The federally funded TRIO programs began with Upward Bound, which emerged out of the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964. Upward Bound is committed to increasing the retention and graduation rates of high school students who are at risk of dropping out and to increasing the enrollment of these students into higher education. Participants must be thirteen years or older and have completed the eighth grade, but not yet entered the twelfth grade. They must also meet project income guidelines and/or be potential first generation college-bound students. During the academic year, these students attend workshops and enrichment groups in academic advising, goal setting, tutoring, classroom instruction, motivation, and career counseling/testing. The six-week Upward Bound summer academic enrichment program develops students' social, academic, and leadership skills. Students attend classes on the University of Notre Dame campus in reading, math, science, English, study skills, and electives. Students from the four South Bend high schools (Adams, Clay, Riley, and Washington) are eligible to participate in the program.

The University of Notre Dame Upward Bound Program grant was first developed by Professor Robert Christin in 1965 and submitted to the United States Department of Education. In 1966, Notre Dame's Upward Bound program became the first of its kind in the nation. The program has been funded continuously by the federal government since 1966, making it one of the oldest programs in the nation. Since its inception, the program has served over 5,000 students who have successfully completed high school and enrolled in a post-secondary institution.