The Ronald E. McNair Post-baccalaureate Achievement Program is a federal TRIO program funded at 151 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 who 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.

The program encourages low-income, first-generation college students as well as students from groups historically underrepresented in higher education to pursue a Ph.D.

Fully funded by a five-year grant from the U.S. Department of Education (Grant #217A120099), Indiana University contributes cost share funds over the same five-year period.