Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) Hanna H. Gray Fellows Program

The goal of the Hanna H. Gray Fellows Program is to recruit and retain individuals from gender, racial, ethnic, and other groups underrepresented in the life sciences, including those individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds. The program will support early career scientists with the potential to become leaders in academic research. HHMI will assess the applicant’s potential for a career as an independent academic researcher and the quality of the training environment with the selected mentor.

Following the “people, not projects” philosophy of HHMI, the competition is open to those dedicated to basic research from both doctoral and/or medical training paths in the biomedical and life science disciplines, including plant biology, evolutionary biology, biophysics, chemical biology, biomedical engineering, and computational biology. Fellows have freedom to change their research focus and follow their own curiosity for the duration of the award.

Fellows will receive funding through their academic institution for postdoctoral training and may continue to receive funding during their early career years as independent faculty. The program provides opportunities for career development, including mentoring and networking with others in the HHMI scientific community.

Fellows will receive annual support of a $70,000 salary for the initial year and a $20,000 expense allowance, paid through a non-renewable grant to the training institution. This phase of the award is for a minimum of two and maximum of four years.