Freeman Hrabowski Scholars Program
The Freeman Hrabowski Scholars Program funds early career scientists in basic biology and biomedicine, supporting research, professional development, and inclusive mentoring for up to ten years.
Funder: Howard Hughes Medical Institute
Due Dates: November 3, 2026 (Next competition opens; biannual cycle)
Funding Amounts: Full salary and benefits as HHMI employee, annual research funding, and capital equipment support for 5 years (renewable for a second 5-year term)
Summary: Supports outstanding early career faculty and physician-scientists in basic research with comprehensive funding, resources, and professional development to foster scientific excellence and inclusive mentoring.
Key Information: Program eligibility expanded for 2026 to include postdocs within two years before and up to seven years after starting a tenure-track position.
Description
The Freeman Hrabowski Scholars Program, launched by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI), provides comprehensive support to exceptional early career faculty and physician-scientists in the basic biological and biomedical sciences. The program is dedicated to advancing scientific excellence and fostering inclusive mentoring environments. Scholars are appointed as HHMI lab heads for an initial five-year term, renewable for a second five-year term upon successful progress evaluation. During their appointment, scholars remain affiliated with their home institutions while receiving full salary, benefits, annual research funding, and access to capital equipment resources as HHMI employees. The program also emphasizes professional development, leadership, and integration into the broader HHMI scientific community.
Beginning in 2026, the program expands eligibility to postdoctoral researchers pursuing faculty positions, who, if selected, will join as Hanna Gray Fellows while postdocs and then transition to the Scholars Program upon faculty appointment.
