CHEVY CHASE, MD —Today, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) opened its combined competition for the Freeman Hrabowski Scholars and the Hanna H. Gray Fellows programs for early-career faculty and senior postdocs. These programs offer long-term support worth up to $10 million over 10 years and will welcome a cohort of up to 50 Scholars and Fellows. The competition window will remain open through December 15, 2026, and future competitions will happen every other year.
The Freeman Hrabowski Scholars and Hanna H. Gray Fellows programs reflect HHMI’s philosophy of supporting “people, not projects.” Scholars and Fellows are expected to be models of scientific excellence and inclusive lab leadership, and to recruit, mentor, and inspire a wide range of trainees.
“Early-career scientists are the lifeblood of the scientific enterprise, but their boldest ideas are often hampered by a lack of dedicated support,” said HHMI Vice President and Chief Scientific Officer Leslie Vosshall . “With these programs, HHMI is making a long-term investment in brilliant scientists at the start of their careers, giving them the runway to pursue research that can shape the next big scientific breakthroughs and creating inclusive, collaborative research environments that prepare their trainees for future success.”
Long-term support at the early-career stage in a scientific career empowers talented scientists to confidently take on ambitious projects, grow labs, and train the next generation of researchers. It represents an investment in talented people whose impact will be felt in fields for decades.
Launched in 2022, the Freeman Hrabowski Scholars Program is open to faculty within seven years of their first independent scientist appointment. Recipients become HHMI employees, receiving full salary, benefits, and research support across up to two five-year terms. The Hanna H. Gray Fellows Program was created in 2016 to support the transition from postdoctoral scientist to independent lab head. Applicants must have no more than seven years of postdoctoral experience, and those selected have up to two years to transition to a qualifying faculty position. At that point, Fellows automatically become Freeman Hrabowski Scholars. Meanwhile, Fellows receive a salary or stipend commensurate with experience, plus $50,000 in additional research funding per year, and support for their faculty searches. The programs will hold a single, combined competition, but applicants for each program will be evaluated separately.
Both programs seek scientists who not only demonstrate research excellence but also show promise as inclusive lab leaders. As Freeman Hrabowski Scholars and Hanna H. Gray Fellows, these scientists will also participate in HHMI’s Science Leadership & Lab Culture (SLLC) program , which offers tailored professional development opportunities and coaching designed to help HHMI-supported scientists develop inclusive and welcoming lab environments.
“These programs are not just support mechanisms. They are also vibrant communities for future scientific leaders who have the potential to both transform the research landscape and create thriving lab cultures,” said José Faraldo-Gómez, Senior Director and Scientific Program Officer . “We encourage researchers from all institutions to apply, including those from institutions that have not previously hosted HHMI scientists.”
The application window for the combined competition runs from November 3, 2026, to December 15, 2026. Interested applicants are encouraged to visit HHMI’s application portal to check eligibility and begin the application process.
Key Dates:
Freeman Hrabowski Scholars
Eligibility: Faculty within seven years of their first independent scientist appointment
Support: HHMI employment with full salary, benefits, and research support worth up to $10 million over 10 years, across up to two five-year terms
Hanna H. Gray Fellows
Eligibility: Postdocs with no more than seven years of postdoctoral experience
Support: Salary or stipend commensurate with experience, plus $50,000 in additional research support per year, and support for faculty searches. Fellows become Freeman Hrabowski Scholars upon securing a qualifying faculty appointment by May 1, 2030
About Freeman A. Hrabowski III
The Freeman Hrabowski Scholars Program honors the contributions of Dr. Freeman A. Hrabowski III, President Emeritus of the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC), and a transformative figure in increasing the number of scientists, engineers, and physicians from backgrounds less represented in science in the United States. Among Dr. Hrabowski’s most enduring contributions is the Meyerhoff Scholars Program at UMBC, which has become a national model for training scientists and engineers from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences.
About Hanna H. Gray
The Hanna H. Gray Fellows Program honors the contributions and service of Hanna Holborn Gray, HHMI’s former Board Chair, an HHMI Trustee for nearly three decades, and former president of the University of Chicago. During her tenure, the Institute launched initiatives to improve science education, built the Janelia Research Campus, and expanded flagship programs that opened doors for talented scientists across all career stages.
About HHMI
The Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) is a private scientific research institution advancing the discovery and sharing of scientific knowledge for the benefit of humanity. For more than 70 years, HHMI has invested in scientists whose discoveries deepen our understanding of biology and improve human health. We support pathbreaking science at universities, hospitals, and research institutes throughout the country and at our Janelia Research Campus. HHMI also invests in innovative approaches to science education and public engagement to prepare the next generation of scientists and bring science to a wider public.