The McNair Scholars Program is a competitive program funded by the U.S. Department of Education to prepare university juniors and seniors who are low-income, first generation, and/or underrepresented in graduate education for doctoral education. This program assists students in the attainment of their educational, professional, and personal goals through participation in research and other academic/scholarly activities.

Named for physicist and astronaut Dr. Ronald E. McNair, the program was designed to increase Ph.D. awards for students from underrepresented/underserved segments of society. McNair Scholars are undergraduates preparing for doctoral studies through involvement in a summer research internship and other scholarly activities.

APPLICATIONS

  •  Priority Deadline Nov. 3, 2025 - General Application Closes Dec. 1, 2025
  • APPLICATION NOW OPEN

McNair Scholars 2026 Application 

Program Eligibility

  • First-generation college student AND low-income OR a member of an ethnic or racial minority group underrepresented in graduate school including African Americans, Hispanics, Native Americans (or native Alaskans, Hawaiians or American Pacific Islanders)
  • UTA GPA of 3.0
  • Citizen or Permanent Resident
  • Full-time sophomore, junior or senior (seeking first bachelor's degree)
  • Sincere desire to pursue the PhD (not professional degrees such as MD, DO, JD, etc.)
  • Enrolled at least through the fall semester after McNair Summer Research Internship

What are the Benefits of McNair Scholars?

  • Research and scholarly opportunities at UTA and across the country
  • Seminars and other educational activities for doctoral studies
  • Graduate Record Examination (GRE) preparation
  • Academic counseling
  • Tutoring
  • Mentoring with faculty, staff, and individuals from the community
  • Cultural enhancement opportunities
  • University and college campus visits, and tours
  • Professional conference presentation opportunities
  • Graduate school application assistance

What Will I Be Doing During the Summer?

A major component of the McNair program is the Summer Research Internship, which takes place during the summer (late May - early August) between the junior and senior year. Scholars, who receive a stipend of $4,000, are required to participate in this aspect of the program, as it is crucial to developing their knowledge and research skills in preparation for graduate study. 

UTA McNair Scholars Online Journal 

Contact Us

Do you have more questions? Please contact The Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR) at [email protected] or schedule an appointment using our Booking Advising system.

UTA McNair Scholars: Facebook Link

The McNair Scholars Program came to UTA in 1989-1990 and has been refunded continuously since its arrival. The first grant was written by Kathryn Head, former director of what was then known as SOAR (Students Obtaining Academic Readiness). Over the years the program has worked with many bright and hard-working students who have gone on to acquire graduate degrees and often enter the teaching profession.