Two Programs, One Mission!
The mission of the University of New Mexico’s Ronald E. McNair Scholars Program and the Research Opportunity Program (ROP) is to prepare high achieving undergraduate students for admission into graduate school to pursue master’s and doctoral degrees. The McNair/ROP programs offer eligible students the opportunity to conduct faculty-mentored research as well as travel opportunities and support during the graduate application process.
Who We Serve
The McNair/ROP programs serve undergraduate students who are first generation to college, low income, and/or members of groups underrepresented in graduate school.
About McNair & ROP
The McNair Scholars Program is a federal TRIO program funded by the U.S. Department of Education at approximately 216 institutions across the United States and Puerto Rico by the U.S. Department of Education. ROP is funded by the NM State Legislature and is only at UNM (main campus).
What benefits do participants receive?
Our scholars participate in activities designed to prepare them for the rigors of graduate education. Scholars who complete the program have been admitted to and earned advanced degrees from many well respected universities throughout the world, including Harvard, Yale, Cornell, Columbia, UC-Berkeley, UW-Madison, Northwestern, Cambridge, and UNM.
- Stipends ($) for completing research and scholarly activities
- Paid Travel Opportunities to research conferences across the nation
- Paid Travel Opportunities to visit university campuses across the country
- Scholars complete a research project under the guidance of a faculty mentor
- Monthly Seminars that prepare students for research and application to graduate school
- Successful McNair Scholars will have access to McNair-specific graduate school application fee waivers, scholarships/fellowships offered by a hundreds of universities throughout the country
- Scholars receive intensive advisement
- Scholars receive Graduate Record Exam (GRE) prep courses
- McNair/ROP Scholars participate in a research design course
- Students learn about funding opportunities for graduate school
- McNair Scholars are part of a community of scholars both at UNM and nationwide
- McNair Participants emerge from the program prepared for the rigors of graduate school
- Because of their intensive preparation, McNair Scholars are recruited by graduate schools nationwide
- All the above, and much more!
Ready to Apply?
- The application for the 2024-2025 academic year opens on January 1, 2024. (for students who will have 60 credits by fall 2024 & graduate fall 2025 or later)
- If you are interested in our program, we encourage you to apply!
Feel free to drop by the office, call, or email mcnair@unm.edu with questions.
