Applications for the 2025-2026 academic year will open on 10 November 2025.
Applications are housed on PebblePad and can be accessed starting 10 November 2025. Select 'I have an IT account at Durham University' to log in. The application workbook is titled ' '2026 Laidlaw Programme in Leadership and Research Application' and can be found within the 'Start working on...' section of your home page. Please email laidlaw.scholarships@durham.ac.uk if you have any difficulty accessing the application.
The Laidlaw Team and current Laidlaw Scholars will hold information sessions for applicants to ask current scholars questions about their experience on the Laidlaw Programme.
Date
Time
Location
Information Session 1
18:15-19:15
TLC117
Information Session 2
03 December 2025
TBC
Advance registration is required.
Register here.
15 January 2026
Research Proposal Writing Workshop 2
21 January 2026
Information Session 4
29 January 2026
*Please note that the dates outlined are subject to change.
All undergraduate students in year one of a three-year degree programme, or year one or two of a four-year degree programme at the time of application, are eligible to apply. There are no restrictions on discipline/department, college, nationality or fee status (the programme is not open to visiting students). We particularly welcome applications from those under-represented, including people of minority ethnic origin, people with disabilities, LGBTQIA+ people, and people who attended state schools and/or are first-generation university students.
There are two application routes for the Laidlaw Programme:
You will be able to choose to apply with either:
a) a self-defined project - allowing you to explore a topic you are interested in where you can develop your knowledge and academic expertise in this area. You will need to find a suitable academic to support you.
OR
b) an academic proposed project - projects proposed by leading academics at Durham University. You will develop your research proposal with the information provided by the academic in the respective project description. You can access projects here.
The application process comprises an application form and, for shortlisted individuals, an interview. In some individual cases, for those applying against a specific project listed by university academics or foundation partners, there may be an additional selection stage required.
For the application form, you will need to:
If you are applying with a self-defined project, you will need to find a member of academic staff who will be willing to support your application and supervise you throughout the 6-week summer project. You will be asked several questions about your project proposal on the application form. You do not need to identify an academic supervisor if you are applying to the academic proposed projects.
Design your research project. If self-defined, we advise that you seek advice and discuss your ideas with your chosen supervisor in the first instance; your project can be original or related to research that is ongoing in the University. If part of a larger research programme, your project must be designed to make a specific contribution.
In their project description, each supervisor has given up to three essential skills which you should aim to demonstrate in the first question of your project proposal section, where you are asked to provide a description and outline why you are interested in this project. Try to give specific, clear and concrete examples.
All applicants will need to meet with the research supervisor before submitting the application.
Self-proposed projects
If you are proposing your own project, you must find a member of the academic staff to be your supervisor before applying. You will be asked several questions about your project proposal on the application form. You should consider these questions together with your project supervisor. Please give as much detail as you can.
The panel will be looking for a convincing, logical and well-considered project which fits well into six weeks. However, the panel will not expect you to have worked out every detail at this stage.
Check whether your proposal would require ethical approval-you should factor in additional time for this (it can take months to obtain approval). You must have approval before your start date, as a project without ethical approval (where required) cannot go ahead.
The application questions are divided into two sections:
Try to keep your answers concise and specific, as there is a limited word count for each answer.
Shortlisted candidates will be invited to undertake a short face-to-face interview. If you are shortlisted, you will receive further details about this by email.
Once you have submitted your application, it will be considered as follows:
You should aim to demonstrate these elements in your application form. Through the assessment process, we may limit the number of applicants from the same department.
We will contact all applicants via email with the outcome of their application. Due to the number of applications received, feedback will be given to those who progressed to the interview stage of the application process.