Laidlaw Scholars Leadership and Research Programme

The Laidlaw Scholars Leadership and Research Programme at the University of St Andrews is dedicated to developing a new generation of leaders who combine strong research skills with a commitment to ethical leadership and data-driven decision-making. The programme invests in passionate undergraduate students, equipping them with the knowledge, skills and experiences to become active global citizens and leaders in their chosen fields. Scholars receive a total stipend of £6,000 and access to a Travel Fund of up to £2,000 over the duration of the programme. The programme requires completion of two six-week projects over two summers: a research project in the first summer and a Leadership-in-Action project (typically overseas) in the second summer. In addition to financial support, Scholars undergo comprehensive leadership development training, receive an Ethical Leadership Certificate from the University of Oxford, join a global network of Laidlaw Scholars and alumni, and have the programme listed on their University of St Andrews HEAR degree transcript. The programme requires significant commitment including attending Laidlaw events during term time, completing a six-month ethical leadership masterclass, attending the annual Laidlaw Scholars Conference, and creating various deliverables including research essays, posters, blog posts, leadership development essays, videos, and learning logs.