McNair Scholar Program

Yes! You can apply during the spring of your Sophomore year, for Fall admission and for admission into the Summer Research Associates Program. .

Yes! If you will be a Junior or a Senior graduating after next summer, you may apply. You will need to provide two letters of recommendation from faculty at your current institution.

Yes! You are a first-generation college student if the parent(s) who provide material support for you has (have) not graduated from college.

You will not receive academic credit for the Summer Research Fellowship. Rather, you will receive a $2400 stipend and a $1700 housing stipend. For the Summer Research Associate Program, you will receive 2-credits for your 10 hours of faculty research support and one 90-minute class session with the other McNair Research Associates. Furthermore, the McNair Scholars Program will pay for your summer tuition, for this course.

Yes! You may use your summer stipend to fund research travel. In addition, you can apply for funding assistance from the Office of Undergraduate Research (up to $500) and the Student Academic Senate (up to $200). The McNair Office also has limited additional funds available, for which you can make a formal request.

At this time, you would be responsible for the extra tuition. However, you may want to way the benefits of the McNair Scholars Program against your current schedule, and consider taking one of your current courses in a later term.

The best known research doctorate title awarded in the United States is the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.). However, there are a number of other doctoral titles that enjoy the same status and represent variants of the Ph.D. within certain fields. See the complete list of NSF recognized doctoral degrees on our links page.