In 2007, the ESU celebrated its 37th year of enabling select students attending United Negro College Fund institutions, Hampton University, or Howard University to spend their junior year at a British university of their choice through the unique, merit-based Luard Scholarship Program. The outstanding students who are chosen to become Luard Scholars receive full tuition for a junior year of study plus a stipend to cover travel and living expenses.

"I find it difficult to imagine my post-college career having followed the path it has taken without the influence of the seminal year I was fortunate enough to spend at The London School of Economics; a year made possible by the Luard Scholarship. Its continuing impact upon me has been profound."

Laurence Morse, Luard Scholar 1971-72

Since the inaugural 1969-70 academic year, 65 Luard Scholars have performed with distinction at 18 different British universities, including Oxford University, Cambridge University, Edinburgh University, Nottingham University, and the London School of Economics and Political Science. They have served as exemplary unofficial ambassadors both for the United States while abroad, and for the unique value of international exchange and British higher education upon returning home.

The Luard Scholarship is open to students in all disciplines, and has been awarded to students majoring in economics, finance, mathematics, liberal arts, and the sciences. In every year of the program, each scholar has been placed by the ESU in the British university of his or her choice.

"My time at Cambridge has been of great importance in the grand scheme of what I hope to accomplish in my life, which is raising the quality of international development in the world... I have fully taken advantage of the resources here, both literary and human, and have learned a great deal. "

James Dessin, Luard Scholar 2005-2006