- 2025 Federal TRIO Programs Current-Year Low-Income Levels
- Letter to TRIO and GEAR UP programs' project directors about an ED and HHS collaborative for disconnected youth (MS Word, 76k)
Program Office: Federal TRIO Programs
CFDA Number: 84.217A
Program Type: Discretionary/Competitive Grants
Also Known As: McNair, TRIO (McNair is one of eight TRIO programs.)
Through a grant competition, funds are awarded to institutions of higher education to prepare eligible participants for doctoral studies through involvement in research and other scholarly activities. Participants are from disadvantaged backgrounds and have demonstrated strong academic potential. Institutions work closely with participants as they complete their undergraduate requirements. Institutions encourage participants to enroll in graduate programs and then track their progress through to the successful completion of advanced degrees. The goal is to increase the attainment of Ph.D. degrees by students from underrepresented segments of society.
All McNair projects must provide the following activities: opportunities for research or other scholarly activities; summer internships; seminars and other educational activities designed to prepare students for doctoral study; tutoring; academic counseling; and activities designed to assist students participating in the project in securing admission to and financial assistance for enrollment in graduate programs. McNair projects may also provide the following additional activities: education or counseling services designed to improve financial and economic literacy of students; mentoring programs involving faculty members at institutions of higher education or students, or any combination of such persons; and exposure to cultural events and academic programs not usually available to disadvantaged students.
Who May Apply: Institutions of higher education and combinations of institutions of higher education
Students who qualify for McNair must be enrolled in a degree-granting program at an eligible institution. In all projects, at least two-thirds of the participants must be low-income, potential first-generation college students. The remaining participants may be from groups that are underrepresented in graduate education.
Timeline
Current Competition: FY 2022
Applications available: March 9, 2022
Application deadline: April 25, 2022
Federal Register Notices
Notice Inviting Applications for New Awards for FY 2022 dated March 9, 2022 | PDF
Current Application
FY 2022 McNair Application Instructions: MS Word (302K)
All applicants are required to submit an application online through Grants.gov. Grants.gov is a single access point for over 1,000 grant programs offered by federal and other grant-making agencies.
Through Grants.gov you will be able to download a copy of the application package, complete it offline, and then upload and submit your application. You must search for the downloadable application package for this program by the CFDA number 84.217. If you experience problems submitting your application through Grants.gov, refer to the Support page and/or contact the Grants.gov Support Desk, toll free, at 1-800-518-4726. For program-specific questions, contact the program office below.
If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) or a text telephone (TTY), call the Federal Relay Service (FRS), toll free, at 1-800-877-8339. Individuals with disabilities can obtain a copy of the application package in an accessible format (e.g., braille, large print, audiotape, or compact disc) by contacting the program contact person listed in this section.
Application Contacts
Carmen Gordon, 202-453-7311
Office of Federal TRIO Programs
U. S. Department of Education, OPE
400 Maryland Avenue, S.W.
Washington, DC 20202
E-mail: OPE_TRIO@ed.gov
The information below highlights award history information at both the program and project levels.
Program-Level
The program-level information shows historical funding allocation, number of awards, number of participants, average award, average number of participants and average cost per participant for fiscal years 2001 through 2024.
FY 2001-2024 Ronald E. McNair Baccalaureate Achievement Program Funding History: PDF (102K)
Project-Level
The project-level information provides funding allocation and number of participants by project for fiscal years 2021 through 2025.
FY 2025: Projects funded for 2025-26: PDF (76K)
FY 2024: Projects funded for 2024-25: PDF (142K)
FY 2023: Projects funded for 2023-24: MS Excel (20K)
FY 2022: Projects funded for 2022-23: MS Excel (20K)
FY 2021: Projects funded for 2021-22: MS Excel (19K)
GPRA Reports
The U.S Department of Education's annual Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA) report for the Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement (McNair) program contains outcome data for two measures: graduate school enrollment and graduate school persistence. In addition, but not a GPRA measure, the narrative report and accompanying tables provide program level annual completion rates for the doctorate degree attainment (Table 3: Completion). To obtain the narrative report and/or data tables, click on the link(s) below.
Grantee-Level Performance Results: 2021-22
- Narrative Report: PDF (374K)
- Data Tables: MS Excel (53K)
Grantee-Level Performance Results: 2022-23
- Narrative Report: PDF (373K)
- Data Tables: MS Excel (70K)
Legislation
- Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended; Title IV, Part A, Subpart 2, Chapter 1, Sec. 402D; 20 U.S.C. 1070a-14
MS Word (217K) | PDF (188K) - Legislation for SSS Grant Aid MS Word (22K)
Regulations
- Official Final Regulations Amending TRIO Regulations, as published in the Federal Register on October 26, 2010. These final regulations amend the McNair program regulations. [ PDF]
- Title 34 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 647
- Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) 34 CFR Parts 74, 75, 77, 79, 82, 85, 86, 97, 98, and 99
- Uniform Guidance Information for ED Grantees -- Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards: The Department has worked closely with the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to streamline some federal circulars into a single guidance document, and make conforming changes to Department regulations. The old rules do not change — they are simply repackaged and enhanced to reduce burden on grantees. The new combined document is known as the "Uniform Guidance" and is codified at 2 CFR 200. The new guidance will take effect for recipients of Federal funds for awards made on or after December 26, 2014. The new regulations do not impact any Department of Education awards received prior to this date.
- Current Low-Income Levels
- Prior-Year Low-Income Levels
- Office of Postsecondary Education (OPE) Applicant and Grantee Resources
Reports
- Fast Facts Report for the Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program: 2019-20 PDF (1.1M)
- Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program: 2002-05 Facts and Figures at a Glance PDF (261K) | MS Word (785K)
- A Profile of the Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program: 1997-1998 Through 2001-2002 MS Word (586K) | PDF (382K)
- A Profile of the Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program: 1999-00 PDF (382K)
- A Profile of the Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program: 1998-99 PDF (606K)
Key Staff
ReShone More, Ph.D.,
Division Director, (202) 453-7624
reshone.moore@ed.gov
Mailing Address:
Federal TRIO Programs
U.S. Department of Education, OPE
Higher Education Programs
Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program
400 Maryland Avenue, S.W.
Mail Stop LBJ 2- 261-05
Washington, DC 20202
E-mail: OPE_TRIO@ed.gov
Student Service Organizational Directory
Staff Assignments by State
| Program Specialist | State Assignment |
|---|---|
| Carmen Gordon, Program Lead 202-453-7311 carmen.gordon@ed.gov | Arkansas, California, Florida, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Vermont, Washington |
| Eric Lange, Ed.D. 202-453-5882 eric.lange@ed.gov | Alaska, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Kentucky, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, Nevada, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Wisconsin, Wyoming |
| Rebecca Ell 202-453-6348 rebecca.ell@ed.gov | Arizona, Colorado, Delaware, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Hampshire, Oregon, Utah, West Virginia |
| Suzanne Ulmer 202-453-7691 suzanne.ulmer@ed.gov | Alabama, Georgia, Illinois, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia |
 | Select a link below to jump to the relevant page section. |
- What is the purpose of the McNair program?
- What kinds of activities can be supported with grant funds?
- How often are competitions generally held?
- What is the duration of the average grant?
- What is the average annual grant amount?
- Is there a cost matching requirement? If so, are in-kind contributions acceptable as part of the grantee's match?
- What are the reporting requirements for grantees? What kind of records and data should be maintained or collected in order to complete required reports?
- Are there program-wide performance measures?
- What are a few concrete examples of allowable activities?
1. What is the purpose of the McNair program?
The purpose of the Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement (McNair) Program is to award grants to institutions of higher education for projects designed to provide disadvantaged college students with effective preparation for doctoral study.
TOP
2. What kinds of activities can be supported with grant funds?
All McNair projects must provide the following activities: opportunities for research or other scholarly activities; summer internships; seminars and other educational activities designed to prepare students for doctoral study; tutoring; academic counseling; and activities designed to assist students participating in the project in securing admission to and financial assistance for enrollment in graduate programs.
McNair projects may also provide the following additional activities: education or counseling services designed to improve financial and economic literacy of students; mentoring programs involving faculty members at institutions of higher education or students, or any combination of such persons; and exposure to cultural activities.
TOP
3. How often are competitions generally held?
Competitions for new awards are held every five years.
TOP
4. What is the duration of the average grant?
All McNair Program grant awards are made for five-year grant award cycles.
TOP
5. What is the average annual grant amount?
The average McNair Program grant is approximately $220,000 per year to provide services to a minimum of 24 students per year.
TOP
6. Is there a cost matching requirement? If so, are in-kind contributions acceptable as part of the grantee's match?
There is no cost matching requirement for the McNair Program.
TOP
7. What are the reporting requirements for grantees? What kind of records and data should be maintained or collected in order to complete required reports?
All McNair Program grantees are required to submit an annual performance report documenting the number of McNair participants who complete research or other scholarly activities and continue in their undergraduate program or enroll in a graduate program in the subsequent academic year; who attain baccalaureate degrees; who enroll in postbaccalaureate programs; and who attain doctoral degrees. The Department of Education will aggregate the data provided in the annual performance reports from all grantees to determine the accomplishment level.
TOP
8. Are there program-wide performance measures?
The specific performance measure for the McNair Program is the increase in the percentage of McNair Program participants who enroll in and persist in graduate school.
TOP
9. What are a few concrete examples of allowable activities?
Research or other scholarly activities; summer internships; seminars; tutoring; academic counseling; and activities designed to assist students participating in the project in securing admission to and financial assistance for enrollment in graduate programs; education or counseling services designed to improve financial and economic literacy of students; mentoring programs involving faculty members at institutions of higher education or students; and exposure to cultural activities.
- 2025 Federal TRIO Programs Current-Year Low-Income Levels
- Letter to TRIO and GEAR UP programs' project directors about an ED and HHS collaborative for disconnected youth (MS Word, 76k)
Program Office: Federal TRIO Programs
CFDA Number: 84.217A
Program Type: Discretionary/Competitive Grants
Also Known As: McNair, TRIO (McNair is one of eight TRIO programs.)
Through a grant competition, funds are awarded to institutions of higher education to prepare eligible participants for doctoral studies through involvement in research and other scholarly activities. Participants are from disadvantaged backgrounds and have demonstrated strong academic potential. Institutions work closely with participants as they complete their undergraduate requirements. Institutions encourage participants to enroll in graduate programs and then track their progress through to the successful completion of advanced degrees. The goal is to increase the attainment of Ph.D. degrees by students from underrepresented segments of society.
All McNair projects must provide the following activities: opportunities for research or other scholarly activities; summer internships; seminars and other educational activities designed to prepare students for doctoral study; tutoring; academic counseling; and activities designed to assist students participating in the project in securing admission to and financial assistance for enrollment in graduate programs. McNair projects may also provide the following additional activities: education or counseling services designed to improve financial and economic literacy of students; mentoring programs involving faculty members at institutions of higher education or students, or any combination of such persons; and exposure to cultural events and academic programs not usually available to disadvantaged students.
Who May Apply: Institutions of higher education and combinations of institutions of higher education
Students who qualify for McNair must be enrolled in a degree-granting program at an eligible institution. In all projects, at least two-thirds of the participants must be low-income, potential first-generation college students. The remaining participants may be from groups that are underrepresented in graduate education.
Timeline
Current Competition: FY 2022
Applications available: March 9, 2022
Application deadline: April 25, 2022
Federal Register Notices
Notice Inviting Applications for New Awards for FY 2022 dated March 9, 2022 | PDF
Current Application
FY 2022 McNair Application Instructions: MS Word (302K)
All applicants are required to submit an application online through Grants.gov. Grants.gov is a single access point for over 1,000 grant programs offered by federal and other grant-making agencies.
Through Grants.gov you will be able to download a copy of the application package, complete it offline, and then upload and submit your application. You must search for the downloadable application package for this program by the CFDA number 84.217. If you experience problems submitting your application through Grants.gov, refer to the Support page and/or contact the Grants.gov Support Desk, toll free, at 1-800-518-4726. For program-specific questions, contact the program office below.
If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) or a text telephone (TTY), call the Federal Relay Service (FRS), toll free, at 1-800-877-8339. Individuals with disabilities can obtain a copy of the application package in an accessible format (e.g., braille, large print, audiotape, or compact disc) by contacting the program contact person listed in this section.
Application Contacts
Carmen Gordon, 202-453-7311
Office of Federal TRIO Programs
U. S. Department of Education, OPE
400 Maryland Avenue, S.W.
Washington, DC 20202
E-mail: OPE_TRIO@ed.gov
The information below highlights award history information at both the program and project levels.
Program-Level
The program-level information shows historical funding allocation, number of awards, number of participants, average award, average number of participants and average cost per participant for fiscal years 2001 through 2024.
FY 2001-2024 Ronald E. McNair Baccalaureate Achievement Program Funding History: PDF (102K)
Project-Level
The project-level information provides funding allocation and number of participants by project for fiscal years 2021 through 2025.
FY 2025: Projects funded for 2025-26: PDF (76K)
FY 2024: Projects funded for 2024-25: PDF (142K)
FY 2023: Projects funded for 2023-24: MS Excel (20K)
FY 2022: Projects funded for 2022-23: MS Excel (20K)
FY 2021: Projects funded for 2021-22: MS Excel (19K)
GPRA Reports
The U.S Department of Education's annual Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA) report for the Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement (McNair) program contains outcome data for two measures: graduate school enrollment and graduate school persistence. In addition, but not a GPRA measure, the narrative report and accompanying tables provide program level annual completion rates for the doctorate degree attainment (Table 3: Completion). To obtain the narrative report and/or data tables, click on the link(s) below.
Grantee-Level Performance Results: 2021-22
- Narrative Report: PDF (374K)
- Data Tables: MS Excel (53K)
Grantee-Level Performance Results: 2022-23
- Narrative Report: PDF (373K)
- Data Tables: MS Excel (70K)
Legislation
- Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended; Title IV, Part A, Subpart 2, Chapter 1, Sec. 402D; 20 U.S.C. 1070a-14 MS Word (217K) | PDF (188K)
- Legislation for SSS Grant Aid MS Word (22K)
Regulations
- Official Final Regulations Amending TRIO Regulations, as published in the Federal Register on October 26, 2010. These final regulations amend the McNair program regulations. [ PDF]
- Title 34 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 647
- Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) 34 CFR Parts 74, 75, 77, 79, 82, 85, 86, 97, 98, and 99
- Uniform Guidance Information for ED Grantees -- Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards: The Department has worked closely with the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to streamline some federal circulars into a single guidance document, and make conforming changes to Department regulations. The old rules do not change — they are simply repackaged and enhanced to reduce burden on grantees. The new combined document is known as the "Uniform Guidance" and is codified at 2 CFR 200. The new guidance will take effect for recipients of Federal funds for awards made on or after December 26, 2014. The new regulations do not impact any Department of Education awards received prior to this date.
- Current Low-Income Levels
- Prior-Year Low-Income Levels
- Office of Postsecondary Education (OPE) Applicant and Grantee Resources
Reports
- Fast Facts Report for the Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program: 2019-20 PDF (1.1M)
- Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program: 2002-05 Facts and Figures at a Glance PDF (261K) | MS Word (785K)
- A Profile of the Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program: 1997-1998 Through 2001-2002 MS Word (586K) | PDF (382K)
- A Profile of the Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program: 1999-00 PDF (382K)
- A Profile of the Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program: 1998-99 PDF (606K)
Key Staff
ReShone More, Ph.D.,
Division Director, (202) 453-7624
reshone.moore@ed.gov
Mailing Address:
Federal TRIO Programs
U.S. Department of Education, OPE
Higher Education Programs
Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program
400 Maryland Avenue, S.W.
Mail Stop LBJ 2- 261-05
Washington, DC 20202
E-mail: OPE_TRIO@ed.gov
Student Service Organizational Directory
Staff Assignments by State
| Program Specialist | State Assignment |
|---|---|
| Carmen Gordon, Program Lead 202-453-7311 carmen.gordon@ed.gov | Arkansas, California, Florida, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Vermont, Washington |
| Eric Lange, Ed.D. 202-453-5882 eric.lange@ed.gov | Alaska, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Kentucky, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, Nevada, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Wisconsin, Wyoming |
| Rebecca Ell 202-453-6348 rebecca.ell@ed.gov | Arizona, Colorado, Delaware, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Hampshire, Oregon, Utah, West Virginia |
| Suzanne Ulmer 202-453-7691 suzanne.ulmer@ed.gov | Alabama, Georgia, Illinois, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia |
| Select a link below to jump to the relevant page section. |
- What is the purpose of the McNair program?
- What kinds of activities can be supported with grant funds?
- How often are competitions generally held?
- What is the duration of the average grant?
- What is the average annual grant amount?
- Is there a cost matching requirement? If so, are in-kind contributions acceptable as part of the grantee's match?
- What are the reporting requirements for grantees? What kind of records and data should be maintained or collected in order to complete required reports?
- Are there program-wide performance measures?
- What are a few concrete examples of allowable activities?
1. What is the purpose of the McNair program?
The purpose of the Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement (McNair) Program is to award grants to institutions of higher education for projects designed to provide disadvantaged college students with effective preparation for doctoral study.
TOP
2. What kinds of activities can be supported with grant funds?
All McNair projects must provide the following activities: opportunities for research or other scholarly activities; summer internships; seminars and other educational activities designed to prepare students for doctoral study; tutoring; academic counseling; and activities designed to assist students participating in the project in securing admission to and financial assistance for enrollment in graduate programs.
McNair projects may also provide the following additional activities: education or counseling services designed to improve financial and economic literacy of students; mentoring programs involving faculty members at institutions of higher education or students, or any combination of such persons; and exposure to cultural activities.
TOP
3. How often are competitions generally held?
Competitions for new awards are held every five years.
TOP
4. What is the duration of the average grant?
All McNair Program grant awards are made for five-year grant award cycles.
TOP
5. What is the average annual grant amount?
The average McNair Program grant is approximately $220,000 per year to provide services to a minimum of 24 students per year.
TOP
6. Is there a cost matching requirement? If so, are in-kind contributions acceptable as part of the grantee's match?
There is no cost matching requirement for the McNair Program.
TOP
7. What are the reporting requirements for grantees? What kind of records and data should be maintained or collected in order to complete required reports?
All McNair Program grantees are required to submit an annual performance report documenting the number of McNair participants who complete research or other scholarly activities and continue in their undergraduate program or enroll in a graduate program in the subsequent academic year; who attain baccalaureate degrees; who enroll in postbaccalaureate programs; and who attain doctoral degrees. The Department of Education will aggregate the data provided in the annual performance reports from all grantees to determine the accomplishment level.
TOP
8. Are there program-wide performance measures?
The specific performance measure for the McNair Program is the increase in the percentage of McNair Program participants who enroll in and persist in graduate school.
TOP
9. What are a few concrete examples of allowable activities?
Research or other scholarly activities; summer internships; seminars; tutoring; academic counseling; and activities designed to assist students participating in the project in securing admission to and financial assistance for enrollment in graduate programs; education or counseling services designed to improve financial and economic literacy of students; mentoring programs involving faculty members at institutions of higher education or students; and exposure to cultural activities.