The McNair Scholars Program is a federal TRiO program funded at 187 institutions across the United States and Puerto Rico by the U.S. Department of Education. It is designed to prepare undergraduate students for doctoral studies through involvement in research and other scholarly activities. McNair participants are either first-generation college students with financial need, or members of a group that is traditionally underrepresented in graduate education and have demonstrated strong academic potential. The goal of the McNair Scholars Program is to increase graduate degree awards for students from underrepresented segments of society.

Serving first generation, low-income and/or members of ethnic groups traditionally underrepresented in graduate school, the McNair Scholars program strives to motivate and support students in their educational and academic pursuits. Members of the program participate in numerous activities designed to prepare them for the rigors of graduate education. The McNair Scholars program prepares eligible participants for doctoral studies through involvement in research and other scholarly activities. The goal of this federally funded, nationally recognized program is to increase the attainment of Ph.D. degrees by students from underrepresented segments of society.