McNair Scholars

If you want to pursue a doctorate and would like to conduct undergraduate research, see if you are eligible for Winthrop’s McNair Scholars Program. We offer 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.

While the deadline to ensure consideration for this year has passed, we encourage interested and eligible first generation college students who meet the TRiO income criteria to complete and submit both parts of the McNair application and ask faculty to submit recommendations on their behalf.  Application details and links to the forms are below.

  • Part 2 - Part 2 includes the Applicant Form available for download at the link below. Submit all application materials via e-mail to mcnair@winthrop.edu or in an envelope to the Program office (McNair Scholars Program, 104 Dinkins Hall, Winthrop University, Rock Hill, SC 29733). If you are looking for ideas for the research plan, check out "Summer Research" to see examples of recent McNair research projects and awards.  
  • Two Recommendations: See information about references on page 2 of the Application Part II Form (above). Ask two professional references to complete and submit the recommendation form here https://tinyurl.com/McNairREC. At least one of the two references must be a faculty member who has evaluated your work as a college student. 

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 ASAP or e-mail mcnair@winthrop.edu to inquire about your eligibility.

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

  • I am interested in pursuing a doctorate or a master's degree. 
  • I am a U.S. Citizen, permanent resident, or meet another citizenship requirement.*
  • I am either or both
    • A low-income individual* who is a first-generation college student* OR
    • A college student from a group underrepresented in graduate education*
  • I am available to participate in the Winthrop McNair Summer Research Experience all day every weekday May 14 - July 18, 2025; 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 the next summer.
  • I will graduate December 2025 or later.

*Visit the relevant Code of Federal Regulations (34 CFR 647.3 and 647.7) at this link and this link to see federal eligibility criteria and key definitions. At least two-thirds of every cohort of McNair participants must meet the first generation AND low-income criteria. The remaining participants must be from a group that is underrepresented in graduate education. 

(1) A low-income individual who is a first-generation college student;   

  • 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.
  • 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.

(2) A member of a group that is underrepresented in graduate education; Here, eligibility is specified in 34 CFR 647.3 and defined in § 647.7. The authorizing U.S. Code, last downloaded 02/16/2025, is available here https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCODE-2023-title20/pdf/USCODE-2023-title20-chap28-subchapIV-partA-subpart2-divsn1-sec1070a-15.pdf. The relevant CFRs were last downloaded 2/16/2025 from https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-34/subtitle-B/chapter-VI/part-647/subpart-A/section-647.3 and https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-34/subtitle-B/chapter-VI/part-647/subpart-A/section-647.7

Eligible sophomores, juniors, and Seniors at Winthrop and other SC colleges and universities are encouraged to apply. In addition to Winthrop students, our program has served students at Clemson, College of Charleston, Columbia College, Limestone, and Wofford, so far.  

To learn more about the program or your eligibility after you have reviewed this website, join one of our drop-in sessions or contact the program at mcnair@winthrop.edu. Please contact mcnair@winthrop.edu if you are interested in arranging or attending a Winthrop McNair info session. You can also learn about the program by checking out our program flyer.