The McNair Scholars Program is a federally funded TRIO program named in honor of Ronald E. McNair, Ph.D., who perished aboard the Challenger space shuttle in January 1986. The McNair Scholars Program helps talented first-generation college students in financial need and those from groups underrepresented in doctoral study to prepare for successful admission into and completion of doctoral programs. To date, 88% of UA's McNair Scholar alumni have pursued post-baccalaureate study. While undergraduates, Scholars receive a stipend while they conduct research with faculty mentors and engage in other scholarly activities. The University of Alabama receives approximately ninety percent ($225,000 annually) of the McNair Scholars Program budget from the U.S. Department of Education to serve 25 students each year. The McNair Scholars Program is based in the University's Graduate School and partners with the McNair Scholars Advisory Board for program planning and development. The next deadline for applications to become a McNair Scholar is Friday, November 6, 2009.