CHEVY CHASE, MD— The Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) announced five upcoming competitions for scientists across career stages, from undergraduates to senior faculty. This year’s Gilliam Fellows Program competition opens today. The program provides up to three years of generous support for second- and third-year PhD students and their advisors at eligible institutions. This year’s competition will welcome up to 80 Fellows, the largest cohort in the program’s history.
Throughout the fall, applications will also open for the Cech Fellows Program (undergraduates), Hanna H. Gray Fellows Program (postdoctoral scientists), and Freeman Hrabowski Scholars Program (early career faculty). The next HHMI Investigator competition, for mid- to senior-career faculty, opens on September 28, 2027 to any lab head at an eligible institution with at least seven years of independent lab head experience and holding an active nationally competitive, non-mentored grant of at least three years in duration.
For these competitions, HHMI is looking for talented scientists from all backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives, including those at universities, research institutes, and hospitals across the country where HHMI does not yet have a presence.
“Talented scientists are everywhere, and providing them sustained support through pivotal career transitions can make their most ambitious ideas possible,” said Leslie Vosshall , HHMI Vice President and Chief Scientific Officer. “Our programs give more researchers the time, resources, and freedom to pursue important questions – wherever they study or work.”
Currently, HHMI’s programs include nearly 600 lab heads and fellows working at more than 100 research institutions in 36 US states. Over the next decade, HHMI will support an additional 1,100 scientists across career stages and more than 1,500 undergraduates.
Gilliam Fellows Program – PhD Students
The Gilliam Fellows Program jointly supports PhD students and their advisors in advancing cutting-edge research and fostering the development of inclusive training environments. Fellows receive $65,000 per year for up to three years. Advisors receive mentorship training. For the first time, fellows can also apply for up to four additional years of postdoctoral support in any lab at an eligible HHMI institution in the United States. This year’s competition will select up to 80 Gilliam Fellows.
Eligibility : 2nd- and 3rd-year PhD or MD-PhD students at eligible institutions
Support: $65,000 per year ($50,000 annual stipend, plus discretionary allowance and professional development) for up to three years with the opportunity to apply for four additional years of postdoctoral support
Applications open : September 1, 2026
Applications close : October 27, 2026
Freeman Hrabowski Scholars and Hanna H. Gray Fellows Programs – Early Career Faculty and Postdocs
This cycle, HHMI is combining the Freeman Hrabowski Scholars and Hanna H. Gray Fellows programs into a single competition for postdocs and early career faculty. Freeman Hrabowski Scholars become HHMI employees and receive up to $10 million over ten years in support.
Hanna Gray Fellows are postdocs. For up to two years, they receive salary or stipend support, a research allowance, and professional development. They then start their own labs as faculty members and become Freeman Hrabowski Scholars. This year’s competition will select up to 50 scientists combined across both programs.
Eligibility : Postdocs and faculty at eligible institutions with up to seven years of experience since doctoral degree or transition to independence
Support:
Freeman Hrabowski Scholars receive a $500,000 research budget per year for the first five-year term and $600,000 per year for the second five-year term, plus salary and benefits.
Hanna Gray Fellows receive salary or stipend support, a research budget of up to $50,000 per year, and professional development for up to two years.
Applications open : November 3, 2026
Applications close : December 15, 2026
Cech Fellows Program – Summer Undergraduate Research Experience
The Cech Fellows Program is HHMI’s paid, nine-week summer research experience for rising juniors and seniors. Fellows are paired with HHMI scientists in laboratories across the country and at the HHMI Janelia Research Campus . The program’s inaugural 2026 cohort included 176 students, and the 2027 competition will admit up to 200 fellows.
Eligibility: Rising undergraduate juniors and seniors at any U.S. institution
Support: Up to $15,000 over nine weeks
Applications open : November 10, 2026
Applications close : December 17, 2026
HHMI Investigator Program – Mid- to Senior-Career Faculty
HHMI will open its next Investigator Program competition on September 28, 2027 for mid-career and senior faculty. HHMI appoints Investigators to renewable seven-year terms as HHMI employees, with full salary, benefits, and research support. HHMI Investigators choose their own research questions and can pursue long-term, ambitious projects.
The next competition will be open to more scientists than at any time in the program’s history. Any scientist at an eligible institution with at least seven years’ experience leading an independent lab can apply. There is no upper career-stage limit. Up to 40 new Investigators will be appointed.
Eligibility: Tenured or tenure-track (or equivalent) faculty at an HHMI eligible institution with 7+ years of lab head experience and with an active, nationally competitive, non-mentored grant of at least three years in duration.
Support: Salary, benefits, and research support, up to $10 million in the first seven-year term
Applications open: September 28, 2027
Applications close : March 7, 2028
For updates about upcoming competitions and program news, please sign up for HHMI’s newsletters .
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.