Center for Diversity and Inclusion (CDI)
A black woman student with braided hair holds a fluid filled bottle next to a machine while an asian faculty mentor observes. Both are wearing protective eyewear.
McNair Scholars Program

Because Dr. looks good on you.

McNair Scholars Program

The McNair Scholars Program provides eligible undergraduates with critical research experiences, as well as assistance with the graduate school application process. The McNair Program supports Scholars by focusing on three areas: academic research, graduate school preparation, and personal and professional development.

Program Benefits

The following activities are planned for students participating in the McNair Scholars Program:

  • McNair Summer Research Internship: receive a stipend for research during 8 weeks at MTU.
  • Undergraduate research with a professor during the academic year: earn stipend for approved research.
  • Seminars led by faculty and McNair staff to assist with graduate school preparation.
  • Graduate Record Examination (GRE) preparation.
  • Counseling to identify financial aid for graduate school, including assistantships and fellowships.
  • Assistance completing graduate school applications and writing effective personal statements.
  • Supported attendance at national and regional research conferences.
  • Campus visits to other graduate school programs.
  • Mentoring from faculty and McNair Staff.
  • Tutoring for courses and development of writing skills.
  • Graduate school application fee waivers.
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How do I apply?

Step 1—Attend an Info Session (in-person or virtual) 

Register and attend an info session for more information on the program. McNair Program Info Sessions are scheduled for each partner institution. More options will be available.

Michigan Technological University

  • January 18, 2-3 pm, Memorial Union Building, Ballroom A1 (Virtual Option Available)
  • January 24, 2-3 pm, Memorial Union Building, Alumni Lounge (Virtual Option Available)

Bay Mills Community College

Keweenaw Bay Ojibwa Community College

Step 2—Interviews are Scheduled

After attending an Info Session, you will complete a short eligibility application and, if eligible, we will email you to schedule a virtual interview. Only applicants who have completed a virtual interview with the McNair Scholars Director can move on to step three.

Step 3—Complete your application.

If you are selected to the final round, you will receive and need to complete an application packet for verification and final review. All application packets MUST include the following:

  • Completed McNair application.
  • 350-word essay explaining your plan to earn a PhD.
  • The names and complete contact info for two references. One MUST be a teaching faculty member at your current college or university. The other may be faculty, advisor, counselor, or work supervisor.
  • Copy of most recent Income Tax Return.
  • Copy of most recent Student Aid Report (SAR), available from your Financial Aid Office.

Who is eligible?

To be accepted into the program, you must meet one of the following two requirements:

Be a low-income and first-generation college student, or

Be from an underrepresented ethnic/racial minority group (Black, Hispanic/Latine/x, American Indian, Alaskan Native, Native Hawaiian, or Native American Pacific Islander).

In addition, you must meet all of the following requirements:

  • have a strong desire to obtain a PhD or other doctoral degree;
  • be willing to participate in all McNair sponsored activities/events;
  • commit to a summer research internship and ongoing research until graduation;
  • be a US citizen or permanent resident;
  • be a full-time undergraduate student at Michigan Technological University, Bay Mills Community College, or Keweenaw Bay Ojibwa Community College;
  • successfully completed at least 60 credit-hours before summer research internship begins (be heading into your junior or senior year in the upcoming fall); and
  • be in good academic standing.

Want to apply?

  • 1
    Attend an Info Session. 
  • 2
    Schedule an virtual interview.
  • 3
    Fill out the application.
    We'll send it after your interview!

McNair Scholars Program Events

  • 15+
    dedicated research and networking conferences for McNair Scholars
  • $2,400
    stipend for summer research at Michigan Tech
  • 1:1
    mentorship from a faculty member