Program Description
The goal of the Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program is to increase the attainment of Ph.D. degrees by students from underrepresented segments of society. 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.
Types of Projects
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
- 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
- Exposure to cultural events and academic programs not usually available to disadvantaged students
Funding History
The program-level information below 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.
| Fiscal year | Funding Allocation | Number of Awards | Number of Participants | Average Award | Average Number of Participants | Average Cost Per Participant |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $60,166,049 | 216 | 5,935 | $278,547 | 27 | $10,138 |
| 2023 | $60,801,067 | 216 | 5,935 | $281,486 | 27 | $10,244 |
| 2022 | $56,378,254 | 206 | 5,677 | $273,681 | 28 | $9,931 |
| 2021 | $49,824,230 | 187 | 5,242 | $266,440 | 28 | $9,505 |
| 2020 | $51,778,211 | 187 | 5,242 | $276,889 | 28 | $9,878 |
| 2019 | $50,027,266 | 187 | 5,242 | $267,525 | 28 | $9,544 |
| 2018 | $47,872,986 | 187 | 5,242 | $256,005 | 28 | $9,133 |
| 2017 | $45,896,206 | 187 | 5,234 | $245,434 | 28 | $8,769 |
| 2016 | $36,589,491 | 151 | 4,338 | $242,315 | 29 | $8,435 |
| 2015 | $35,701,197 | 151 | 4,293 | $236,432 | 28 | $8,316 |
| 2014 | $35,600,323 | 151 | 4,293 | $235,764 | 28 | $8,293 |
| 2013 | $34,060,382 | 152 | 4,190 | $224,081 | 28 | $8,129 |
| 2012 | $8,129 | 158 | 4,482 | $235,888 | 28 | $8,316 |
| 2011 | $46,118,554 | 200 | 5,419 | $230,593 | 27 | $8,511 |
| 2010 | $47,373,968 | 200 | 5,419 | $236,870 | 27 | $8,742 |
| 2009 | $47,298,189 | 200 | 5,430 | $236,491 | 27 | $8,711 |
| 2008 | $44,326,656 | 185 | 5,067 | $239,604 | 27 | $8,748 |
| 2007i | $45,604,173 | 190 | 5,210 | $240,022 | 27 | $8,753 |
| 2006 | $41,714,498 | 177 | 4,186 | $235,675 | 24 | $9,965 |
| 2005 | $41,934,925 | 178 | 4,236 | $235,589 | 24 | $9,900 |
| 2004 | $42,092,721 | 179 | 4,133 | $235,155 | 23 | $10,185 |
| 2003 | $41,885,612 | 179 | 4,118 | $233,998 | 23 | $10,171 |
| 2002ii | $38,357,300 | 156 | 3,774 | $245,880 | 24 | $10,164 |
| 2001 | $35,785,817 | 156 | 3,774 | $229,396 | 24 | $9,558 |
i Note: Two grants were funded with FY 2008 funds
ii The FY 2002 funding includes $1,560,000 for one-time supplemental grants of $10,000 per project for technology
Legislation
- Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended; Title IV, Part A, Subpart 2, Chapter 1, Sec. 402D; 20 U.S.C. 1070a-14
- Legislation for SSS Grant Aid
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.
- 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 Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards - The Department 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 combined document is known as the "Uniform Guidance" and is codified at 2 CFR 200.
Applicant Information
The last competition for this program was held in FY 2022. FY 2022 Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program Notice Inviting Applications, published in the Federal Register on March 9, 2022.
Eligibility
Institutions of higher education and combinations of institutions of higher education may apply.
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.
Resources for Applicants
- Federal TRIO Programs Current-Year Low-Income Levels
- Federal TRIO Programs Prior-Year Low-Income Levels
- Frequently Asked Questions: Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program
Reports
- Fast Facts Report for the Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program: 2019-20
- Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program: 2002-05 Facts and Figures at a Glance
- A Profile of the Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program: 1997-1998 Through 2001-2002
- A Profile of the Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program: 1999-00
- A Profile of the Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program: 1998-99
FY 2025
- Ronald E. McNair Projects Funded for 2025-26
- Total Projects: 197
FY 2024
- Ronald E. McNair Projects Funded for 2024-25
- Total Projects: 216
FY 2023
- Ronald E. McNair Projects Funded for 2023-24
- Total Projects: 216
FY 2022
- Ronald E. McNair Projects Funded for 2022-23
- Total Projects: 206
FY 2021
- Ronald E. McNair Projects Funded for 2021-22
- Total Projects: 187
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.
Grantee-Level Performance Results: 2022-23
Grantee-Level Performance Results: 2023-24
Program Description
The goal of the Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program is to increase the attainment of Ph.D. degrees by students from underrepresented segments of society. 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.
Types of Projects
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
- 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
- Exposure to cultural events and academic programs not usually available to disadvantaged students
Funding History
The program-level information below 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.
| Fiscal year | Funding Allocation | Number of Awards | Number of Participants | Average Award | Average Number of Participants | Average Cost Per Participant |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $60,166,049 | 216 | 5,935 | $278,547 | 27 | $10,138 |
| 2023 | $60,801,067 | 216 | 5,935 | $281,486 | 27 | $10,244 |
| 2022 | $56,378,254 | 206 | 5,677 | $273,681 | 28 | $9,931 |
| 2021 | $49,824,230 | 187 | 5,242 | $266,440 | 28 | $9,505 |
| 2020 | $51,778,211 | 187 | 5,242 | $276,889 | 28 | $9,878 |
| 2019 | $50,027,266 | 187 | 5,242 | $267,525 | 28 | $9,544 |
| 2018 | $47,872,986 | 187 | 5,242 | $256,005 | 28 | $9,133 |
| 2017 | $45,896,206 | 187 | 5,234 | $245,434 | 28 | $8,769 |
| 2016 | $36,589,491 | 151 | 4,338 | $242,315 | 29 | $8,435 |
| 2015 | $35,701,197 | 151 | 4,293 | $236,432 | 28 | $8,316 |
| 2014 | $35,600,323 | 151 | 4,293 | $235,764 | 28 | $8,293 |
| 2013 | $34,060,382 | 152 | 4,190 | $224,081 | 28 | $8,129 |
| 2012 | $8,129 | 158 | 4,482 | $235,888 | 28 | $8,316 |
| 2011 | $46,118,554 | 200 | 5,419 | $230,593 | 27 | $8,511 |
| 2010 | $47,373,968 | 200 | 5,419 | $236,870 | 27 | $8,742 |
| 2009 | $47,298,189 | 200 | 5,430 | $236,491 | 27 | $8,711 |
| 2008 | $44,326,656 | 185 | 5,067 | $239,604 | 27 | $8,748 |
| 2007i | $45,604,173 | 190 | 5,210 | $240,022 | 27 | $8,753 |
| 2006 | $41,714,498 | 177 | 4,186 | $235,675 | 24 | $9,965 |
| 2005 | $41,934,925 | 178 | 4,236 | $235,589 | 24 | $9,900 |
| 2004 | $42,092,721 | 179 | 4,133 | $235,155 | 23 | $10,185 |
| 2003 | $41,885,612 | 179 | 4,118 | $233,998 | 23 | $10,171 |
| 2002ii | $38,357,300 | 156 | 3,774 | $245,880 | 24 | $10,164 |
| 2001 | $35,785,817 | 156 | 3,774 | $229,396 | 24 | $9,558 |
i Note: Two grants were funded with FY 2008 funds
ii The FY 2002 funding includes $1,560,000 for one-time supplemental grants of $10,000 per project for technology
Legislation
- Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended; Title IV, Part A, Subpart 2, Chapter 1, Sec. 402D; 20 U.S.C. 1070a-14
- Legislation for SSS Grant Aid
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.
- 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 Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards - The Department 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 combined document is known as the "Uniform Guidance" and is codified at 2 CFR 200.
Applicant Information
The last competition for this program was held in FY 2022. FY 2022 Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program Notice Inviting Applications, published in the Federal Register on March 9, 2022.
Eligibility
Institutions of higher education and combinations of institutions of higher education may apply.
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.
Resources for Applicants
- Federal TRIO Programs Current-Year Low-Income Levels
- Federal TRIO Programs Prior-Year Low-Income Levels
- Frequently Asked Questions: Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program
Reports
- Fast Facts Report for the Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program: 2019-20
- Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program: 2002-05 Facts and Figures at a Glance
- A Profile of the Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program: 1997-1998 Through 2001-2002
- A Profile of the Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program: 1999-00
- A Profile of the Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program: 1998-99
FY 2025
- Ronald E. McNair Projects Funded for 2025-26
- Total Projects: 197
FY 2024
- Ronald E. McNair Projects Funded for 2024-25
- Total Projects: 216
FY 2023
- Ronald E. McNair Projects Funded for 2023-24
- Total Projects: 216
FY 2022
- Ronald E. McNair Projects Funded for 2022-23
- Total Projects: 206
FY 2021
- Ronald E. McNair Projects Funded for 2021-22
- Total Projects: 187
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.