspect of leadership
- Span over 6 weeks in total (with at least 4 weeks abroad). Any requests for flexibility are subject to approval from LSE Laidlaw, who retain the right to decline such requests where deemed not conducive to the success of the research project.
For your research project you will receive the following support:
- Advanced and comprehensive research training that will equip your group to produce a publication-grade research paper (three full days in total spanning over the residential weekend and three on campus training days)
- A designated supervisor who will oversee your research project
- Drop-in sessions where you will receive tailor-made support
Many scholars tell us that gathering research data abroad was the highlight of the programme. Below are some direct quotes from our 2025 graduates:
“Through my research project, I have come to see leadership as the ability to navigate different working styles and find common ground. My understanding has shifted to a more collaborative approach, where teamwork and adaptability are just as important as decision-making. I was especially surprised by how much patience was required, particularly during revisions, as I worked to incorporate different perspectives. This experience has reinforced the value of communication, compromise, and persistence in effective leadership”
Ying Zeng, Department of Government
“From this project, I have learned that leadership is not all about being in charge but also about creating an environment in which teamwork and adaptability flourish. I learned that good leadership is a fine line between set order and flexibility—having a vision while being open to feedback and unwanted circumstances. I learned that active listening has its place and that each member of the team should feel valued: strong leadership is as much about allowing others to shine as it is about making decisions.”
Abhinav Vijayakumara, Department of Economics
In addition to the projects in year 1 and year 2, you must also:
- Attend (and present your work at) the annual Laidlaw conference which takes place at one of the partner universities in the autumn (all first years attend)
- Attend a residential training weekend (usually in February/March of your second year, but we may move this to June for your cohort to trial a later date)
- Complete an integrated certificate in ethical leadership (October onwards - includes up to 3 in-person workshops plus online workshops with the Oxford Character Project)
- Complete a final workshop and reflection at the end of the programme around December/January, before graduating in March (2029 for this 2027 cohort)
Also, there will be plenty of opportunities to meet your fellow scholars during our programme-related evening seminars and events, which are designed to help you become part of this dedicated learning community.
Why should you join?
LSE is a place where you will develop skills and knowledge in the social sciences, but also a place that offers you opportunities to engage beyond your coursework. Many scholars join the programme with a plethora of knowledge within various subjects and topics; but they often crave practical, real-world opportunities to transcend this knowledge to create impact.
The LSE Laidlaw Scholars Programme is not a conventional university programme; your unique identity forms the foundations that the following programme cornerstones are built upon:
A clear and true reflection:
“Self-awareness matters. Who we are is how we lead.” (Brené Brown)
Scholars reflect with curiosity, bravery and integrity. This will significantly strengthen your ability to think about complex problems in a critical and interdisciplinary way.
Ownership:
“We take responsibility for our actions at the time we perform our actions, not at the time we get caught” (Simon Sinek)
For LSE Laidlaw Scholars, ambition and determination are standard and it should feel uncomfortable at times… but you will gain a deep and meaningful learning experience that goes well beyond a typical, standalone internship.
Leadership behaviours:
“I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” (Maya Angelou)
All our choices have consequences, and we have a responsibility to ourselves and to others to do what is right and good. Scholars develop leadership character, competencies and values that shape their leadership behaviours.
Global citizenship:
“I am often asked what can people do to become a good global citizen? I reply that it begins in your own community.” (Kofi Annan)
Scholars are part of an extraordinary, engaging leadership learning community at LSE, as well as joining our global community via the Laidlaw Scholars Network that reaches across many universities around the world.
Your commitment as an LSE Laidlaw Scholar
This programme offers a unique opportunity for development and requires a significant level of commitment (in addition to your studies) to succeed and graduate. Inclusion matters and we urge anyone requiring any reasonable adjustments or other accommodations to speak with us so we can ensure that the below standards are accessible.
Before applying, ask yourself the following questions:
- What other commitments do I currently have or plan on having over the next two years and am I able to fulfil all of them to a high standard?
- How will I balance my commitments with other responsibilities and ensure I can optimise my own wellbeing?
- What is my motivation for applying for this particular programme?
- Am I likely to face any barriers either within the recruitment process or as an LSE Laidlaw Scholar? What can be put in place to remove these?
For all applicants, and once selected as LSE Laidlaw Scholars, there are clear core expectations that must be met, which are non-negotiable:
- Attend and actively participate in all sessions as required (please note: most trainings will take place on weekends)
- Communicate proactively and respond reasonably with all people involved in the programme
- Maintain high academic standards in both, your degree programme and the LSE Laidlaw programme
- Contribute fully to summer project (in both time and quality) and deliver within deadlines.
- Challenge yourself by taking yourself out of your comfort zone. This may include uncomfortable conversations, which we welcome on the basis that everyone upholds respectful conduct towards all people involved in the programme
Importantly, your place on the programme is subject to regular reviews and if the above standards are not met, your place may be terminated at any time.
How can you apply?
To apply, please use this application form (you will need to use your LSE login). You will find below detailed information about: the content of the application; how we will evaluate your application; the support that is available to you; and the timeline of the selection process.
As part of the application process, it will be important that you inform (and optimally speak with) your academic mentor about your application to this programme. You may use AI as a support tool, but this must be declared within your application - more details can be found within the application Form.
The application process is open exclusively to first-year undergraduate students across all departments, and there will be up to 22 places available. The submission deadline is Thursday, 5 November 2026, 11.59pm (UK time).
LSE is a diverse and inclusive community, committed to fair and equitable treatment. We very much welcome applications from candidates from a diversity of backgrounds and identities and with a wide range of skills and qualifications from all departments across LSE.
If you find this application process poses challenges in relation to your individual needs, please contact us to discuss what we can put in place. We are keen to provide equity and opportunity within this application process for all.
Please note: For equity and equal opportunity reasons, Uggla Family Scholars are not eligible for this programme.
As part of your application, you will have to answer three questions (more details about the questions, please see step 2). To answer these questions, you will be able to choose one format from the following three options – you can either submit:
- A text-based application (maximum of 900 words overall and no more than 300 words for each question); or
- A poster that combines text and visual elements (maximum of 600 words); or
- A video (maximum length: 5 minutes)
Please note that all formats are valued equally, and we do not prefer any format over another. The reason we provide a choice of different formats is to give you an opportunity to pick the format that suits you best to share your thoughts and reflections.
If you choose to submit a poster or video, you will have to provide a link to the file. Please see How to save a file on your LSE
In your application, you will have to answer three questions which are centred around your unique qualities and the topic of leadership. Please read the questions and the guidance carefully as it explains to you in detail what we are looking for.
Question 1: What does leadership mean to you?
Guidance: In this question, we would like to learn more about your own understanding of leadership, and why and how you have arrived at that understanding through a critical reflection and ideally, personal experiences. This links to the last two ‘cornerstones’.
The next question asks about your development opportunities within the Oxford Character Project framework. The OCP is a mandatory part of the 2-year LSE Laidlaw Scholars Programme and focuses on the personal qualities and skills that underpin ethical leadership. Scholars are encouraged to be curious, reflective and ‘professionally vulnerable’ in order to strengthen each character domain for maximum impact within their leadership development journey and leadership practice.
Question 2: Reflecting on the Oxford Character Project framework, please explain where you think your growth opportunities are as a future leader.
Guidance: We are looking for awareness and understanding of one’s ‘self’ through an honest and in-depth reflection using the OCP framework. We are interested in growth opportunities, not in seeing how advanced an applicant’s qualities or skills might be within each area.
Question 3: “I am often asked what can people do to become a good global citizen? I reply that it begins in your own community.” (Kofi Annan); Tell us about a time when you contributed to your own community and how it helped you become a better global citizen.
Guidance: Please provide evidence of impact and explain the bigger picture of your contribution. If you are invited to the in-person assessment day, you may be asked to provide more depth to your response.
Your application will be evaluated using the following three criteria:
- Reflectiveness: Share with us your own, original reflections regarding the questions we ask. We will value answers that show that you have taken the time and made the effort to critically think about them and to articulate your own thoughts to answer them.
- Clarity: Convey your thoughts in a clear, specific, authentic, and well-structured way. We will value answers that allow us to grasp clearly what you share with us to learn more about you and your motivation.
- Engagement: The three questions are linked with one another as they all centre around the topic of leadership (your understanding of leadership; your leadership identity; contributing to your leadership and learning community). We will value answers that connect with and build on each other to convey your thoughts about leadership.
- Be yourself! No previous work, leadership, or research experience is required: we are looking for potential over credentials!
- What we are most interested in is (a) your motivation for taking part in this programme and (b) your willingness and ability to reflect about leadership and yourself.
- Following on from the previous point, there is no right or wrong answer to any of the questions.
- As you prepare your application, we warmly recommend that you discuss your thoughts and application with fellow students, friends, or family. Typically, such conversations help applicants to develop and articulate their thoughts.
- Have someone else look at your application before you submit it – try to avoid grammar or spelling errors.
- A good application will take time and a few drafts – we suggest you start early and put aside enough time to produce a high-quality application.
We offer a series of online Q&A sessions. You can attend via this Zoom link: https://lse.zoom.us/j/84396789936?pwd=GgkMulaDaTqD9Ajm2iQFjN6PJ51rJl.1
- Wednesday 21 October, 2.00pm-2.45pm
- Thursday 29 October, 6.00pm- 6.45pm
- Monday 2 November, 2.00pm-2.45pm
To get into the Zoom session, you will have to login to Zoom with your LSE account – please see here how to do this. The sessions will not be recorded, but in case additional relevant points will be discussed, we may update the information here on this website.
Learning Lab Study Advisers will be happy to support you with your application – for example, they can help you with planning your application or refining your answers. You can book a one-to-one session via this link.
You are welcome to get in touch with current scholars, the details of our programme champions are below.
We currently have five LSE Laidlaw Scholar Champions, who coproduce some elements of the programme with us and are very passionate about its values and aims. They have kindly volunteered to be contacted by potential applicants – please get in touch by finding their details below if you have any questions. LSE Laidlaw will not respond to application queries to ensure impartiality during the selection process.
Alyssa Moniz
Department of Social Policy, Cohort 2026 LSE Laidlaw Scholar: a.m.moniz@lse.ac.uk
Emily Van Rooyen
Department of Government, Cohort 2026 LSE Laidlaw Scholar: e.p.van-rooyen@lse.ac.uk
Aayush Garg
Department of Philosophy, Cohort 2026 LSE Laidlaw Scholar: a.garg37@lse.ac.uk
Shrey Verma
Department of Philosophy, Cohort 2026 LSE Laidlaw Scholar: s.verma26@lse.ac.uk
Jasmine Calder
Department of Geography, Cohort 2025 LSE Laidlaw Scholar: j.calder@lse.ac.uk
What happens after you submit?
Once you have successfully submitted your application, we will contact you by email with the outcome of the shortlisting process. There is no need to contact us for further updates, and we are not able to provide individual application feedback.
The dates of the selection process are as follows, all applicants must ensure they are available for the entirety of the assessment day, although a specific slot will be allocated nearer the time and may be subject to change:
- Application deadline: Thursday, 5 November 2026, 11.59pm
- Announcement of shortlisting (by email): no later than Friday, 20 November 2026
- Second round of selection process (must attend in person at LSE): Wednesday, 25 November 2026 1.00pm-6.00pm.
- Announcement of final selection (by email): no later than Wednesday, 16 December 2026
Important dates for 2026
The programme is designed in a way that most programme elements take place over weekends, on Wednesday afternoons, or over the summer break (your six-week projects), thus minimally interfering with your academic schedule.
Provisional dates of programme events with mandatory attendance until the end of September 2027 are as follows:
- Launch and training day 1: Saturday, 16 January, 9.30am-5.00pm
- Training day 2: Wednesday, 20 January, 12.00pm-6.00pm
- Training day 3: Saturday, 20 February, 9.00am-5.00pm
- Training day 4: Saturday, 6 March, 9.00am-5.00pm
- Training day 5: Thursday, 10 June 12.00pm-7.00 pm
- Laidlaw Scholars Global Induction event (online): in mid June (TBC)
- Leadership-in-Action project: 6 consecutive weeks, between 22 June and 11 September (beginning after your summer exams)
Information for Scholars on international internships and research projects
It is the students’ responsibility to:
- Check the latest travel advice in the lead up to and before leaving. The FCDO website advises on safety and security threats.
- Ensure you are aware of your nearest embassy. The Embassy Finder website can help you find the nearest embassy that relates to the passport you hold.
- In addition, if you encounter difficulties please follow these steps:
- Step 1: Contact the insurance - please find more information here
- Step 2: Alternatively, if you are unable to contact them, you should contact LSE LIFE reception (+44 20 7852 3580, covered Mon-Fri 9.30am - 5.30pm)