Expanding Horizons: Georgetown Joins Laidlaw Undergraduate Research and Leadership Program

On November 2, 2021 the Georgetown Office of the Vice Provost for Education and the Center for Research and Fellowships announced that Georgetown had joined the Laidlaw Undergraduate Research and Leadership Program as one of their partner institutions.

Among the Laidlaw network of institutions are some of Georgetown’s affiliated partners where undergraduate students can apply to study for the semester or academic year, including: London School of Economics and Political Science, University of St Andrews, Trinity College Dublin, and University College London.

With a focus on “developing a new generation of leaders who are skilled researchers, embrace data-based decision making, and believe it is a moral imperative to lead with integrity,” the program consists of three core aspects: a six-week research project during the first summer of the program; a leadership retreat followed by a number of leadership development programs during the academic year; and a six week leadership “expedition” in the second summer of the program. The program also boasts a large and active alumni network, from which the program strongly encourages current scholars to seek mentorship, advice, and collaboration.

As a new partner, Georgetown will begin administering the inaugural research summer component of the program in Summer 2022, with applications due in February 2022. 25 Hoyas will be selected to participate as Laidlaw Scholars each year, and freshmen and sophomore undergraduate students across all Main Campus colleges and majors – and irrespective of nationality – are encouraged to apply.

An information session for interested freshmen and sophomore students will be held on November 10 at 10:30 am ET, and students can make reservations to attend via the session’s EventBrite page. Interested students are also strongly encouraged to join the Laidlaw Program Listserv by emailing a request to fellowships@georgetown.edu.