McNair Scholars

The call for 2018-19 applications is closed. Information about applying to the program is available here. Eligible sophomores and juniors at Winthrop and other SC universities are encouraged to apply. So far, Winthrop's program has served students at Winthrop, Clemson, College of Charleston, Columbia College, Limestone, and Wofford.

About the Program

The Winthrop McNair Scholars Program prepares first generation, low-income, and underrepresented undergraduates to be successful in PhD programs by providing research, extensive support, and transformational opportunities throughout the junior and senior years. Winthrop's program includes, but is not limited to, a paid summer research experience, faculty mentoring, workshops, GRE and graduate school application preparation, and travel to present research and explore graduate programs.

Winthrop’s program is funded by a five-year renewable TRiO grant from the U.S. Department of Education. $242,136 in federal funding is provided each year for programming and materials that will help 30 eligible students prepare for graduate study. This represents 72% of program costs. Winthrop contributes the remaining 28% of the budget with approximately $94,000 in cash and in-kind matches.

To learn more about the impact of Winthrop's Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program, check out this 2017 article in the Winthrop Magazine.

For a fun look at what our Scholars and Alumni are doing, visit our latest newsletter.

To learn about our Scholars' award winning research, see Scholar Monejah Black's story, visit our summer research page, or check out http://digitalcommons.winthrop.edu/mcnair/.