Clarkson University and St. Lawrence University will receive $531,866 in funding from the United States Department of Education’s Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program, Congresswoman Elise Stefanik announced.

“As a member of the House Committee on Education and Labor, ensuring our students are prepared for higher education is a top priority of mine,” Stefanik said.

The funds will be used to prepare under-represented and economically disadvantaged studens at both schools pursue doctoral studies in research and other activities, Stefanik said.

St. Lawrence will receive $269,978 and Clarkson will receive $261,888 as part of the program.

These grants are the first year of funding in what will be a five year grant for the McNair Program at these institutions.