How to Apply & Eligibility

Applications for the 2024-2025 academic year are now closed. Applications for the 2025-2026 academic year will open on 1 November 2025. 

Important Dates for 2024-2025 Applicants:

• Applications close at 23:59 on 9 February 2025. 
  • Please note, staff are not available outside of the work week (8-9 February 2025) to aid in issues or questions. 
• Students shortlisted for interviews will be notified no later than 12:00 PM on 4 March 2025.
• Interviews will be held on the week of 17-21 March 2025.
• Students will be notified of their outcomes of interviews by 24 March 2025.
• Successful applicants are expected to attend an induction event on 30 April 2025. (Date and time TBC)
• Successful applicants will be invited to a welcome event on 9 June 2025.
• Successful applicants will have leadership development sessions on 11 June, and 17-20 June 2025. All leadership development sessions are compulsory.
• Research Projects will take place between 23 June 2025 and finish by 10 August 2025. Research Project dates will be finalised between the successful applicant and their research project supervisor(s).

*Please note that the dates outlined are subject to change.

Eligibility: 

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.

Application routes

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. 

Stage 1: Application Form

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 from university academics or foundation partners, there may be an additional selection stage required.

For the application form, you will need to:

• Identify a research project in which you are interested and create a research proposal.
• Answer a few personal statement questions.  

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. 

  If you are applying against a listed project from the academic-led projects, you must take the project description of the project given and provide more detail on what you intend to do with that project proposal, in line with the questions set out in the application workbook. You will also need to meet with the academic research supervisor for the project before completing your application.
• Write a research proposal. Your proposal will be assessed by an internal reviewer for the quality of project content, potential outputs, and viability for the 6-week timeframe given. Those applying with a self-defined project are advised to seek support in formulating and presenting their ideas from their chosen supervisor. To support you through this process, two writing workshops will be held in collaboration with the Academic Skills Resource Centre. Please note the dates above. 
• 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.
• Get an Academic Support Statement or Reference. Those applying with a self-defined project will need to obtain from their supervisor, an "academic support statement" to confirm that they are happy to supervise you and support your application to the programme. Those who are applying against a pre-defined project, either from a university academic or foundation partner will need to get an academic reference. This should be a Durham academic who knows or has taught you personally (but should not be the supervisor of the Laidlaw project you are applying for). The pro-from for these statements or references is available in the application workbook. It will be your responsibility to acquire these and upload them to your application. 

Guidance on completing the application form 

Project essential skills- For those applying against a pre-defined academic-led project

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.  

If applying against a pre-defined academic-led project, you will need to meet with them before submitting your application. 

Application questions

The application questions are divided into two sections:

1. Leadership and motivation: the panel will seek to see what has driven your application for the programme and how you intend to use it for future success
2. The research project: the panel will look for enthusiasm for your chosen project and a well-considered understanding of the research and its potential impact.

Try to keep your answers concise and specific as there is a limited word count for each answer.  

Stage 2: Interview

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.

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 a six-week period. 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. 

How applications are judged

Once you have submitted your application, it will be considered as follows:

• Eligiblity for the programme.
• Applications are initially shortlisted by assessing the personal statement information and the project proposal provided within your application form.
• Shortlisted applicants are invited to an interview
• The final selection is made by a Panel which considers the application form, interview, academic reference, or supporting statement feedback from project supervisors.

Places on the Laidlaw Research and Leadership Programme are awarded based on:

• leadership potential
• Interest in making a difference
• motivation, and
• academic merit. 

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 on 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.