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Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program

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Frequently Asked Questions

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  1. What is the purpose of the McNair program?
  2. What kinds of activities can be supported with grant funds?
  3. How often are competitions generally held?
  4. What is the duration of the average grant?
  5. What is the average annual grant amount?
  6. Is there a cost matching requirement? If so, are in-kind contributions acceptable as part of the grantee’s match?
  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?
  8. Are there program-wide performance measures?
  9. 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.

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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.

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3. How often are competitions generally held?

Competitions for new awards are held every five years.

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4. What is the duration of the average grant?

All McNair Program grant awards are made for five-year grant award cycles.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Last Modified: 01/24/2017