About Upward Bound and Upward Bound Math Science Programs

Welcome to the Upward Bound and Upward Bound Math Science Programs at the University of Nevada, Reno. Participation in these highly competitive college preparatory programs is an honor and a privilege. These are federally funded programs designed to assist motivated, hard-working students in building a bright future through educational achievement. Upward Bound and Upward Bound Math Science students are role models, leaders, and scholars.

History of TRIO Upward Bound

Upward Bound, the country’s first federal program to prepare low-income students for college, emerged out of the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964. The program began as an experimental program in 1966, enrolling 2,061 participants at 17 programs the following year. Over the years, 850,000 low-income, first-generation students have been served by more than 2,800 programs nationwide. Here in Northern Nevada, the Upward Bound Washoe Grant has been continuously funded at the University of Nevada, Reno since 1967, making it one of the oldest Upward Bound programs in the nation.

The University of Nevada, Reno currently houses three TRIO Classic Upward Bound Programs and one Upward Bound Math Science Program. Collectively, the programs annually serve 246 LIFG students at eight target high schools in Washoe and Lyon counties.

The TRIO Upward Bound Programs have a rich tradition of academic success in Northern Nevada. All four grants have been funded through 2022, and the fall of 2017 marked the 50th year of Upward Bound at the University of Nevada, Reno.