Extending its community outreach and assistance, LSU University College's Ronald E. McNair Research Scholars program is accepting applications for its 2017 cohort.

The McNair Research Scholars program is an initiative aimed at providing undergraduate research internships and graduate school application assistance for students that are the first in their families to graduate from college or that need financial help and come from an ethnic group that is underrepresented in graduate school.

The ideal candidate is a sophomore with a 3.0 GPA or higher who is interested in going to graduate school and conducting research or who is involved in a research lab that could use extra funding and help preparing for graduate school.

Matthew Johnson, a University alumnus in biological sciences and a recipient of the McNair Research Scholars program, said it was a big help for getting into graduate school.

"The McNair Research Scholars program has been a great opportunity to get into undergraduate research. The program paired me with a faculty mentor, and we have developed a great relationship," Johnson said in a news release.

He is conducting research on genomics, or how genomes of organics have evolved.

The McNair Research Scholars program also provides mentorship. The students are paired with a faculty member who helps them along the way. Students also go to workshops that will help them stand out as strong graduate applicants.

Joseph Givens, the director of the McNair Research Scholars program, said the initiative produces some of the top graduate students in the country.

Mentors advise their students on proper resources and strategies on receiving graduate school funding. The McNair Research Scholars program rewards up $2,800 in funding per academic year for undergraduate research. Students are taught the basics of scientific and scholastic research. The program also helps students in finding funded undergraduate research opportunities throughout the United States and abroad.

LaTerricka Smith, a political science senior, said she has been able to meet people with the same interests as her through the McNair Research Scholars program. Applications for the McNair Research Scholars program are due Nov. 4. Applications are available at lsu.edu/mcnair.