NYU Abu Dhabi has received a commitment of over $1 million from the Laidlaw Foundation to establish a landmark partnership - the first of its kind in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). The Laidlaw Scholars Program at NYUAD is dedicated to developing the next generation of global leaders.
The program will launch with its first cohort in spring 2026, offering selected undergraduates an immersive two-year experience. A combination of leadership development and training, an experiential research project, and a community-based work experience, this comprehensive program empowers real-world impact. Students also join a global network of over 2,500 Laidlaw Scholars from leading institutions around the world.
“Partnering with the exceptional NYU Abu Dhabi enables us to extend the geographical reach, cultural richness, and global impact of the Laidlaw leadership and research scholarship program. Thanks to Vice Chancellor Fabio Piano and his dedicated team, we look forward to supporting more extraordinary Scholars to become good leaders and wise thinkers.”
NYUAD is the first university in the MENA region to join the prestigious Laidlaw Scholars Network, which comprises 20 leading universities across Europe, North America, and Asia. Members of the network include the University of Oxford, the London School of Economics, Imperial College, Columbia University, Cornell University, Brown University, and the University of Hong Kong among others. This affiliation creates unique opportunities for collaboration among undergraduate students and faculty members and aligns with NYUAD’s commitment to fostering a culture of innovation, excellence, and social responsibility.
