Undergraduate Ronald E. McNair Achievement Program

Undergraduate Ronald E. McNair Post Baccalaureate Achievement Program

The McNair Scholars Program is a Federal TRIO program designed to prepare first-generation undergraduate students for doctoral studies. The Program supports students from historically underrepresented groups who have a documented financial need and major in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, or Psychology.

This is an active program where Scholars engage in classes, seminars, and workshops related to graduate school preparation and professional development. Scholars are also compensated as they conduct summer research under the guidance of a faculty mentor. Students then have the opportunity to present their research at local, regional, or national conferences. The McNair Program staff works closely with students as they complete their undergraduate requirements and graduate school applications.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants qualify to apply to the McNair Program if they

• Intend to pursue a Ph.D. (professional degrees such as an MD, JD, MBA, PharmD, etc. are not eligible)

• Are US citizen or US permanent resident

• Are rising juniors or rising seniors by starting Summer term. A minimum 60 credits of undergraduate credits by the time of the start of their Summer Research Project/Internship.
  *Not yet at 60 credits? No problem- contact us to join our Pre-McNair Program! mcnair@fiu.edu

• Major in a Science, Technology, Engineering, Psychology, or Math (STEM) degree program. STEM Minors considered with STEM-based research.
  Majors include:
  Mathematics
  Natural Sciences
  Engineering
  Computer and information sciences
  Psychology
  Economics
  Sociology
  Political Science
  Dietetics/Nutrition
  Health Sciences Admin
  Criminal Justice

• Have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 (on a 4.00 scale)

• Be either low income* (based on family size and taxable income) and first-generation college students (neither parent or legal guardian has a Bachelor’s degree)
  AND/OR a member of a group traditionally under-represented in graduate education (e.g., Black/African- American, Latinx/Hispanic, Native American, Pacific Islander, or student with a disability).

*To find out the low-income guidelines established by the Department of Education go to: http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ope/trio/incomelevels.html

Program Benefits

• A summer stipend for Research Project/Internship

• Opportunity to conduct research under the supervision of FIU Faculty mentor or at an external REU

• Funding for materials and supplies for research project/ internship (where applicable)

• Travel funding to McNair and discipline-specific conferences across the country

• Academic, personal, and career counseling

• Graduate school preparatory workshops and seminars

• Free GRE preparation

• GRE Fee Waiver (where applicable)

• Graduate School Application Fee Waivers (where applicable)

Application materials:

ALL REQUIRED DOCUMENTS SHOULD BE SUBMITTED AS PDFs or word doc

• Brief essay (1000 words or less) describing your interest in becoming a McNair Fellow and how it will assist you with the goal of obtaining a PhD.

• Research abstract (150 word max) describing the objectives and the hypothesized outcomes of the proposed study. Please include the title and the name of your faculty advisor/mentor (if available)

• A copy of unofficial transcripts from Florida International University and other schools attended

• Complete response to supplemental questions in AcademicWorks

Priority will be given to early applicants