Intro

Thank you for your interest in the University of Florida (UF) Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program, also known as the McNair Scholars Program. McNair is a federal TRIO program funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Education. Our mission is to provide enriching scholastic experiences that prepare eligible students to become successful applicants to competitive graduate programs with the ultimate goal of earning a research doctorate. The McNair program has been at UF since 1995 and has helped to produce over 100 PhDs. 

As a McNair Scholar, you will benefit from a variety of services, including:

• Faculty-mentored research experience
• An extensive network of support
• Academic counseling
• Assistance with applying to graduate school
• Travel opportunities

Join a community of scholars dedicated to academic excellence and personal growth. With over 200 McNair programs across the U.S., you will be part of a nationwide network committed to your success.

To be eligible for the UF McNair Scholars Program, applicants must meet ALL of the federal criteria below (as defined in the Code of Federal Regulations):

• Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
• Be a first-generation college student
• Meet the income requirements

In addition, an applicant must also:

• Be an undergraduate student enrolled full-time at UF
• Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0
• Have earned at least 60 credits before the beginning of the Summer 2025 semester
• Expect to graduate in Spring 2026 or later
• Demonstrate potential to conduct scholarly research
• Plan to continue immediately to graduate school and persist to earn a PhD*

*Please note that the McNair Scholars Program is not open to students who are only interested in earning a Master's degree or a professional degree, e.g. MD, JD, DVM, PharmD, PsyD, DNP, etc.

Ethnicity

Race (confirm all that apply)

Eligibility

The questions in this section are used to determine your eligibility to participate in the McNair Scholars Program based on federal guidelines established by the U.S. Department of Education.

Citizenship

Other Eligibility Criteria

Please confirm each of the statements below that apply to you by selecting "yes" or "no."

**The current-year Federal TRIO Programs low-income levels can be found here: https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ope/trio/incomelevels.html

The current-year Federal TRIO Programs low-income levels can be found here: https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ope/trio/incomelevels.html 

McNair is a federally funded program that requires income verification to comply with U.S. Department of Education regulations. Eligibility for participation in McNair is based, in part, on household income from the prior tax year. Please answer the questions below and download the Income Verification Form (link below) to be completed by you (independent student) or your parent/guardian (dependent student).

Students who are invited to the next stage of the application process must submit this form at the time of the interview.

UF McNair Income Verification Form

Are you an independent or dependent student based on definitions set forth by the Office of Federal Student Aid?

If you have questions about your status, visit https://studentaid.gov/apply-for-aid/fafsa/filling-out/dependency or contact the UF Office of Student Financial Affairs at https://sfa.ufl.edu.

Major

GPA

If you have already started to explore graduate schools, list up to three institutions that you are considering. (optional)

Research Information

Faculty-mentored research is the cornerstone of the McNair Scholars Program model, and all newly selected participants must have a confirmed research mentor by the end of March. It is therefore strongly recommended that students identify a research mentor prior to applying to the program.

Note: The UF Center for Undergraduate Research has resources to assist students with finding a mentor and research project. Visit http://cur.aa.ufl.edu or call (352) 846-3222 for more information.

List any research methods classes you have taken or are currently enrolled in, if applicable. Include both the course number & course name.

Personal Statement

Please provide a personal statement describing your interest in the McNair Scholars
Program (2 pages max, 1-inch margins, 11 or 12 pt font, double-spaced). We are particularly interested in your personal/family background, your educational and research experiences, your passion for your intended field of study, and your career objectives. We advise you to carefully draft this statement after thoughtful planning.

Address the following (in any order) within the body of your personal statement:

• Your motivation for pursuing a doctoral degree in your field of interest
• Why you believe that becoming a McNair Scholar is necessary to help you successfully apply for and transition into graduate school
• Your prior research experience, if applicable, and your research interests for graduate school
• Your career goals and the contributions you wish to make to your field and community with a Ph.D.

Note: If you recently submitted a personal statement to apply for a summer research program, you may use or revise the same statement to apply for McNair.

Include your name and UFID in the top right-hand corner of each page.

McNair Scholars must give their full attention to research and other program activities during the 10-week Summer Research Internship in order to have the most successful experience. It is expected that students not take classes, work, or take on additional responsibilities during this period.

Please submit a current copy of your resume that highlights the following:

• Academic, campus, and/or community organizations and activities in which you hold membership or participate
• Current and previous research experience
• Academic and extracurricular awards, honors, and scholarships received

Each applicant must have TWO recommendations.

One recommendation must come from a faculty member (professor, associate professor, assistant professor, lecturer) who can best assess your academic work, research potential, and your motivation to attend graduate school.

The second recommendation can come from another supporter (faculty, staff, program director, personal mentor, adviser, employer, etc.).

If you are a first-year transfer student, you may obtain recommendations from faculty/staff at your previous institution.

List the two individuals who have agreed to provide a recommendation on your behalf in the space provided below. Include their details and their relationship to you (e.g., instructor for two classes, research mentor, advisor, work supervisor, etc.).

Reference 1

Reference 2

Recommendation Instructions

Complete and sign the Recommendation Cover Sheet & Waiver document. Send the signed document to the two individuals you listed above along with the Recommendation Form. You may download these forms using the links below.

UF McNair Recommendation Cover Sheet & Waiver Form

UF McNair Recommendation Form

Your references should complete the Recommendation Form and submit BOTH documents directly to the McNair Scholars Program via email by the application deadline.

Application Submission Agreement

By typing my full name below, signing, and submitting this form, I confirm my agreement with all of the following statements in reference to my application to the University of Florida (UF) McNair Scholars Program:

I certify that all information and documents submitted as part of my application are true and accurate to the best of my knowledge.

I understand and agree that this application will not be valid if information is withheld or misinformation is given, and that admission to the UF McNair Scholars Program through an invalid application may be cancelled or denied.

I understand that all credentials and documents submitted with this application become the property of the UF McNair Scholars Program and will not be returned to me.

I understand that I will be asked to provide additional documentation to verify some or all of the statements I have enclosed in this application.

I hereby authorize the UF McNair Scholars Program to obtain my educational, financial aid, and other records that may be pertinent for the purposes of verifying my eligibility and aiding in my potential selection for the program.

I understand that only students whose applications are complete will be considered for participation in the UF McNair Scholars Program.

I understand that, if I am accepted into the UF McNair Scholars Program, I will be expected to participate in all required program activities and take full advantage of all support and resources available to me as a UF McNair Scholar until I graduate.

I understand that federal regulations require the UF McNair Scholars Program staff to track and report on the educational progress and post-baccalaureate achievement of all participants for at least 10 years after completion of the bachelor's degree.

I agree that, if I am selected as a participant, the UF McNair Scholars Program may continue to obtain my educational records and other necessary information for the purposes of providing services, tracking my progress, and making reports to the U.S. Department of Education.