Starting in 2027, up to 20 students from the Berlin University Alliance will join the Laidlaw Scholars Leadership & Research Programme each year. The three-semester programme supports undergraduate students in developing their research and leadership skills. It prepares them to become ethical leaders who act with integrity and are guided by scientific evidence.

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What is the Laidlaw Scholars Programme?

Fully funded by the Laidlaw Foundation, the Laidlaw Scholars Programme brings together undergraduate students from all four BUA partner institutions and across all disciplines. It combines leadership development with hands-on research and project-based experiences, including an international experience.

The Laidlaw Scholars Network brings together more than 20 leading universities across Europe, North America and Asia, including Oxford, Imperial, MIT, the University of Toronto and the University of Hong Kong. To date, more than 3,000 students have participated in the Laidlaw Scholars Programme.

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What does the program offer?

Over the course of the 18-month programme, Scholars undertake their own research project and gain practical experience through Leadership in Action. The program also includes leadership development and an Ethical Leadership Certificate delivered in collaboration with the Oxford Character Project. Scholars become part of the international Laidlaw Scholars Network and receive a scholarship to support their participation in the program.

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What are the unique features of the program?

• Research: six weeks in Summer 1, including presentation of results at the annual Global Scholars Conference

• Leadership in Action: six weeks in Summer 2, combined with an international experience

• Leadership Development: throughout the programme

• Ethical Leadership Certificate: in collaboration with the Oxford Character Project

• Laidlaw Scholars Network: an international community of Scholars

• Funding: fully funded participation for up to 20 students per cohort, including scholarships and support for travel and other programme-related costs

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When is the application period?

• November 2026: Applications open
• April 2027: First cohort of 20 BUA students starts

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Who can apply?

• Students from all four BUA partner institutions
• Undergraduate students from all disciplines
• Students in their second or third semester at the time of application

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Interested in becoming a Laidlaw Scholar?

Applications will start in November 2026. Information on the application process and further programme details will be available soon.

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Contact

Dr. Julia Rueß (Head of the Student Research Opportunities Program - StuROP^x)
Dr. Nina Lorkowski (Program Manager of the Student Research Opportunities Program - StuROP^x)
Dorothee Mackowiak (Coordinator Cross-Cutting Theme Teaching and Learning)

laidlaw@berlin-university-alliance.de