Laidlaw Scholars Program
The Laidlaw Scholars Undergraduate Leadership and Research Programme, also known as the Laidlaw Scholars Program, provides students with funding to pursue research in any area of interest at U of T, or anywhere in the world.
This group of like-minded, highly motivated peers and associated research advisors will allow students to expand their worldview, help them develop practical skills, and enhance their future employability. In our hope to develop global citizens through this program, all scholars are encouraged to have an overseas experience at some stage through the program (public health and travel guidelines permitting).
Research Project
Selected scholars will conduct research on a topic they propose. This research will be carried out in Canada or internationally (if approved) with a research advisor to supervise scholars from U of T or any international institution.
(Teaching assistants and graduate students are not eligible research advisors)
Leadership Development and Training
Scholars will receive leadership training in sessions held throughout the year, to develop problem-solving and communication skills.
The program will focus on the importance of developing leadership skills, understanding teamwork, and applying lessons to day-to-day challenges. All scholars will also participate in an online Ethical Leadership Masterclass led by a leading faculty member at the London Business School along with all other Laidlaw Scholars from other universities in the program.
Leadership-in-Action Experience
Scholars will have the opportunity to apply learned leadership skills through an immersive experience or projects in their second summer of the program. This, in a variety of different aspects, will be a key focus of the program. An international or global opportunity either through the Leadership in Action experience, or at a different point in the program is highly encouraged.
Network Building (for future opportunities)
Scholars will work with staff and faculty to grow peer and career networks both at U of T as well as through partner institutions during and after their time with the Laidlaw Programme.
Fall 0:
Application available in October
Winter 0:
- Applications due in January
- Interviews conducted in mid to late February for shortlisted students
- Selected scholars begin leadership training and planning for the summer
Summer 1:
Full-time independent research (up to six weeks, ideally between June 1 and August 15).
Fall-Winter 1 (September – March):
- Leadership program with online sessions interspersed with in-person components where possible, following all social distancing guidelines set forth at that time by the University of Toronto.
- The Laidlaw Scholars Office will work with you to plan your second summer activity.
- The Laidlaw Scholars Office will approve your second summer activity.
Summer 2: leadership-in-action summer (June 1 – August 15):
- Practically implement your research (6 weeks long)
- Work with a university approved program (could be self-proposed) implementing your leadership skills, while ideally working with an NGO or organization on a project that may have impact in a community in need (6 weeks long)
- Participate in a Leadership-in-Action experience through a centrally offered partner project- more details on this will be available after summer 2022
Fall 2 (October or November) :
- You will present your research findings to faculty and staff from across the university at a symposium organized by the Laidlaw Scholars Program.
- You will write a final research paper outlining the findings of their work. All scholars will have the opportunity to present their research.
Up to 25 academically strong, motivated students are selected annually. If you are selected as a Laidlaw Scholar, here is what to expect:
- Summer 1: up to $5000
- Summer 2: Funding will be determined based on the student’s opportunity during the Leadership-in-Action summer period, but no more than $5000.
Extra funds: you are also eligible to apply for up to $2,500. This funding can be applied to travel expenses, which are dependent on global travel restrictions and all University of Toronto guidelines, as well as extra lab funding (up to $1000 out of the $2500 mentioned above) that cannot be covered by the main research amount. This extra fund covers the entirety of a scholars’ engagement in the program.
Eligibility
Applicants will be assessed for their passion, drive, enthusiasm, and ambition, while also keeping in mind their academic background and achievements.
You are eligible if you are:
- A first or second-year undergraduate student in your first program of study at the University of Toronto
- Maintain full-time status for the entire duration of your enrolment as a Laidlaw Scholar. You must inform the program of any change in your status if selected
- Studying in any of our three campuses
- Enrolled in any fields of study and from any background.
You are not eligible if you are:
- A visiting student
- A graduate student
Applications
Applications for the 2022 cohort will be available on October 15, 2021.Access the program and application by clicking on the Experiential Learning Module in CLNx. Select “View Available Programs/Courses” and apply to the 2022 Laidlaw Scholars Programme (program name: Laidlaw Scholars Programme Recruitment and Application).
Document Guidelines
For details on how to submit an application for the 2022 Laidlaw Scholars cohort, please read the application guidelines and follow the instructions.
Important Dates
Please refer below for important dates related to the program.
- Friday, October 15, 2021 – Application available
- Thursday, October 28, 2021 – Information Session (4.00PM – 5.00PM EST)
- Thursday, November 11, 2021 – Information Session (12.00PM – 1.00PM EST)
- Thursday, November 24, 2021 – Information Session (12.00PM-1.00PM EST)
- Monday, January 31, 2022 – Application DUE by 9.00AM
- February 21, 2022 – March 2, 2022 (tentative) – Laidlaw Scholars Interviews
- Monday, March 7, 2022 – Candidates notified of acceptance
- Thursday, March 17, 2022 – Leadership Session 1 (5.00PM – 7.00PM)
- March 17, 2022 – March 30, 2022 – Individual Check-In meetings
- Saturday, March 26, 2022 – Leadership Session 2 (9.30AM – 4PM)
- Summer 2022 – Research Summer I
- September 2022 – April 2022 – Leadership Program (Schedule will be released in September 2022)
- Summer 2023 – Leadership in Action Summer
All information sessions will be held online using Zoom.
UTSG students should register through the CLNx link above.
UTM and UTSC students – Please email laidlaw.scholars@utoronto.ca to be added to the registration list.
The history
Lord Laidlaw of Rothiemay used his vision and commitment to create this program, which is now offered at 14 universities around the world. The long-term vision for the Laidlaw Scholarship is to create a wide-reaching and diverse international network of leaders who will reinvest their skills, knowledge and experience to help students, peers and colleagues.
For more information about the history and vision of the program, please visit the Laidlaw Scholars website.
Laidlaw Scholars Bios
2022 Scholars
Amy Mann
University of Toronto – St. George
Victoria College
Physical and Mathematical Sciences
Research Topic: What is the trajectory of sea ice in the Last Ice Area? How has it moved and what are the implications?
Jolie Gan
University of Toronto – St. George
Trinity College
Political Science & Health Studies
Research Topic: How do systemic forms of discrimination influence access and, to a lesser extent, quality of healthcare for ethnic minorities in Malaysia? What actionable steps can be taken to reduce institutionalized prejudice towards minorities within healthcare?
Je Ho Cho
University of Toronto – St. George
New College
International Relations, and Peace, Conflict, and Justice Studies
Research Topic: How have liberal and illiberal states differed in their use of contact tracing applications and what accounts for this potential difference?
Daniel Corredor Llorente
University of Toronto – St. George
Trinity College
Economics & International Relations
Research Topic: The policy response of South American countries to the Venezuelan migrations crisis. He will examine the effectiveness of granting Venezuelan migrants a Temporary Protected Status (TPS) in Colombia, and whether such a policy could be implemented in Peru and Chile, the second and third largest refugee-hosting countries after Colombia. Daniel will be interviewing policymakers from these three countries throughout the summer of 2022.
Isha Dinesh Sharma
University of Toronto – St. George
HBA Architectural Studies specialist, Energy and Environment science minor
Research Topic: Public spaces and the COVID-19 Pandemic: Comparative analysis of the use of sidewalks in Downtown Toronto
Ajantha Nadesalingam
University of Toronto – St. George
Victoria College
Biodiversity and Conservation Biology, double minor in Environmental Studies and Buddhism, Psychology, and Mental Health
Research Topic: Do mobile application-based mindfulness meditations improve mental, neurological, and cognitive wellbeing in university students? If so, which meditations within Calm and Headspace applications utilize a mindfulness meditation-based approach?
Emma Hopkins
University of Toronto – St. George
Woodsworth College
History and English
Research Topic: For my research topic, I will be investigating equity and diversity studies within the Ontario high school curriculum. My research will delve into how people of diverse backgrounds are represented within English, History, Law, and other Humanities courses in high school, what requirements are in place for diversity studies, and areas of the curriculum that may not represent marginalized groups.
Ruhani Walia
University of Toronto – St. George
Victoria College
(Intended) Financial Economics Specialist, Statistical Science Minor, Psychology of Economics and Management Certificate
Research Topic: What aspects of observation (e.g., a larger audience, an observer of perceived higher authority) serve
as the most influential nudges towards pro-social behaviour and decision-making?
Anuj (AJ) Manchanda
University of Toronto – St. George
University College
Rotman Commerce
Research Topic: Investigating the impact of environmental corporate responsibility initiatives on consumer behaviour in the fast-moving consumer goods industry.
Serena Honekin
University of Toronto – St. George Campus
Innis College
Psychology Specialist and Sociology Major
Research Topic: What is the effect of a majority group’s judgement on bicultural Canadian’s ability to identify a criminal suspect, given that their visible minority status has been made salient?
Shiri Yeung
University of Toronto – St. George Campus
Victoria College
Sociology and Urban Studies
Research Topic: An investigation of the relationship between professional media’s portrayal and individual perceptions of Indigenous homelessness
Mariela Torroba Hennigen
University of Toronto Mississauga
Double-major in Communications, Culture, Information and Technology (CCIT) and Professional Writing and Communication (PWC)
Research Topic: This research project aims to investigate how social media’s diffusion of information about COVID-19 influences individuals’ perceptions of their pandemic-related behaviors. Additionally, the research project will also aim to gain insight into how other people’s behaviors, in turn, shape individual’s self-perception of their pandemic-related behaviors. This investigation will happen across the following three different countries: Canada, Brazil, and the United States.
Derek Yu
The University of Toronto Scarborough
Life Sciences
Research Topic: Is impulsive behaviour a contributing factor that increases the risk of suicide ideators attempting suicide?
Taha Bin Aamir
University of Toronto Mississauga
Economics and Mathematical Sciences
Research Topic: Cost of Economic Relief: An analysis of how the IMF bailout program fosters socio-economic inequality in Pakistan.
Isabel Sternthal
University of Toronto – St. George
Victoria College
Life Sciences
Research Topic: My research will investigate the effectiveness of a hospital working group as a mechanism by which to address cancer care disparities affecting LGBTQ+ patients and their caregivers.
Vinay Malik
University of Toronto – St. George
St. Michael’s College
International Relations and Political Science
Research Topic: How and to what extent does the influx of Syrian migrants contribute to the rise in nationalism and xenophobia in modern Turkey?
Victoria Liu
University of Toronto – St. George
Trinity College
Daniels Faculty
Research Topic: My research aims to investigate methods to improve East Asian communities’ mental health amid the Anti-Asian racism during Covid-19. This involves examining the existing structural, and cultural barriers, which prevent East Asian populations from accessing mental health services.
Joseph Boyce
University of Toronto – St. George
Victoria College
Philosophy and Ethics, Society, and Law
Research Topic: How does our conception of the university differ from that which was dominant at Oxbridge from 1880-1920? What can we learn from past understandings?
Meerab Anwar
The University of Toronto Scarborough
Human Biology and Population Health Double Major
Research Topic: Exploring the relationship between eating behaviours in the 21st century, mental health and wellbeing, and the concept of time scarcity
Ali Eren Kaya
University of Toronto – St. George Campus
New College
Computer Science, Mathematics
Research Topic: Can any form of AI be an artist?
Noor Al-Sehail
University of Toronto – St. George Campus
Specialist in Architectural Studies
Research Topic: In the wake of the climate refugee crisis, how can architects redesign temporary shelters using biomimicry, a sustainable and intelligent design approach that emulates nature and utilizes its evolution to withstand and survive climatic factors?
Anna Lysenko
University of Toronto- St. George Campus
University College
International Relations Specialist
Research Topic: To what extent do cyber-attacks on the US decrease American public confidence in democracy?
Madeleine Luntley
University of Toronto – St. George Campus
Bachelor of Music in Voice Performance
Research Topic: What explains the failure to produce research on neglected tropical diseases in low and middle income countries?
Gerd Bizi
University of Toronto – St. George Campus
Victoria College
Specialist in Biochemistry and Computer Science
Research Topic: How can we use Computer Vision to efficiently analyze protein-to-protein interactions through fluorescence microscopy?
Yu Xin Li
University of Toronto – St. George Campus
Engineering Science
Research Topic: I wish to investigate how surface electromyography (sEMG) can be used to retore the motor skills of amputees. More specifically, using machine learning to classify sEMG datasets, to better understand how the electrical activity within the muscle is connected with movement. The purpose of my project is to focus on extracting new features from data by applying neural network architectures. The ultimate goal of my research is to allow amputees to control their prosthetic limbs through neuro activity.
2021 Scholars
Abhay Sachal
St. George Campus
Victoria College
Global Health & Peace, Conflict, and Justice
Research Topic: An investigation on the impacts of climate change on the mental health of youth climate activists in Canada.
Ahmed Moslehi
St. George Campus
Trinity College
Research Topic: Defining structural and functional features of the intestinal organoids and determining how intestinal microbes are capable of making alteration that may be conducive to neurodegenerative disease.
Aly Sayani
University of Toronto Mississauga
International Affairs Specialist
Research Topic: Linking Political orientation and Environmentalism: An analysis of changing environmental attitudes and subsequent party support in Canada
Asha Mior
St. George Campus
Victoria College
Life Sciences
Research Topic: Do colonial legacies affect the attitudes of Indigenous peoples in Canada toward the COVID-19 vaccine?
Claire Parish
St. George Campus
Trinity College
Environmental Studies and International Relations
Research Topic: My research centers around bison reintroduction efforts in the North American West. More specifically, I plan to systematically examine the motives, methods, and efforts toward collaboration of bison-related actors in Montana and Alberta, with the goal of understanding how diverse interests have interacted during reintroduction work.
Dalal Mahir
University of Toronto Mississauga
Psychology major
Research Topic: My research seeks to investigates if the emotion of awe can promote empathy in politically polarized settings.
Ecem Sungur
St. George Campus
John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design
Architectural Studies
Research Topic: Underground Architecture Typology as Crisis Management: An Analysis Through Derinkuyu Underground City
Fatima Formuli
University of Toronto Scarborough
Specialist in Mental Health Studies Co-op
Research Topic: A review of mental health frameworks among minorities to inform mental health research for Muslim Canadians
Iman Lalani
University of Toronto Mississauga
Double Major in Environmental Management and Geography, Minor in Environmental Policy and Law
Research Topic: What challenges does sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) face in responding to the effects of climate change? An analysis of the region’s environmental, financial, technical, institutional, social, and cultural barriers.
Jenny Liu
St. George Campus
Molecular Genetics & Microbiology (Major), Immunology (Major), Creative Expression & Society (Minor)
Research Topic: My research aims to elucidate the regulatory mechanisms of runt-related transcription factor 3 (Runx3) expression within early proprioceptor development. Ultimately, I hope to inform neurogenesis studies and contribute potential clinical applications for approaching ataxias and peripheral neuropathy disease modelling and treatment.
Keah Sharma
St. George Campus
Victoria College, Faculty of the Arts & Sciences
Political Science & International Relations, Minor: Literature and Critical Theory
Research Topic: Analyzing and producing written work on South Asian diasporic literature with the aim of deconstructing the phenomenon of “model minorities” and providing visible leadership pathways for immigrant communities.
Nhu Huynh
St. George Campus
Victoria college
Double major in Neuroscience and Health Studies
Research Topic: In my research project, I will explore the relationship between substance use disorder and factors that predict offending (termed “criminogenic needs) in a forensic population in the context of Canada’s Youth Justice System. In addition, I will examine the extent to which youths are matched to appropriate service(s) while on probation and what impacts this has on their recidivism outcomes.
Peter Ma
St. George Campus
Victoria University
Math and Physics Specialist
Research Topic: My research pertains to developing a high performance machine learning algorithm to run on both the MeerKAT telescope in South Africa and the VLA telescope in New Mexico. The goal is to use this algorithm to survey the nearest 1 million stars in our galaxy for signs of life beyond Earth.
Priyansh Parakh
St. George Campus
Computer Engineering
Research Topic: Analysing the performance of different ML algorithms against various optimisation tasks
Rachel Kim
St. George Campus
Victoria College
Computer Science, Mathematics
Research Topic: How have sentiments and discussions around the idea of a UBI changed on Reddit over time? Do the UBI discussions on Reddit parallel the UBI discussions in academic literature?
Salma Ragheb
St. George Campus
Daniels Faculty
Double major in visual arts and life sci (to be determined in first year: either immunology, pharmacology, and toxicology, or neuroscience)
Research Topic: My project aims to isolate and identify the cell surface antigens on the rare leukemic stem cells that propagate leukemia hosted in SCID mice using flow cytometry.
Samraggi Hazra
St. George Campus
Trinity College
Currently in Social Sciences, hoping for a double major in International Relations and Ethics, Society, and Law, with a minor in Political Science
Research Topic: I will be researching health policies and health inequities in developed nations. I will analyze Canada, the United States of America, and Denmark to outline socioeconomic and political factors that contribute to disparities in health outcomes.
Shaina Sharma
St. George Campus
Trinity College
Economics major, Statistics and Political Science minors
Research Topic: How did the governments of Hungary, India, and Brazil use pandemic-related restrictions to expand their own political powers at the cost of their countries’ democracies? (Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on global democracy)
Shysta Sehgal
St. George
Victoria College
Cognitive science and computer science
Research Topic: Evaluating the drivers of women in STEM in the academy and doing a comparison of these drivers in Sweden and Hungary.
Tung Kwan Nathan Ching
St. George
Victoria College
Criminology and Sociolegal Studies, Public Policy, Political Sciences
Research Topic: How Self-Defence is used to protect Domestic Abuse Victims in Canada and other Common Law Countries.
Yusra Shafi
St. George Campus
St. Michael’s College
Psychology Specialist
Research Topic: Challenging Perceptions : ‘Positive’ Universities – Exploring student experience through Positive Psychology
2020 Scholars
Aanya Bahl
St. George Campus
University College
Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Physiology, Spanish
Research Topic: Studying the anthropogenic impact of the growth and spread of invasive species in the Galápagos.
Anne Field
St. George Campus
John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design
Bachelor of Arts, Specialist in Architectural Studies: Design of Architecture, Landscape, and Urbanism
Research Topic: Exploring the historic and ongoing intersections of architecture and music.
Areesha Siddiqui
University of Toronto Mississauga
Double major in Psychology and Anthropology with a minor in French
Research Topic: Studying homeless women in Toronto and the social and cultural processes as well as policies that affect how women are re-integrated into society.
Ashley Mutasa
University of Toronto Mississauga
Neuroscience Specialist and double minor in Statistics and Biology
Research Topic: The Friendship Bench: Grassroots intervention and the opioid crisis in Zimbabwe.
Asma Behery
University of Toronto Mississauga
Honours Bachelor of Life Sciences Program (Double Major in Biology for Health Sciences and Psychology)
Research Topic: The Synergistic Effects of Mindfulness and Relaxation Response Meditation on Perceived Stress Levels.
Avril Wang
St. George Campus
Trinity College
Molecular genetics and microbiology specialist, ecology and evolutionary biology major
Research Topic: Effects of urbanization on parasite assemblages of foxes and coyotes.
Brandon Yu
University of Toronto Scarborough
Department of Biological Sciences
Specialist in Human Biology
Research Topic: Elucidating the effects of N-acetylglucosamine on B cell activation, in hopes of better understanding the role of aberrant B cell activation in autoimmune disease.
Hend Wahdan
University of Toronto Mississauga
Double Major in Anthropology & Psychology
Research Topic: Patterns of gendered pragmatics in Egyptian Arabic: how does the preference for masculine linguistic forms differ across generations in Egypt?
Joel Ndongmi
St. George Campus
Victoria College
Political Science and English Literature
Research Topic: Researching American newspapers’ portrayal of veiled Muslim women.
Joelle Weir
University of Toronto Scarborough
Journalism
Research Topic: Looking at the Paradox of Plenty and why countries with an abundance of resources generally have lower GDPs and stunted economic growth.
Lara Wulandari
University of Toronto Mississauga
Financial Economic Specialist and Mathematics Minor
Research Topic: My research aimed at estimating Indonesia’s value of statistical life, society’s willingness to pay for a fatal risk reduction
Lucas Penny
St. George Campus
St. Michael’s College
Biochemistry and Computer Science major
Research Topic: Understanding HIV self-testing acceptability in priority populations: an analysis of integrating mobile health solutions with linkage to care in Canada
Lucy Stark
St. George Campus
University College
History and Economics
Research Topic: The implementation of “Housing First” and homelessness prevention initiatives in an international context.
Melody Chan
St. George Campus
Trinity College
Double Major in Peace, Conflict & Justice and Urban Studies
Research Topic: Filipino Migrant Domestic Workers and their Hong Kong-born Children on Home Country Return.
Michelle Wang
St. George Campus
Victoria College
Criminology and Political Science
Research Topic: Examining the political systems in China and Singapore and how their management of social media platforms shape citizen activism at the grassroots level.
Raquel Serrano
St. George Campus
Trinity College
Research Topic: Rise of the adolescent fertility rate in Ecuador
Saeeda Saeed
University of Toronto – Scarborough
Neuroscience and biochemistry
Research Topic: Factors affecting change blindness in real-world situations.
Vamika Jain
St. George Campus
Woodsworth College
International Relations, Contemporary Asian Studies and Political Science
Research Topic: From Benevolence to Harsh Refoulment: Access to Legal Rights for Refugee Populations in India.
Yeshodha Vasanth
St. George Campus
New College
Human Geography (Major), Urban Studies (Minor) and Art History (Minor)
Research Topic: Analysis of the Livelihoods of Waste-workers across the Global South.
2019 Scholars
Ali Sajid
St. George Campus
Trinity College
Economics, Statistics, and Mathematics
Research Topic: Elder Sibling Spillover Effects on Academic Achievement
Alykhan Jetha
St. George Campus
Trinity College
Economics and Mathematics
Research Topic: Deradicalization Programs for Western Islamic Terrorism
Ameer Sarwar
St. George Campus
University College
Graduate Student (Masters) Philosophy
Research Topic: Neuroscientific views of the mind
Celine Simone
St. George Campus
Daniels Faculty of Architecture
Specialist Degree in Architecture, Major in History
Research Topic: Architecture’s Role in the Rise of the Nazi Regime
Christine Sutcliffe
St. George Campus
Trinity College
Music and Art History
Research Topic: “Opera’s ‘Influencers’” The Dissemination of Opera in the Internet Age
Denise Lee
St. George Campus
University College
Economics & Environmental Science
Research Topic: The Scalability of Direct Air Capture Technologies
Emma Guyonnet
St. George Campus
New College
Physiology and Nutritional Sciences
Research Topic: Development of Empirical Dietary Inflammatory Pattern (EDIP) scores with different food groups and biomarkers
Katie Kwang
St. George Campus
Victoria College
Psychology Specialist
Research Topic: how does Islamophobia manifest and spread on Chinese social media platforms
Keenan Krause
St. George Campus
Trinity College
International Relations, Diaspora and Transnational Studies, African Studies
Research Topic: Analysing Ontario’s education policies for newcomers, focused on language learning, and exploring whether the policies adhere to Ontario’s goal of multiculturalism
Kelly Cao
St. George Campus
Woodsworth College
Rotman Commerce
Research Topic: Correlation between education and entrepreneurial intentions
Leonardo Pinna Cosenza
St. George Campus
University College
Peace, Conflict and Justice Studies
Research Topic: The influence of partisan politics in the Brazilian Bolsa Familia Program
Nubaira Forkan
St. George Campus
Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy
Doctor of Pharmacy Program
Research Topic: Identifying Diagnostic Biomarkers for Depression in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.
Ryan Marten
St. George Campus
Trinity College
Computer Science
Research Topic: Computer Vision
Sanjna Ullal
St. George Campus
Victoria College
Peace, Conflict and Justice Studies and Global Health
Research Topic: My work looked at the access-to-justice obstacles for Dalit women in urban centres in India.
Zoe Chen
St. George Campus
Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering
Engineering Science
Research Topic: Oxidative potential analysis of CHILD house dust.
The work of current and former Laidlaw Scholars can be found on the Laidlaw Scholars Network. For more information, please visit:
Frequently Asked Questions
Students who participate in the program will:
- work alongside leading researchers to develop their academic potential
- receive a generous stipend to engage in summer research, as well as many opportunities to expand leadership abilities
- receive mentoring from a specialist supervisor
- actively learn from participants and teams while managing projects
- develop transferable skills pertaining to decision-making, planning and communicating
- explore potential careers while building confidence and breadth of knowledge
- gain access to a network of like-minded peers across the University and beyond
It is possible to participate in PEY / another co-op at the same time as being a Laidlaw Scholar. However, one of the most important considerations is time over the summer. The Laidlaw Scholars Program requires that you reserve 6 weeks of the summer to conduct full time research. This research can take place at any point of the summer as long as it is done in a single stretch of time. If your co-op/PEY can work around this timeline, it is possible for you to do both.
Due to the nature of the leadership program, it is not possible for selected scholars to engage in international exchange/learning abroad opportunities while participating in the Laidlaw Scholars Program.
No. The Laidlaw Scholars Program Research Funding is a standalone funding opportunity for summer research and cannot be combined with any other scholarships or funding during the program. If you receive more than one scholarship, you will need to choose which one to accept.
Yes. It is possible for you to reach out to a research supervisor from an institution other than U of T. You will still need to follow all U of T guidelines as it pertains to summer research as you begin planning your research proposal.
No. The program is designed to encourage students in their first and second years at U of T explore their interest in independent research. While some selected scholars may have some prior experience with research, within our program, most of our scholars are first-time researchers.
Laidlaw Scholars carry out research in a variety of academic disciplines. Past research examples can be found at the Laidlaw Scholars Network website.
For any questions about the scholarship or to discuss any specifics of your research idea, please contact us at laidlaw.scholars@utoronto.ca to set up a meeting.