McNair Scholars and Research Opportunity Program application open through March

The McNair Scholars program is accepting applications for the fall 2026 cohort ahead of the March 31 deadline. The program, which is open to students who will have 60 credits heading into the fall of 2026 and expect to graduate in the fall of 2027 or later, is a two-year program designed to support students who are interested in pursuing graduate programs following the completion of an undergraduate degree.

McNair is one of seven TRIO programs funded by the government to support students from middle school through college. McNair Schoars are offered stipends, research opportunities and faculty mentorship in addition to support applying to and finding funding for graduate school.

The program is run by Ricardo Romero, who was part of the inaugural cohort of scholars at The University of New Mexico. Romero credits the McNair program with changing the trajectory of his life. After graduating from UNM, he undertook a PhD program at the University of Wisconsin and worked with the McNair scholars there as part of an assistantship while earning his master's degree. He took charge of McNair at UNM in 2012.

The McNair Scholars program is named after Challenger astronaut Dr. Ronald E. McNair, who was the second African American to fly in space. Before becoming an astronaut, McNair earned a PhD at Massachusetts Institute of Technology after completing his undergraduate degree at North Carolina A&T State University. He joined the space shuttle program in 1978 and successfully completed his first mission in space in 1984.

McNair, who was serving as mission specialist on the Challenger mission, was killed instantly when Challenger exploded minutes after launch. To honor his memory, Congress provided funding for the Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program. The program exists at 216 different universities across the country and has been at UNM since the 1999-2000 school year.

The program is designed for low income and first-generation students, but Romero encourages anyone who thinks they might be eligible to apply.

"My biggest recommendation is if students learn about the program and they think they would like to be a part of it, they should apply," he said. "We'll figure everything out in the interview session."

Romero also emphasized that his team has made the initial application as easy as possible to encourage students to throw their hat in the ring.

The McNair Scholars application also serves as the application for the Research Opportunity Program, a state funded initiative that mirrors the goals of the McNair program. Selected applicants for both will be put together to create one cohort.

The first year spent in the program is focused on research, which is done under the tutelage of a faculty mentor of the student's choice and includes stipends. Additionally, scholars attend monthly seminars during the fall and spring semester, except for December and May. The program also provides students with individualized advisement with Jennifer Serrano, the program's student success manager, who Romero credits for much of the success of the program.

During the second year, the focus shifts to applying to grad school. The McNair program provides resources to help students understand the application process for graduate school and not only be accepted but be accepted with funding.

The application deadline is March 31^st, and the program is open to students from all majors who are interested in graduate school.