McNair Scholars Program

The Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program, more commonly referred to as the McNair Scholars Program, awards grants to institutions of higher learning for projects designed to prepare participants for doctoral studies through involvement with research and other scholarly activities. The program targets and recruits promising students during either their sophomore or junior year. To qualify, students must be either income-eligible and first-generation or a member of an underrepresented group in higher education. Currently, there are a total of 187 McNair Scholars Programs nationwide serving 5,242 Scholars.

The Concord University McNair Scholars Program requires each Scholar to conduct research with a faculty mentor and complete a summer internship. The Concord Program provides access to training and resources designed to make the transition into graduate school smooth and successful. Through workshops, academic counseling, and other services, the Program helps Scholars prepare for the graduate school experience academically, financially, and socially. The Concord McNair Program serves 30 students annually from Concord University, West Virginia State University, and Bluefield State College. The Concord McNair Program was initiated in 1995, is currently funded through 2022, and is the only such program in the state of West Virginia.

RONALD E. McNAIR 1950-1986

Ronald Erwin McNair was born on October 21, 1950, in Lake City, South Carolina, to Carl and Pearl McNair. The house in which he was born had neither running water nor electricity. Although he grew up amidst crushing poverty, McNair always exhibited a deep thirst for scientific knowledge. After graduation from high school, he enrolled in North Carolina A&T State University. He graduated magna cum laude with a B.S. in physics in 1971. McNair then enrolled in the prestigious Massachusetts Institute of Technology. In 1976, at age 26, he earned his Ph.D. in physics.

While working as a staff physicist with Hughes Research Laboratory, he soon became a recognized expert in laser physics. In 1978, McNair realized his dream of becoming an astronaut; after being selected from a pool of 10,000 applicants for NASA’s space shuttle program, he became the second African-American to fly in space. He served as a mission specialist aboard the space shuttle Challenger.

In addition to his academic achievements, McNair received three honorary doctorate degrees and many fellowships and commendations. These included Presidential Scholar, 1967-1971; Ford Foundation Fellow, 1971-1974; National Fellowship Fund Fellow, 1974-1975; Omega Psi Phi Scholar of the Year, 1975; Distinguished National Scientist, National Society of Black Professional Engineers, 1979; and the Friend of Freedom Award, 1981. McNair also held a fifth degree back belt in karate and was an accomplished jazz saxophonist.

Ronald E. McNair was killed on January 28, 1986, in the Challenger accident which claimed the lives of the entire crew.

Since the spring of 1996, 350 Scholars (25 cohorts) have participated in the Concord McNair Scholars Program. Of these Scholars, the following number of Scholars have completed the following degrees:

Graduate Degree Number of Graduates
Philosophy Doctorate 13
Education Doctorate 3
Psychology Doctorate 3
Juris Doctorate 6
Pharmacy Doctorate 4
Medical Doctorate 7
Osteopathic Doctorate 8
Veterinary Medicine Doctorate 1
Doctorate of Dental Surgery 1
Doctorate of Optometry 1
Doctorate of Chiropractic Medicine 1
Doctorate of Physical Therapy 2
Master Degrees (MS, MA) 94
Master of Business Administration (MBA) 9
Master of Social Work 17
Master of Fine Arts 2
Currently in a Graduate/Professional Program 27
  • Cohort 24 – 2018
  • Cohort 23 – 2017
  • Cohort 22 – 2016
  • Cohort 21 – 2015
  • Cohort 20 – 2014
  • Cohort 19 – 2013
  • Cohort 18 – 2014
  • Cohort 17 – 2013
  • Cohort 16 – 2012
  • Cohort 15 – 2011
  • Cohort 14 – 2010
  • Cohort 13 – 2009
  • Cohort 12 – 2008
  • Cohort 11 – 2007
  • Cohort 10 – 2006
  • Cohort 9 – 2005
  • Cohort 8 – 2004
  • Cohort 7 – 2003
  • Cohort 6 – 2002
  • Cohort 5 – 2001
  • Cohort 4 – 2000
  • Cohort 3 – 1999
  • Cohort 2 – 1998
  • Cohort 1 – 1997

Interested in pursuing a second research project? Try a summer research program. Summer research programs are available at many institutions, especially large research institutions such as MIT.

Many scholarships are available for McNair Scholars. Some are targeted toward a certain field of study, others toward a racial minority, and still others are open to everyone. Here is a of scholarships and fellowships.

For more information on these and other financial opportunities, contact the McNair office or Lisa Karnes.

Undergraduate Scholarships

  • Rothbert Fund Scholarships – Provides financial aid to students motivated by spiritual values. Grants of $2000 – $3000. Request application prior to November 1. Website: www.roothbertfund.org/scholarships
  • The Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation – Provides exceptional students with financial support for graduate study. More information here, website: https://www.truman.gov/apply
  • Microsoft Scholarships – Provide financial support to students in computer and technical fields. For undergraduates only. Apply here, website: https://goldwater.scholarsapply.org/
  • The Intel Student Research Contest (ISRC) grants awards of up to $2,000 to up to 20 students for research projects to be conducted at their school. At the end of the project period, the students present their results to a panel of experts and meet with noted Intel researchers. The top three presenters win cash awards of $5,000, $3,000 and $2,000. The program is open to students from the United States. Similar contests are held in India and the People’s Republic of China. Learn more here, website: https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/research/overview.html
  • The NIH Undergraduate Scholarship Program (UGSP) is a competitive scholarship program sponsored by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for students from disadvantaged backgrounds who are interested in pursuing biomedical, behavioral and social science careers at the NIH. The UGSP program provides up to $20,000 a year for up to four years to pay for tuition, educational expenses and reasonable living expenses. Approximately 15 scholarships are awarded each year. Recipients must participate in the NIH 10-week Summer Laboratory Experience after each year of scholarship support. Recipients also commit to one year of full-time employment at the NIH for each year of support. Candidates must have a GPA of 3.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale or be within the top 5 percent of their class. More information here, website: https://www.training.nih.gov/programs/ugsp
  • The Rotary Foundation’s Ambassadorial Scholarship program provides approximately 1,000 to 1,100 scholarships for study abroad each year. The scholarships are available for undergraduate and graduate students worldwide. (Applicants must be citizens of a country in which there is a Rotary club.) The scholarships cover one year of academic study in another country and include round-trip transportation, tuition, fees, and room and board up to $25,000. Candidates must have completed at least two years of college. Applications are made through the local Rotary club. Each Rotary club has its own deadlines. Learn more here, website: https://www.rotary.org/en/our-programs/scholarships
  • USA Today names a total of 60 students to the All-USA Academic Teams. 20 students are named to each of the first, second and third academic teams. The students on the first team receive $2,500 cash awards and are featured in a two-page spread in USA Today. There are teams for high school seniors, and full-time undergraduate students at two and four-year colleges and universities. Each school may nominate up to two students. The deadline for the College Team is December 1 and for the High School Team is in February. Winners are selected on the basis of both academic talent and leadership. A lot of emphasis is placed on the nominee’s outstanding endeavors. Learn more here, website: www.usatoday.com/news/education/allstars/front.htm

Graduate Fellowships

  • AT&T Labs Fellowship Program: The AT&T Labs Fellowships are available to female and minority students who are pursuing a PhD in computer and communications-related fields. Candidates must be US citizens or permanent residents. The fellowship provides all educational expenses including tuition and fees, a monthly stipend of $1,400 a month, and a mentor who is a staff member at AT&T Labs. The fellowship is renewable for up to six years of support.
  • Beinecke Scholarship Program: The Beinecke Scholarship Program is open to college juniors who intend to pursue graduate study in the arts, humanities, and social sciences at any accredited university. Each scholar receives $2,000 prior to matriculating in graduate school and $30,000 while attending graduate school. The funding must be used within five years of completing undergraduate studies. A total of 18 new scholarships are awarded each year from among more than 100 nominations. Nomination by a participating college or university is required. The nomination deadline is March 1 and each college can nominate only one student for the award.
  • Bell Labs Graduate Research Fellowship Program: The Bell Labs Graduate Research Fellowships are available to female and minority students pursuing a PhD in science, mathematics, engineering and technology. They are sponsored by the Lucent Technologies Foundation. The fellowship provides full tuition and an annual stipend of $17,000 for up to four years of graduate study. Fields of study include Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Communications Science, Computer Science & Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Information Science, Materials Science, Mathematics, Mechanical Engineering, Operations Research, Physics and Statistics. College seniors and first year graduate students are eligible to apply.
  • Canon National Parks Science Scholars Program: The Canon National Parks Science Scholars Program for the Americas provides eight fellowships to PhD students throughout the Americas (Canada, the United States, Mexico, Central and South America, and the Caribbean) to conduct conservation-related research projects in the biological, physical, social and cultural sciences, and technological innovation in support of conservation science. The program aims to support research on critical problems facing the region’s national parks. The fellowship provides $26,000 a year for up to three years. In addition to the eight fellowship winners, four honorable mentions will receive a one-time scholarship of $1,000. The application deadline is in early May.
  • British Chevening Scholarships: The British Chevening Scholarships enable non-UK students to study in the United Kingdom. They are offered in more than 150 countries. (US students are not eligible.) Approximately 2,300 new scholarships are awarded each year for postgraduate studies and research.
  • Winston Churchill Scholarship Program: The Churchill Scholarship Program enables young Americans to pursue graduate study in science, mathematics, and engineering at Churchill College, Cambridge University. A total of 11 one-year Churchill Scholarships are offered each year. The scholarship covers living expenses in addition to tuition and fees. Candidates must be US citizens who have earned a bachelor’s degree but not a doctorate and between the ages of 19 and 26. Applicants must be nominated by their undergraduate college. Each college may nominate up to two students to apply for the Churchill Scholarship. The Churchill Foundation’s deadline is in mid November. Each college may have earlier deadlines.
  • Jack Kent Cooke Graduate Fellowship Program: The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation is open to college seniors and recent college graduates who intend to begin graduate study in the fall. Approximately 35 fellowships are awarded each year. The fellowships cover tuition, room and board, books and other required fees up to $50,000 per year for up to six years. Candidates must have a GPA of at least 3.5 on a 4.0 scale. Candidates must be nominated by the faculty representative at their undergraduate institution. The application deadline is April 30. For more information, call 1-800-498-6478.
  • Davies-Jackson Scholarship: The Davies-Jackson Scholarship provides support for a two-year course of study at St. John’s College, Cambridge University, leading to a British B.A. degree (the equivalent of a master’s degree in the US). Fields of study include Archaeology and Anthropology, Classics, Economics, English, Geography, History, History of Art, Modern and Medieval Languages, Music, Philosophy, and Social and Political Sciences. Candidates must be seniors at one of 159 eligible US colleges and universities and must be the first college graduate in their family. The award covers tuition, fees, room and board and travel to and from England for two years. One recipient is selected each year. The application deadline is in mid November.
  • EPA Science to Achieve Results (STAR) Fellowship Program for Graduate Environmental Study: The Environmental Protection Agency’s STAR Fellowship Program provides graduate fellowships for master’s and doctoral students pursuing degrees in fields of study related to the environment. Approximately 50 fellowships are awarded each year, subject to the availability of funding. Master’s students receive support for up to two years and doctoral students receive support for up to three years. The fellowship program provides up to $37,000 per year, consisting of a $20,000 stipend, $5,000 for authorized expenses (e.g., health insurance, books, supplies, and computer equipment), and $12,000 for tuition and fees. Candidates must be US citizens or permanent residents. The pre-application deadline is in mid November.
  • Ford Foundation Predoctoral Fellowships for Minorities (The link to the online application is on this page.): The Ford Foundation Predoctoral Fellowships for Minorities program is administered by the National Research Council. It provides 60 new awards each year consisting of a cost-of-education allowance of $6,000 and a $17,000 stipend. The fellowship provides up to three years of support. Candidates must be US citizens or nationals. Candidates must also be enrolled in or planning to enroll in a research-based PhD or ScD program in Archaeology, Anthropology, Art History, Astronomy, Chemistry, Communications, Computer Science, Earth Sciences, Economics, Engineering, Ethnomusicology, Geography, History, International Relations, Life Sciences, Linguistics, Literature, Language, Mathematics, Performance Study, Philosophy, Physics, Political Science, Psychology, Religion, Sociology, and Urban Planning. The fellowship application form is available online and has a deadline in mid November. For more information, write to Fellowship Office, GR 346A, National Research Council of the National Academies, 550 Fifth Street, NW, Washington, DC 20001, call 1-202-334-2872, or send email to infofell@nas.edu.
  • Fulbright Fellowships: Council for International Exchange of Scholars (CIES) and the Institute for International Education (IIE) assist the US Information Agency in the administration of the graduate Fulbright Fellowships for US citizens to study in other countries and for international students to study in the US. US students must apply through their campus Fulbright program advisor. International students should apply through the Fulbright Commission or US Information Service in their home country. US students who are not formally enrolled in a degree program should write to:US Student Programs
    Institute for International Education (IIE)
    809 United Nations Plaza
    New York NY 10017-3580
  • Gates Cambridge Scholarships: The Gates Cambridge Scholarships are open to graduate students from outside the United Kingdom for study at the University of Cambridge. Approximately 230 scholarships are awarded each year, with 100 coming from the United States. The scholarships cover the full cost of study at Cambridge for a single person, including tuition and fees and a maintenance allowance. Scholars should be under the age of 30 years and be admitted through the university’s regular admissions process.
  • Hertz Foundation Graduate Fellowships in Applied Physical Sciences: The Hertz Foundation Graduate Fellowships are awarded to graduate students who are expected to have the greatest impact on the application of the physical sciences to human problems. The Hertz Foundation Graduate Fellowships are extremely competitive, with only 25% of applicants being selected for an interview, and only 10% of those being selected for the award. The fellowship consists of a cost-of-education allowance and a $25,000 stipend and is renewable for a total of up to five years of support. College seniors and current graduate students pursuing a PhD in the applied physical sciences are eligible to apply. The fellowship is tenable at three dozen of the nation’s leading colleges and universities, including CalTech, Carnegie Mellon, Harvard, Johns Hopkins, MIT, Princeton, RPI, Rice, Stanford, UC Berkeley and Yale. For more information, write to Fannie and John Hertz Foundation, 2456 Research Drive, Livermore, CA 94550-3850, call 1-925-373-1642, fax 1-925-373-6329 or send email to askhertz@aol.com.
  • IBM PhD Fellowships: IBM PhD Fellowships are available to PhD students in business, chemistry, computer science, electrical engineering, materials science, mathematics, mechanical engineering and physics, as well as a variety of emerging technical fields. The fellowship provides tuition and fees and an annual stipend of $17,500. The fellowship may be renewed for up to three years. All IBM fellows are matched with an IBM Mentor and are expected to intern at an IBM research or development laboratory under their mentor’s guidance. Nomination by a faculty member is required. Students must have completed at least one year of study at the time of nomination. The nomination deadline is December 15. For more information send email to phdfellow@us.ibm.com).
  • Jacob K. Javits Graduate Fellowships: The Jacob K. Javits Graduate Fellowships are awarded by the US Department of Education to support graduate students in the arts, humanities and social sciences. The fellowship consists of a payment to the educational institution in lieu of tuition and fees and a stipend of up to $21,500 for up to four years. The amount of funding depends on financial need, and applications are required to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. The program is open to undergraduate students who are about to enter graduate school and first year graduate students. Candidates must be enrolled or intend to enroll in a graduate program leading to a doctorate or terminal master’s degree. Candidates must be US citizens, nationals or permanent residents. The application deadline is in early October. A total of approximately 60 to 100 new fellowships are awarded each year. This is an extremely competitive program.
  • Henry Luce Foundation Scholarship: The Luce Scholarships provide stipends and internships for 18 young Americans to live and work in Asia each year. Candidates must be US citizens who have earned a bachelor’s degree and are less than 30 years old. The Luce Scholarship provides a monthly cost-of-living stipend plus travel expenses. The foundation’s deadline is December 1.
  • James Madison Junior Fellowships: The James Madison Junior Fellowships are open to college seniors and recent college graduates who intend to go to graduate school on a full-time basis. The fellowships provide funding for graduate study leading to a master’s degree and are tenable at any accredited institution of higher education in the United States. Candidates must intend to become secondary school teachers of American history, American government and social studies. The fellowship provides support for graduate study of the roots, principles, framing, history and development of the U.S. Constitution. The award provides $12,000 per year for up to two years. One fellowship is awarded in each state. The application deadline is March 1.
  • Marshall Scholarships: The Marshall Sherfield Scholarships Program is a highly competitive program in which up to 40 young Americans are chosen to pursue a graduate education in the United Kingdom each year. The awards are tenable at any British university and cover two years of study in any field, typically at the graduate level, leading to the award of a British university degree. The award provides for two years of study, and may occasionally be extended to a third year. Only US citizens who will have graduated with a bachelor’s degree from a four-year college or university in the United States within the past four years are eligible. A minimum 3.7 GPA (A-) on a 4.0 scale is required.
  • Mellon Fellowships: The Andrew W. Mellon Fellowships in Humanistic Studies provide support for first-year doctoral students in the humanities. The fellowship covers tuition and fees and provides a stipend of $17,500. Approximately 85 new fellowships are awarded each year out of approximately 800 applicants. The fellowships are funded by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation and administered by the Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation. Students apply during their senior year of college. (College graduates who have not yet matriculated in graduate school may also apply.) The fellowship may be used for the first year of graduate school in a PhD program in the humanities. Candidates must be US citizens or permanent residents. The application deadline is December 1. Applications must be requested through the web site by early to mid November. For more information, send email to mellon@woodrow.org. [The Woodrow Wilson web site is best viewed using Internet Explorer. Aspects of the site do not work correctly using other web browsers.]The Woodrow Wilson Foundation also administers other fellowship programs, including the Charlotte W. Newcombe Doctoral Dissertation Fellowships in ethical or religious values in all fields of the humanities and social sciences, the Woodrow Wilson Doctoral Dissertation Grants in Women’s Studies and the Thomas R. Pickering Foreign Affairs Fellowships for graduate and undergraduate students.
  • George Mitchell Scholarships: The George Mitchell Scholarships enable American students to pursue one year of postgraduate study at an Ireland university. The award provides tuition and housing, as well as a stipend for travel and living expenses, for a period of one year. Applicants must be between the ages of 18 and 30. Twelve scholarships are awarded each year.
  • NASA Graduate Student Researchers Program (GSRP): The NASA Graduate Student Researchers Program (GSRP) provides fellowships for graduate study leading to a masters or doctoral degree in science, mathematics and engineering. Approximately 90 to 100 new recipients are selected each year. The award consists of a one-year training grant of $24,000, renewable for up to three years. The training grant includes a stipend of $18,000, a student allowance of $3,000 and a university allowance of $3,000. US citizenship is required. College seniors and current graduate students are eligible to apply. The application deadline is in early February.
  • National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate Fellowships: The National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate Fellowships are sponsored by the US Department of Defense and support graduate students pursuing a doctoral degree in Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering, Biosciences, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Civil Engineering, Cognitive, Neural, and Behavioral Sciences Computer and Computational Sciences, Electrical Engineering, Geosciences, Materials Science and Engineering, Mathematics, Mechanical Engineering, Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering, Oceanography and Physics. Approximately 100 to 300 new fellowships are awarded each year, depending on funding. Candidates must be US citizens or nationals. College seniors and first-year graduate students are eligible to apply. The fellowship provides full tuition and required fees and a stipend of $27,500 during the first year, $28,000 during the second year, and $28,500 during the third year. The application deadline is in early January. The fellowship program is very competitive, with only about 10% of applicants being selected for the award. For more information, write to NDSEG Fellowship Program, American Society for Engineering Education, 1818 N Street N.W., Suite 600, Washington, DC, 20036, call 1-202-331-3516, fax 1-202-265-8504, or send email to ndseg@asee.org.
  • National Physical Science Consortium Fellowship: The National Physical Science Consortium (NPSC) sponsors a graduate fellowship program for graduate students pursuing a PhD in the physical sciences at one of more than 100 participating colleges and universities. The award provides tuition and fees and a stipend of $16,000 for up to six years. Recipients are required to work for a NPSC-member employer during the summer preceding and following the first year of graduate school. Fields of study include Astronomy, Chemistry, Computer Science, Geology, Materials Science, Mathematical Sciences, Physics, and their subdisciplines, and related engineering fields, including Chemical, Computer, Electrical, Environmental, and Mechanical Engineering. NPSC continues to place an emphasis on recruiting underrepresented minority and female students. US citizenship is required. College seniors and first year graduate students are eligible to apply. A minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale is required. The application deadline is November 15.
  • National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship: The US National Science Foundation (NSF) Graduate Research Fellowship awards approximately 900 to 1,000 new three-year fellowships each year to graduate students in the mathematical, physical, biological, engineering, and behavioral and social sciences. The award consists of a cost-of-education allowance of $10,500 in lieu of tuition and fees and a stipend of $27,500. College seniors and first year graduate students are eligible to apply. The application deadline is in early November. Applications are submitted through the FastLane Electronic Application Process.
  • National Security Education Program Graduate Fellowships: The National Security Education Program (NSEP) David L. Boren Graduate Fellowships are available to US graduate students for the study of languages, cultures and world regions that are critical to US national security. It is administered by the Institute of International Education (IIE). The fellowships provide up to $10,000 per semester for up to two semesters for overseas study, and up top $12,000 for domestic study (up to $28,000 total for a combined overseas and domestic program). The scholarships are awarded to US students studying outside of Western Europe, Australia, New Zealand and Canada. Boren Fellowship recipients are required to seek employment with an agency or office of the federal government involved in national security affairs. The application deadline is January 31. For more information, write to NSEP/AED, 1825 Connecticut Ave, NW, Washington, DC 20009, call 1-800-498-9360 or 1-202-884-8285, fax 1-202-884-8407, or send email to nsep@aed.org.
  • Rhodes Scholarship: The Rhodes Scholarships enable students from many countries to study at the University of Oxford. 32 American Rhodes Scholars are selected each year. All educational expenses (tuition and fees) are covered for a period of two years, along with a maintenance allowance. Travel to and from Oxford is included. The award may be renewed for a third year.
  • Alfred P. Sloan Foundation Research Fellowships: The Sloan Research Fellowships are sponsored by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. The Sloan Research Fellowships provide support and recognition to young scientists and research faculty in physics, chemistry, mathematics, neuroscience, economics, computer science and computational and evolutionary molecular biology. The award consists of $40,000 for a two-year period and the funds are awarded to the Fellow’s institution to support his or her research efforts. Candidates must hold a PhD and be members of the regular tenure track faculty at a college or university in the United States or Canada. They may be no more than six years past the completion of their most recent PhD. Nomination by a department head or senior scholar is required. The foundation does not accept direct applications from candidates. The nomination deadline is September 15. A total of 116 Fellows are selected each year, out of more than 500 nominations. For more information, write to Sloan Research Fellowships, Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, 630 Fifth Avenue, Suite 2550, New York, New York 10111-0242.
  • Social Science Research Council International Dissertation Research Fellowship: The Social Science Research Council and the American Council of Learned Societies sponsor the International Dissertation Field Research Fellowship (IDRF) program for graduate students in humanities and social sciences conducting doctoral dissertation field research worldwide. A total of 50 fellowships of approximately $20,000 each are awarded each year with funds provided by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. Candidates must be full-time graduate students attending doctoral programs in the US, but do not need to be US citizens. Recipients must have completed all PhD requirements except for fieldwork and the dissertation by the start of their fellowship. The application deadline is November 10, 2005. For more information, visit www.ssrc.org/programs/idrf or send email to idrf@ssrc.org.
  • Paul and Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans: The Soros Fellowships provide for up to two years of graduate study in the US for “New Americans”. The fellowships cover half tuition plus a maintenance grant of $20,000. New Americans include resident aliens (i.e., holders of a Green Card), naturalized US citizens, and the children of two parents who are both naturalized US citizens. Fellows may pursue graduate degrees in any professional field, such as engineering, medicine, law, and social work, or any scholarly discipline in the arts, humanities, social sciences, and sciences. A total of 30 Soros Fellows are selected each year, out of approximately 900 applicants. Candidates must not be older than 30 years of age. The deadline is November 1. For more information, write to Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans, 400 West 59th Street, New York, NY 10019, call 1-212-547-6926, or send email to pdsoros_fellows@sorosny.org.
  • Spencer Foundation Dissertation Fellowships for Research Related to Education: The Spencer Foundation’s Dissertation Fellowships for Research Related to Education are open to doctoral degree candidates at graduate schools in the United States. The emphasis is on the improvement of education. Candidates should be interested in pursuing a career in education research. This is a competitive program, with 30 fellowships being awarded out of approximately 500 applications. The application deadline is in October. For more information write to Dissertation Fellowship Program, The Spencer Foundation, 875 North Michigan Avenue, Suite 3930, Chicago, Illinois 60611-1803, call 1-312-274-6526 or send email to fellows@spencer.org.
  • Harry S. Truman Scholarships: The Harry S. Truman Scholarships are open to college juniors who are US citizens and nationals and who want to go to graduate school in preparation for a career in public service (government or the nonprofit and advocacy sectors). The scholarship consists of a $26,000 grant. Truman Scholars are selected on the basis of their potential as future “change agents” who will improve the ways public entities serve the public good. Candidates should also have an extensive record of campus and community service. Candidates must be nominated by their college or university. Each college may nominate up to four students. (Four-year colleges and universities may also nominate up to three transfer students from two-year colleges.) Approximately 600 students are nominated and between 75 and 80 Truman Scholars are selected each year. The deadline is in early February.
  • Morris K. Udall Foundation Environmental Public Policy and Conflict Resolution PhD Fellowships: The Morris K. Udall Foundation awards two PhD dissertation fellowships of $24,000 to graduate students in the areas of environmental public policy or environmental conflict resolution. Candidates must be US citizens, permanent residents, or nationals. The application deadline is in early February. For more information, write to Morris K. Udall Dissertation Fellowship Program, Attn: Melissa Millage, 130 South Scott Avenue, Tucson, AZ 85701-1922, call 1-520-670-5542, or fax 1-520-670-5530.
  • Wenner-Gren Fellowships: The Wenner-Gren Foundation awards grants of up to $25,000 for Dissertation Fieldwork for basic research in anthropology. (They also award $25,000 Post-PhD Grants and $40,000 Richard Carely Hunt Postdoctoral Fellowships for research in anthropology.) Candidates for the Dissertation Fieldwork Grants must be enrolled in a program leading to a doctoral degree, and must complete all requirements for the degree other than the dissertation. Applications are made jointly with the candidate’s thesis advisor or other scholar who will supervise the project. US citizenship is not required. Deadlines are May 1 and January 1. For more information, call 1-212-683-5000, fax 1-212-683-9151, write to The Wenner-Gren Foundation, 470 Park Avenue South, 8th Floor, New York, NY 10016-6819, or send email to inquiries@wennergren.org

Our Staff

Hart, Vickie
Hart, Vickie
Administrative Secretary
304-384-5153
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Klein, Rodney
Klein, Rodney
Distinguished Professor of Psychology / Director of McNair Scholars Program
304-384-5222
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