The Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program (McNair Scholars Program) is a TRIO Program funded by a grant from the federal Department of Education to prepare talented undergraduates for graduate study, with the goal of increasing the number of Ph.D. recipients from underrepresented socio-economic and ethnic groups. To be eligible, students must either be first-generation and income-eligible, or a member of a group that is underrepresented in higher education.

The McNair Scholars Program is a program within the Staley School of Leadership and is structured to prepare undergraduates for successful careers as professors and professional researchers. Scholars receive advice and assistance in preparing themselves academically for graduate school, searching for graduate programs to apply to, completing the application process, and deciding what program to enter. This preparation is offered in the form of classes, colloquia, advising, tutoring, faculty mentoring, and the completion of a Summer Research Internship. Scholars conduct original research, write reports, make presentations, and have the opportunity to attend research conferences.