Through the McNair Medical Institute, the foundation invests in people pursuing medical breakthroughs that lead to cures for diseases.

Bob and Janice McNair's commitment to medical research was twofold: develop treatments and cures for diseases and bolster the city’s human capital by recruiting the world’s best medical scientists. The foundation honors their commitment through the McNair Medical Institute -- a subsidiary of the foundation wholly dedicated to this endeavor.

The McNair Medical Institute partners with Houston's preeminent medical institutions to recruit rising stars in the world of biomedical science. The scientists - distinguished as McNair Scholars - are awarded flexible dollars to conduct cutting-edge research. With these funds and the prestigious title of McNair Scholar, researchers join an elite cadre of medical scientists elevating Houston's ecosystem of biomedical innovation.

MMI also invests in aspiring physician-scientists. A select subset of students in the Medical Scientist Training Program at Baylor College of Medicine carry the title of McNair Scholar. With this honorific and the funding that comes with it, the best and brightest medical students are incentivized to pursue a PhD in medical science alongside a medical degree. Because the MD-PhD track requires an additional four to six years of training compared to medical school, our support helps ensure the strongest medical minds are not deterred from pursuing research alongside patient care.

McNair MD-PhD Scholars are not only learning how to be doctors, but training to solve medicine's biggest challenges. MMI's strategic commitment effectively fuels a pipeline of biomedical leaders well into the future.

MMI currently partners with Baylor College of Medicine, MDAnderson Cancer Center, Texas Children's Hospital, Rice University, and UTHealth in support of McNair faculty researchers. Support of MDPhD students is through an exclusive partnership with Baylor College of Medicine.

All inquiries related to McNair Scholars should be directed to our recipient partners.