Please read the below guidance before applying to the Laidlaw Programme

Question 20 – Supervisor availability and research dates

When completing Question 20 of the application form, please note that the Laidlaw Team is not asking you to arrange individual meeting dates with your academic supervisor at the application stage.

You should instead discuss and agree with your proposed supervisor:

• the dates during the Laidlaw summer research period when they will be available to supervise your research;
• that appropriate supervision arrangements can be provided during your project, including opportunities for face-to-face meetings where possible; and
• when they will be available to review and sign off your final research outputs.

Your six-week research project must take place within the published Durham Laidlaw summer research period. Please refer to the programme timetable on the website for the confirmed dates.

Your final outputs will include a research report and an A1 academic research poster. These will need to be reviewed and signed off by your academic supervisor before the published submission deadline.

Please make sure that your proposed supervisor understands these commitments before agreeing to support your application.

Question 24 – Research location

Durham Laidlaw Scholars are normally expected to undertake their research in Durham and must be available in Durham for the required in-person elements of the research period, as set out in the published programme timetable.

If the nature of your research requires you to conduct some or all of the project away from Durham, this must be discussed with your proposed academic supervisor. Your supervisor should confirm that working away from Durham is necessary for the research and provide the appropriate supporting information requested in the application documentation.

Question 26 – Academic Support Statement or Academic Reference

Please read Question 26 carefully and check the forms attached to the application, as the document you need depends on the type of project for which you are applying.

If you are applying with a self-defined research project:

• You need an Academic Support Statement from the academic who has agreed to supervise your proposed research project.
• The statement confirms that the academic is willing to support your application and supervise your six-week summer research project.

If you are applying for a pre-defined/academic-proposed research project:

• You need an academic reference from a Durham academic who knows you or has taught you personally.
• This referee should not be the supervisor of the Laidlaw project for which you are applying.
• You should also meet with the proposed project supervisor before submitting your application, as instructed in the application guidance.

Please ensure that you upload the correct completed form with your application. Applications should follow the requirements set out in the application form and accompanying guidance.

Before opening the application form

Please make sure you have read the application guidance and understand which Academic Support Statement or academic reference you will need. You may need to contact an academic in advance, so please do not leave this until the application deadline.

Laidlaw Application form 2027