Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program


Application Portal Opens August 24th, 2026


The University of Wisconsin – Madison Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program (McNair Scholars Program) is an academic excellence opportunity for undergraduate students with aspiration and strong academic potential for advancing toward doctoral (Ph.D.) study upon completing the bachelor’s degree. The program creates a bridge between undergraduate and graduate education through academic, research, and scholarly experiences. Students selected for the McNair Scholars Program join a supportive community of peers, faculty, staff, and alumni. The McNair Scholars Program is housed in the Division for Teaching and Learning (DTL)

ALL MAJORS ARE WELCOME TO APPLY!

Eligibility: UW Madison undergraduate students must meet either criterion (1) OR (2), in addition to criteria (3) and (4).
Preference will be given to applicants who meet criteria #1. Applicants must be able to participate in the program for a minimum of 12 full months (i.e., anticipated graduation term of Fall 2027 or later). However, all eligible students are strongly encouraged to apply.

Notice: For the Federal TRIO programs (including McNair), in most circumstances, students under the age of 24 years are considered Dependents, regardless of their financial aid status. Please review the Independent status definitions Here.


1) First-generation college student as well as a low-income student (Current TRIO LI Levels; 34B C.F.R. §647.7, 2025).
2) Member of the federally-defined underrepresented groups in graduate education: African American, Hispanic/Latinx, American Indian (according to federal guidelines, Asian American, including Southeast Asian American are eligible under criterion 1; 34B C.F.R. §647.7, 2025)
3) A minimum cumulative Grade Point Average of 2.8 and 45 earned college credits.
4) US citizen or permanent resident


Application Checklist (Due October 1st, 2026):

Submitted through WiSH Portal:
1. Completed Application (e.g., WiSH profile)

2. Two (2) contacts for Letters of Recommendation (At least one letter must be from a tenure-track Professor or Researcher (e.g., one who holds a Ph.D.). All letter writers should be able to discuss your aptitude for research-intensive graduate studies. Writers will be provided prompts in a follow-up email after you enter their information in your application.) Letters are due on October 1st! You can submit your application before your letters are submitted since your writers will receive a separate submission link.

3. Current CV/Resume

4. Personal Statement: Please provide a personal statement (no more than 1000 words). Please consider these guidelines as you are writing this statement:

  • Why do you want to pursue a Ph.D.?
  • What are your short and long-term career goals?
  • How can the McNair Scholars Program assist you in attaining those goals?
  • Describe a personal example that shows your persistence and commitment to academic endeavors.
  • What specific research area interests you the most? Discuss any current research or a possible research topic and mentor/professor with whom you would like to work.

5. Submit a Signed Income Verification Form to the McNair Office:

These documents MUST be hand-signed; forms with electronic signatures will NOT be accepted. Applicants can drop these forms off at the McNair Office (408 Bascom Hall) or mail them to The McNair Scholars Program, Bascom Hall 408, 500 Lincoln Drive, Madison, WI 53706.
The Verification of Income Form (Found Here)

Notice: For the Federal TRIO programs (including McNair), in most circumstances, students under the age of 24 years are considered Dependents, regardless of their financial aid status. Please review the Independent status definitions Here.

Both Dependent and Independent Forms are available. The form must indicate the taxable income for the 2024 federal tax returns. DO NOT EMAIL FINANCIAL INFORMATION!! We will only accept hard copies of your financial documents. Please contact the McNair Scholars Program staff if you have any questions.

DEADLINE – October 1st, 2026

For more information about the program, please visit the McNair Scholars Program website at https://mcnair.wisc.edu/ or through email at mcnair.scholars@wisc.edu.

Award
Varies; at least $2800 per year, plus summer opportunities.
Organizations
Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program
Deadline
10/15/2026
Supplemental Questions
  1. Are you a U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident?
  2. According to the Federal TRIO eligibility, the term “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. Based on this definition, please choose one of the following:
  3. Based on my parents'/guardians' 2024 federal income tax returns, I am a low-income student according to the *taxable income* levels listed HERE. *Note: All interviewees are requred to submit the Verification of Income Form signed by a parent or guardian. Please see the landing page for more details.
  4. Financial Information
    • Are you considered a dependent or independent student? Note: For the Federal TRIO programs (including McNair), in most circumstances, students under the age of 24 years are considered Dependents, regardless of their financial aid status. More information can be found at HERE (See item "d")
    • Are you receiving financial aid?
  5. If dependent student, please answer these questions to the best of your ability. If independent, please enter n/a to each of the questions.
    • 1. On whose taxes were you claimed last year?
    • 2. What was their taxable income?
    • 3. How many exemptions did they claim?
    • 4. What is the size of your household?
  6. If independent student, please answer these questions to the best of your ability. If dependent, please enter n/a to each of the questions.
    • 1. On whose taxes were you claimed last year?
    • 2. What was your taxable income last year?
    • 3. How many exemptions did you claim?
    • 4. What is the size of your household?
  7. What are your racial/ethnic affiliations?
  8. Anticipated College Graduation Date (enter the anticipated semester: Fall, Spring, or Summer + Year YYYY):
  9. Do you plan to enroll in a research-based graduate program in the fall semester immediately after you graduate from UW-Madison?
  10. Contact Information for Two Recommendations: (At least one letter must be from a tenure-track Professor or Researcher (e.g., one who holds a Ph.D.). All letter writers should be able to discuss your aptitude for research-intensive graduate studies. Writers will be provided prompts in a follow-up email after you enter their information in your application.)
    • Please provide the name and contact information for a potential recommender. One must be a faculty member.
    • Please provide the name and contact information for a potential recommender. One must be a faculty member.
  11. Please upload your current Resume/CV (pdf format only).
  12. Please provide a personal statement (no more than 1000 words). Please consider these guidelines as you are writing this statement:
    1. Why do you want to pursue a Ph.D.?
    2. What are your short and long term career goals?
    3. How can the McNair Scholars Program assist you in attaining those goals?
    4. Describe a personal example that shows your persistence and commitment to academic endeavors.
    5. What specific research area interests you the most? Discuss any current research or a possible research topic and mentor/professor with whom you would like to work.
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