The McKinney Scholars Program at the UNC Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute (FPG) is now accepting applications for its 2024 summer cohort (application deadline is March 14, 2024 at 5pm).

This summer internship is designed to create and support a pipeline for rising juniors and seniors who attend historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and are interested in pursuing careers in child development or a related discipline.

Sophomores and juniors currently attending a North Carolina HBCU and majoring in child development, early education, psychology, or a related field, are encouraged to apply.

During this 8-week summer internship on campus at UNC Chapel Hill, McKinney Scholars will work with a collection of rotating mentor teams to:

• get hands-on professional research experience;
• have exposure to leadership, structure, operations, and decision making;
• build professional relationships with renowned experts in the field;
• participate in professional activities such as conferences, poster presentations, and publications; and
• gain a greater understanding of professional opportunities and possible career pathways.

With guidance from their mentors, each scholar will work on a program project focused on their interests related to one (or more) area of work at FPG:

• autism and developmental disabilities
• child health and development
• child welfare
• early care and education & pre-K education
• early intervention & special education
• equity, diversity, and inclusion
• K-12 education

The McKinney Scholars Program is part of UNC’s Summer Undergraduate Pipeline, which provides participants access to a series of professional development seminars that cover effective communication techniques; how to develop CVs/resumes and personal statements; and how to apply to graduate school, secure recommendations, and locate advisors and labs. The full 8-week experience culminates in a research symposium at summer’s end, where McKinney Scholars will present their program project.

To learn more about the program, visit the McKinney Scholars Program webpage. Please direct questions about the program to FPG’s Diversity & Inclusion Committee Chair, Sherra Lawrence via email at fpg_edi@unc.edu email.