The Laidlaw Scholars Program is a transformative global leadership program that empowers undergraduate students to become ethical leaders equipped to address the world's most pressing challenges. By combining academic research, leadership development, and hands-on community engagement, this competitive program encourages scholars to think critically, act courageously, and lead with integrity. The program runs at many leading universities across the globe, creating a large network of past and present scholars. It is generously funded by the Laidlaw Foundation. Laidlaw Scholars gain the skills, experiences, and global perspective needed to create meaningful and lasting impact in their communities and beyond.
At NYU Abu Dhabi, the program reflects the University's commitment to interdisciplinary learning, global citizenship, and public service. Over two years, scholars undertake a faculty-mentored research project, participate in leadership development workshops, and complete a six-week Leadership in Action (LIA) experience, applying their knowledge in partnership with communities and organizations tackling real-world challenges. Through this unique journey, scholars deepen their understanding of leadership, strengthen their ability to collaborate across cultures, and join a lifelong global network of changemakers committed to building a more equitable and sustainable future.
First- and second-year undergraduate NYUAD students may apply to the program.
Develop the skills, confidence, and self-awareness to lead with integrity through workshops, mentoring, reflection, and experiential learning. Scholars explore ethical leadership, effective communication, teamwork, and strategies for creating meaningful social impact.
The program provides financial support for both the Research and Leadership in Action experiences, enabling scholars to focus on learning, leadership, and impact. Funding covers approved program expenses, helping make these transformative opportunities accessible to all selected scholars.
Undertake a fully funded, faculty-mentored research project during the first summer. Scholars investigate a topic of their choice, strengthen their research skills, and contribute to addressing real-world questions across a wide range of disciplines.
Join an international community of Laidlaw Scholars, alumni, mentors, and partner institutions. The program provides opportunities to build lifelong connections, collaborate across universities, and engage with a global network of emerging leaders.
Put leadership into practice through a six-week immersive experience with a community or social impact organization. Working alongside local partners, scholars apply their knowledge, collaborate across cultures, and contribute to projects that create lasting impact.
The Laidlaw Scholars Program is an eighteen-month journey that combines academic research, leadership development, and real-world experience. Each stage builds on the previous one, enabling scholars to develop the knowledge, skills, and confidence to become ethical leaders who create meaningful impact in their communities and beyond.
Scholars begin their Laidlaw journey by joining a diverse cohort of students, participating in program orientation, and engaging in leadership development workshops that introduce the foundations of ethical and inclusive leadership.
During the first summer, scholars undertake a fully funded, faculty-mentored research project. This experience allows them to deepen their academic interests, develop critical thinking and research skills, and contribute to addressing complex local or global challenges.
Scholars continue to strengthen their leadership skills through workshops, mentoring, reflection, and cohort activities. They also prepare for their Leadership in Action experience by developing the practical and interpersonal skills needed to work effectively with communities and partner organizations.
Scholars participate in a six-week immersive Leadership in Action (LIA) experience with a community or social impact organization. By applying their research and leadership skills in a real-world setting, they collaborate with local partners to drive meaningful, sustainable change.
Upon completing the program, scholars join the global Laidlaw Scholars Network — a lifelong community of leaders committed to ethical leadership, service, and creating positive impact across disciplines, sectors, and communities.
Leadership in Action (LIA) is a major component of the Laidlaw Scholars Program, providing scholars with the opportunity to transform leadership learning into meaningful action. During this immersive six-week experience, scholars work alongside communities, non-profit organizations, social enterprises, and NGOs to address real-world social and environmental challenges. By stepping beyond the classroom and into diverse local and global contexts, scholars develop the confidence, adaptability, and empathy needed to lead with purpose.
Every LIA experience is designed to create mutual learning and lasting impact. Whether supporting community development, advancing environmental sustainability, promoting education, improving public health, or contributing to social inclusion, scholars collaborate closely with local partners to understand community needs and co-create practical solutions. Through these experiences, they strengthen their ability to work across cultures, navigate complex challenges, and translate research into tangible outcomes.
Scholars pursue Leadership in Action through a variety of pathways, including Laidlaw's Central LIA Projects with international partner organizations or independently designed placements that align with the program's values and objectives. Regardless of the pathway, every LIA experience encourages scholars to embrace new perspectives, build meaningful relationships, and contribute to sustainable, community-driven impact. By combining research, leadership, and service, Leadership in Action becomes a transformative experience that prepares scholars to make a positive difference wherever their future careers may take them.
Alex Kurian, Class of 2028, will work with the World Behaviors and Stereotypes Dataset collected by Professor of Economics Nikos Nikiforakis and his team from the NYUAD Center for Behavioral Institutional Design (C-BID).
“I’m looking forward to the people I’ll meet through this program, whether that’s postdocs at C-BID during my research, fellow Laidlaw scholars, or others through the Leadership in Action project.”
Class of 2029 Zena Muqattash's research focus as a Laidlaw scholar will be on how students use tools like generative AI to learn new languages more effectively.
“As an economics student, I’m interested in how people adapt their behavior when new technologies are introduced, and this project explores that in a very practical way.”
Ghalia Fohami, Class of 2029, will be working closely with Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering Fares Abu Dakka on teaching robots to master “hands-on” tasks by having them mimic human touch and pressure. Using a framework called Dynamic Movement Primitives, this research refines how robots feel and adapt to physical contact.
“This research serves to bridge the gap between rigid machine motion and the tactile adaptability of humans to pave the way for robots that can safely assist humans in everyday, unpredictable environments.”
Kenyan student Meshack Moseti, Class of 2029, will work in the Space Exploration Lab at NYUAD under the guidance of Principal Investigator Dimitra Atri, studying how space conditions affect astronauts and their equipment.
By using materials on Earth that replicate the Moon’s surface, known as lunar simulants, he will test tools before they are sent into space.
