Application

When to Apply

The UF McNair Scholars Program is currently accepting applications for the 2025-2026 cohort.

All application materials must be received by 11:59 pm on Sunday, February 2, 2025.

Who Should Apply?

The McNair Scholars Program at the University of Florida is designed for undergraduate students who are committed to advancing their education through research and scholarship with the goal of earning a PhD or another research doctorate. Our program provides training, mentorship, resources, and opportunities to help first-generation and income-eligible students prepare for the challenges and rewards of graduate education. 

To be considered for the program, you must:

• Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
• Be a first-generation college student* who is also income-eligible** based on taxable income
• Have a strong interest in graduate education and research
• Have earned at least 60 credits by the start of Summer 2025
• Be within 1-2 years of completing your bachelor's, but not graduating before Spring 2026
• Have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher
• Plan to go directly to graduate school after earning your bachelor's degree, with the goal of completing a PhD or another research-based doctoral degree (List of Research Doctoral Degrees)

*Unfortunately, the program is not open to students whose plans are to earn a master’s or professional degree (MD, JD, DVM, PharmD, PsyD, DNP, etc.) only.

*First-Generation College Student

A 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.; or (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.

**Low-Income Individual

A low-income individual refers to an individual whose family's taxable income for the preceding year did not exceed 150 percent of the poverty level amount. Click here for current Federal TRIO Program low-income levels.

Federal TRIO Program Current-Year Low-Income Levels

https://www.ed.gov/about/ed-offices/ope/trio/federal-trio-programs-current-year-low-income-levels

Federal Regulations Governing the McNair Scholars Program

https://www.ed.gov/grants-and-programs/grants-higher-education/trio/trio--ronald-e-mcnair-postbaccalaureate-achievement-program--home-page#Awarding-&-Legislation

How to Apply

A complete application consists of:

• Online application 
• The following documents uploaded within the online application:
  • Personal statement
  • Professional resume
  • Documentation of eligibility (as applicable), e.g., copy of permanent resident card
  • 2024-2025 FAFSA Student Aid Report (SAR)
• Two recommendations (see "Recommendation Guidelines" below for more information)
• Income verification form (submitted at the time of interview)
• UF transcripts (accessed by the McNair program)

You may download the supplemental application materials here:

• UF McNair Recommendation Cover Sheet 2025
• UF McNair Recommendation Form 2025
• UF McNair Income Verification Form 2025 - Dependent Student 
• UF McNair Income Verification Form 2025 - Independent Student 

Personal Statement Guidelines

All applicants must upload a personal statement describing their interest in the McNair Scholars Program (2 pages max, 1-inch margins, 11 or 12pt 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) in 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
• Your career goals and the contributions you wish to make to your field and community with a Ph.D.

*If you submitted a personal statement to apply for a summer research program, you may use or revise that same statement to apply for McNair.

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

Recommendation Guidelines

• 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 transfer student, you may obtain recommendations from faculty/staff at your previous institution.
• Your references should submit their recommendation materials to mcnair-scholars@aa.ufl.edu. 

Please note that each recommender must submit BOTH of the documents below:

1. UF McNair Recommendation Cover Sheet 2025 (completed and signed by the applicant)
2. UF McNair Recommendation Form 2025