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Molinaroli College of Engineering and Computing

McNAIR Fellowship Program

The McNAIR Fellowship program is designed to enhance the career growth and development of undergraduate students through hands-on experiential learning, innovation, and research. The skills and knowledge that you gain by working closely with a faculty mentor is the type of experience that is highly desirable for employers and increases competitiveness for your future career.

Program Overview

The McNAIR Fellows Program offers two distinct tracks; one focused on building foundational research skills and the other on developing advanced research leadership. The McNAIR Fellows Program supports undergraduate students in engineering and computing as they grow into skilled researchers and future leaders in innovation:

McNAIR Senior Fellows

This track is designed to develop advanced research leadership skills by engaging participants in both the federal fellowship proposal‑writing process and in understanding the mechanisms that enable impactful research. For students graduating in Fall 2026, Spring 2027, or Summer 2027 who are:

  • Planning to pursue graduate school at USC (MS or Ph.D.).
  • Agree to develop and submit an NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP) proposal or similar federal graduate fellowship application.
Support:
  • Up to $6,000 in summer salary.
  • Focused programming on federal fellowship writing, graduate school preparation, and advanced research engagement.
McNAIR Rising Fellows

This track is designed to enhance early research skills and support continued growth. For students graduating Fall 2027 or after.

Support:
  • Up to $3,000 in summer salary
  • Emphasis on research skill-building, experiential learning, and mentor-guided project development

Mission

To provide a transformative environment where undergraduate students develop the mindset, skills, and experience necessary to lead innovative research efforts, both at USC and beyond.

Please direct questions to Dr. Austin Downey at AustinDowney@sc.edu.

Program Committee:

  • Dr. Austin Downey – Program Director, Associate Professor, Mechanical Engineering
  • Dr. Dezhi Wu – Professor, Integrated Information Technology
  • Dr. Kristen Booth – Assistant Professor, Electrical Engineering

Student Eligibility & Application Process

 

Eligibility – Rising Fellows
  • Must graduate after Summer 2027
  • Must propose work with a Molinaroli College of Engineering & Computing faculty researcher
  • Must have previous research experience (500 hours, or approximately 20 hours/week over ~6 months)
  • Must be in good standing with the University
  • Must commit 20 hours/week during the summer
  • Must commit to presenting a poster in person at the USC  Summer Research Symposium, which typically happens in the last week of July or the first week of August. 
  • Program dates are any full workdays between May 15 - July 31 and include the day of the USC Summer Research Symposium, which may happen after July 31st (typically the first week of August).
Eligibility – Senior Fellows
  • Students graduating Fall 2026 / Spring 2027 / Summer 2027
  • Must be planning to attend USC Graduate School (MS or Ph.D.) and be eligible for acceptance. 
  • Must commit to developing and submitting an NSF GRFP or similar federal fellowship application. Due to federal fellowship requirements, Senior Fellows must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents. Special exceptions may be made for students applying to another targeted federal graduate fellowship for which they are eligible that provides at least 24 months of graduate funding; such students must contact the Program Director for approval prior to submitting an application.
  • Must propose work with a Molinaroli College of Engineering & Computing faculty researcher
  • Must have previous research experience (1,000 hours, or approximately 20 hours/week over ~1 year)
  • Must be in good standing with the University
  • Must commit a full-time effort (40 hours a week) over the summer with no other full-time employment (internships, co-ops, etc.)
  • Must commit to presenting a poster in person at the USC  Summer Research Symposium, which typically happens in the last week of July or the first week of August. 
  • Program dates are any full workdays between May 15 - July 31 and include the day of the USC  Summer Research Symposium, which may happen after July 31st (typically the first week of August).

Application Process (Both Tracks)

 
Rising Fellows Application Process
  • Finalize a project with an MCEC faculty research mentor.
  • Review the budget process and Junior Fellows requirements.
  • Complete the McNAIR Junior Fellows application form. https://forms.office.com/r/STmiz2DYrN - When submitted, an automated email will be sent to your mentor requesting that they complete the Mentor Application Form.
  • Applicants may be contacted for an interview.
Senior Fellows Application Process
  • Finalize a project with an MCEC faculty research mentor.
  • Review the budget process and Senior Fellows requirements.
  • Complete the McNAIR Senior Fellows application form. https://forms.office.com/r/Ygs3N7kmug - When submitted, an automated email will be sent to your mentor requesting that they complete the Mentor Application Form.
  • Upload a 1‑page project proposal (PDF) outlining the project hypothesis, planned tasks, timeline, and metrics for success. This proposal must cover the project period from May 15 to July 31.
  • Applicants may be contacted for an interview.

Mentor Eligibility & Process

  • Mentors for the Senior Fellows track must be faculty who are eligible to advise or co-advise graduate students in their department.
    • If a mentor is only permitted to co-advise graduate students under departmental policy, the student must contact the Program Director for special permission and provide a plan outlining how graduate advising and mentorship will be supported.
  • Mentors for the Junior Fellows track may be any MCEC tenure-track or non-tenure-track faculty.
  • Postdocs and graduate students may not serve as primary mentors.
  • Students must submit the application first; mentors will then receive a link to complete their required form.

Budget Process

 

Rising Fellows
  • Up to $3000 summer salary.
  • Salary and poster printing (no supplies or travel).
Senior Fellows
  • Up to $6000 summer salary.
  • Focused on intensive research and NSF GRFP (or similar) proposal development.
  • Salary and poster printing (no supplies or travel).

Award Requirements

 
Rising Fellows Requirements
  • Presence in Columbia; no remote option.
  • Attend orientation, required seminars, and program graduation.
  • Complete CITI RCR training.
  • Register your summer research in the USC Research Registry.
  • Present a poster at the Summer Poster Symposium.
Senior Fellows Requirements
  • Full-time summer engagement.
  • Attend orientation, required seminars, and program graduation.
  • Complete CITI RCR training.
  • Register your summer research in the USC Research Registry.
  • Present a poster at the Summer Poster Symposium.
  • Complete all Junior Fellow requirements plus:
    • Participate in structured NSF GRFP proposal development workshops.
    • Produce a competitive NSF GRFP (or similar) fellowship application.
    • Engage in advanced research under faculty mentorship.
Program Encouragements

All fellows are encouraged to:

  • Pursue Graduation with Leadership Distinction (Research pathway).
  • Publish and present research findings as recommended by their mentor.
  • Apply for additional internal and external research funding.

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