The McKinney Scholars Program at the UNC Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute (FPG) is now accepting applications for its 2026 summer cohort—the application deadline is Friday, February 27, 2026, at 5:00 pm.

This paid summer internship, which is open to students who are enrolled full-time in an undergraduate degree program at a North Carolina HBCU, is coordinated by Sherra Lawrence, MA, a senior implementation specialist at FPG. The program is open to all HBCU attendees, and it is not based on race or gender.

“Students must have completed at least two years of classes and must be in good academic standing,” said Lawrence. “Sophomores and juniors currently majoring in child development, early education, psychology, or a related field, are encouraged to apply."

During the 9-week program, McKinney Scholars will reside on UNC’s campus and 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.

McKinney Scholars will gain familiarity with how FPG contributes to positive outcomes for young children and their families through research and evaluation, implementation, technical assistance, and policy engagement. In particular, they will further their understanding of the importance of research, practice, and policy, as well as the interconnections and pathways between each of these areas of work. With guidance from their mentors, each scholar will work on a program project focused on their interests related to one (or more) area of expertise at FPG:

• autism and developmental disabilities
• child health and development
• child welfare
• disparities in education and learning
• early care and education & pre-K education
• early intervention & special education
• K-12 education
• prevention science

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 internship experience culminates in a research symposium at summer’s end, where the McKinney Scholars will present their program projects.

2025 Scholars Share Insights

In a four-part web series, you can hear directly from the 2025 cohort of McKinney Scholars about what they learned over the course of their internships.

• Amaya Jeffers talks about her experience in the McKinney Scholars Program
• Aerryan Bentley talks about her experience in the McKinney Scholars Program
• Kyleigh Creighton talks about her experience in the McKinney Scholars Program
• Kamora Coleman talks about her experience in the McKinney Scholars Program

And to learn even more about the program, visit the McKinney Scholars Program webpage. Please direct questions about the program to Sherra Lawrence via email at fpg_edi@unc.edu email.