HHMI Investigator Program
HHMI Investigator Program supports established scientists pursuing bold, long-term basic biological and biomedical research to advance understanding of how biology works.
Funder: Howard Hughes Medical Institute
Due Dates: September 28, 2027 (Applications open) | March 7, 2028 (Applications close)
Funding Amounts: Up to $10 million in the initial seven-year term, including salary, benefits, and research support
Summary: Long-term support for established scientists pursuing bold basic biological and biomedical research that advances understanding of how biology works.
Key Information: Investigators become HHMI employees while retaining academic appointments and laboratories at their home institutions.
Description
The Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Investigator Program supports established researchers, including physician-scientists, whose work fundamentally changes understanding of how biology works. Guided by a philosophy of supporting “people, not projects,” the program gives investigators freedom to choose their research questions and pursue ambitious, long-term work. It supports basic biological and biomedical sciences across many disciplines and organisms, from molecular and cellular studies to research on organisms and populations.
The program pairs scientific excellence with inclusive, collaborative lab leadership. Investigators are expected to recruit, mentor, and inspire a wide range of trainees, preparing early career scientists for future success. They also join a community of HHMI scientists spanning career stages, with opportunities to collaborate, share research at scientific meetings, and develop leadership and mentorship skills.
