McNair Scholars

The 2026-27 application is now open. We welcome applications from academically strong first generation college students who meet TRiO income and other eligibility criteria listed below. Completed applications submitted by the priority deadline of November 1 are guarranteed consideration for one of 12 slots for new participants this year. Applications submitted after November 1 will be accepted, but are at risk for not being reviewed.   

Why apply for McNair? We offer eligible undergraduates support to pursue a doctorate, starting with a paid summer research internship ($2800 plus summer housing, meals, and free tuition for MCNR 300). Once selected, we work with each McNair participant to prepare them to conduct high quality research with a faculty mentor who holds a doctorate in a related field. Then, we support each McNair Scholar through the remainder their undergraduate career to help them with every step of finding, getting into, funding, and succeeding in doctoral programs. All majors are welcome. Winthrop McNair Scholars present their research at professional conferences and many have earned national awards for their presentations. Learn about our outstanding Scholars’ summer research projects here.

Since January 2025, all new participants selected for the program meet the TRiO first gen and low-income criteria in addition to other academic, federal, and program eligibility criteria. Application details and links to the forms are below.

  • Part 2 - Complete and submit Part 2 of the application online here. 
    Here are the application components you will submit in Part 2. Descriptions are included in the form here. 
    • Names of Recommenders
    • Statement of Purpose
    • Unofficial Transcript 
    • Income Documentation
    • Writing Sample
    • Summer research project plan (check out "Summer Research" to see examples of previous McNair projects)
    • Agreements 
     
  • Two Recommendations: Ask two professional references to complete and submit the recommendation form here https://tinyurl.com/McNairREC. At least one of the two references should be a faculty member who has evaluated your work as a college student in your major.

 

Are you eligible to be a Winthrop McNair Scholar?

If you are interested in Winthrop's McNair Scholars Program, but do not know if you are eligible, complete the online survey or e-mail mcnair@winthrop.edu to inquire about your eligibility.

Apply if you can say "yes" to all of the following.

  • I am a strong student interested in pursuing a doctorate or other post-baccalaureate degree. 
  • I am a U.S. Citizen, permanent resident, or in the United States for other than a temporary purpose and provides evidence from the Immigration and Naturalization Service of his or her intent to become a permanent resident; or a permanent resident of Guam, or the Northern Mariana Islands; or a resident of one of the Freely Associated States.
  • I am a low-income individual and a first-generation college student.* 
  • I am available to participate in the Winthrop McNair Summer Research Experience all day every weekday mid-May through mid-July; including possible conference travel to present research in June (the program covers expenses for participants traveling on McNair business).
  • I have a GPA of 3.0 or better and am completing a bachelor's degree at a college or university in SC.
  • I will have earned at least 54 credit hours before the beginning of next summer.
  • I will graduate December 2027 or later.

*(1) The TRiO definition of a low-income individual who is a first-generation college student is    

  • Low-income individual means an individual whose family's taxable income did not exceed 150 percent of the poverty level in the calendar year preceding the year in which the individual participates in the project. Poverty level income is determined by using criteria of poverty established by the Bureau of the Census of the U.S. Department of Commerce. (See Federal TRIO Programs Current-Year Low-Income Levels | U.S. Department of Education)
  • First-generation college student means—(1) A student neither of whose natural or adoptive parents received a baccalaureate degree; or (2) A student who, prior to the age of 18, regularly resided with and received support from only one parent, and whose supporting parent did not receive a baccalaureate degree. (3) An individual who, prior to the age of 18, did not regularly reside with or receive support from a natural or an adoptive parent.

Eligible Winthrop sophomores, juniors, and seniors, as well as transfer students and undergraduates from other four-year SC institutions are encouraged to apply. In addition to Winthrop students, our program has served students at Clemson, Coastal Carolina, College of Charleston, Columbia College, Limestone, and Wofford.  

To learn more about the program, eligibility, or interest in attending an Info Session, contact the program at mcnair@winthrop.edu.