Freeman Hrabowski Scholars Program

Overview

Freeman Hrabowski Scholars Program

Freeman Hrabowski Scholars are employed by HHMI and maintain an academic appointment and lab at their research institutions, similar to HHMI Investigators. The appointment is for a five-year term as an HHMI lab head, renewable for a second five-year term following a successful progress evaluation.

Scholars receive up to $8.6 million over the 10-year period. This includes full salary and benefits, a research budget of approximately $400,000 per year over the first five years ($600,000 per year during the second five years), and eligibility to participate in the HHMI capital equipment program.

Scholars are required to spend at least 80 percent of their time on their research; the remainder may be spent on related professional activities such as teaching, academic service, patient care, and consulting (subject to HHMI’s consulting policies). Scientists in this program have the freedom to change their research focus, following their scientific curiosity.

Scholars prioritize scientific excellence in their own research, while fostering an inclusive lab environment and becoming role models of inclusive lab leadership. Scholars will attract, support, and train undergraduates, PhD, MD, and MD-PhD students, and postdoctoral fellows in their labs. Through this approach, this program seeks to support both current and future generations of scientists. In addition, the program aims to protect Scholars’ time by directly incorporating diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts into the work of trainee mentoring and the active conduct of research.

Scholars also participate in professional development to advance their leadership and mentoring skills.

Eligibility

_We've imported the main document for this grant to give you an overview. You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's [website]().
_

Application Details

2025
Program
Announcement
Applications due:
May 15, 2024, at 3 p.m. (ET)
Scholars selected and notified:
April 2025
Earliest start date:
September 2025
www.hhmi.org/fhs

For US science, one of today’s most pressing challenges is to maximize scientific impact by building
a workforce that fully reflects our diverse country. To pioneer life-saving medications, transformative
technology, and basic knowledge that the whole world needs, we can’t afford to leave talent behind. The
Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) is committed to addressing this challenge through our science
and education mission. HHMI’s strategy is to influence academic science at key points along career
pathways, from undergraduate to tenured faculty.
See more at diversity.hhmi.org.
HHMI is seeking creative Freeman Hrabowski Scholars will be outstanding basic
and innovative early career researchers, including physician-scientists, who have
faculty for our Freeman strong potential to become leaders in their fields and
Hrabowski Scholars Program. to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion through their
mentoring efforts and understanding of systemic exclusion
and marginalization in science of trainees from different
backgrounds. Scholars will prioritize scientific excellence
in their own research while creating an inclusive lab climate
that serves as a model within their own institutions and
beyond. Eligible research areas are in the biological and
biomedical sciences and include many scientific disciplines
in a wide range of organisms.
Up to 30 Freeman Hrabowski Scholars will be selected
in 2025, with future competitions anticipated every other year.
The competition is open to all eligible applicants.
2025 Freeman Hrabowski Scholars Program 02

HOWARD HUGHES
04 MEDICAL INSTITUTE
The Howard Hughes Medical Institute
Program Overview
(HHMI) advances the discovery and sharing
of scientific knowledge to benefit us all.
05 Founded in 1953, HHMI is a biomedical
research organization and philanthropy with a
Eligibility
vibrant community of researchers, educators,
students, and professionals. Together, we’re
unlocking the fundamentals of biology and
06
building an open, inclusive future for science.
Application Process
HHMI is committed to six core values:
Excellence, Collaboration, Innovation, Integrity,
07
Inclusion, and Developing Others.
Selection Process
Key Dates DR. FREEMAN A.
HRABOWSKI III
The Freeman Hrabowski Scholars Program
08
honors the contributions of Dr. Freeman
Expectations A. Hrabowski III, president emeritus of the
University of Maryland, Baltimore County
(UMBC), and a major force in increasing the
09
number of scientists, engineers, and physicians
from backgrounds underrepresented in
Key Terms
science in the United States. Dr. Hrabowski’s
Contact
leadership sparked the development of new
and growing programs at UMBC, HHMI, and
other institutions around the US, including the
renowned Meyerhoff Scholars Program for
undergraduate students.
2025 Freeman Hrabowski Scholars Program 03

Program
Overview
Following HHMI’s philosophy of supporting “people, not projects,” the Freeman Hrabowski
Scholars competition is open to all early career faculty at eligible US institutions who hold PhD
and/or MD degrees and conduct research within a broad range of scientific disciplines in the
life sciences. For the duration of their appointment, Scholars will have freedom to change their
research focus following their scientific curiosity.
Freeman Hrabowski Scholars will be employed by while fostering an inclusive lab environment
HHMI and will maintain an academic appointment and becoming role models of inclusive lab
and lab at their research institutions, similar to leadership. Scholars will attract, support, and train
HHMI Investigators. Scholars will be appointed to undergraduates, PhD, MD, and MD-PhD students,
a five-year term, renewable for a second five-year and postdoctoral fellows in their labs. Through
term after a successful progress evaluation. this approach, the program seeks to support both
current and future generations of scientists. In
Scholars will receive up to $8.6 million over the
addition, the program aims to protect Scholars’
ten-year period, including full salary and benefits,
time by directly incorporating diversity, equity,
a research budget of approximately $400,000
and inclusion efforts into the work of trainee
per year over the first five years ($600,000 per
mentoring and the active conduct of research.
year during the second five years), and
eligibility to participate in the HHMI capital Scholars will participate in professional
equipment program. development to advance their leadership and
mentoring skills. In addition, Scholars will become
Scholars will be required to spend at least 80
part of HHMI’s broader community, joining and
percent of their time on their research; the
contributing to scientific meetings and events
remainder may be spent on related professional
alongside HHMI Investigators, Janelia Research
activities, such as teaching, academic service,
Campus Group Leaders, Hanna Gray Fellows,
patient care, and consulting (subject to HHMI’s
Gilliam Fellows, and others representing a range
consulting policies).
of career stages.
Freeman Hrabowski Scholars will prioritize
scientific excellence in their own research,
2025 Freeman Hrabowski Scholars Program 04

Eligibility
THE COMPETITION IS OPEN TO INDIVIDUALS WHO:
Hold a PhD and/or MD (or equivalent) Are authorized to work in the US or can
obtain work authorization for the duration
Began their first post-training position and began of employment (HHMI sponsors visas for
a tenure-track (or equivalent) faculty position on or eligible individuals.)
after March 1, 2020, or have accepted an offer for a
tenure-track (or equivalent) position that will begin
no later than March 1, 2025
Maintain a tenure-track appointment or equivalent This is an open competition and
at an eligible US institution (Federal government there are no limits on the number
employees are not eligible.) of applicants or Scholars from
an institution.
Have a research focus in the biological and
biomedical sciences, working across many
scientific disciplines in a wide range
of organisms
{
HHMI seeks a broad and diverse applicant pool. We encourage applications from
individuals of all backgrounds, including members of groups underrepresented
{ in science and from institutions not previously affiliated with HHMI. The
Freeman Hrabowski Scholars program is an employment program, and HHMI
is committed to equal opportunity employment. All qualified applicants receive
consideration without regard to sex, race, color, age, national origin, religion,
sexual orientation, gender identity, protected veteran status, disability, ancestry,
genetic status or characteristic, citizenship, or other legally protected status.
2025 Freeman Hrabowski Scholars Program 05

Application
Process
Applicants may establish eligibility and apply via the HHMI Application and Review Channel
beginning February 14, 2024. Applications must be submitted by May 15, 2024, at 3:00 p.m. (ET).
The application includes the Additional components will be
following components: requested for finalists only.
Brief summary of prior research The finalist’s chair and dean will be asked
to describe how the department will support
Description of ongoing and planned
the Scholar, the departmental/institutional
research program
expectations of the Scholar (e.g. teaching
Three selected scientific contributions the load), and how the department will support
applicant would like to highlight, as well as a the transition away from HHMI at the end of
paragraph for each contribution describing the Scholar’s appointment.
its significance and impact
Additionally, current lab members and former
Responses to HHMI culture and climate mentees will be asked to complete a brief
questions focused on mentoring and Lab Survey about the finalist’s mentoring
understanding of systemic exclusion and and leadership skills.
lack of representation in science, as well
as the importance of fostering an inclusive
lab environment that enables trainees of all
backgrounds to succeed
Additional applicant information such as
a bibliography, training and employment
history, and a list of current research support
2025 Freeman Hrabowski Scholars Program 06

Selection
Process Key Dates
Applications will be rigorously reviewed by Applications open:
scientific experts and experts in diversity,
February 14, 2024
equity, and inclusion. Those selected
as Scholars will have a strong record of Applications due:
performing high-quality science with May 15, 2024, at 3 p.m. (ET)
bold future research plans. Scholars will
also display deep knowledge of systemic
exclusion and marginalization in science,
Notification of status for all applicants:
with evidence of a strong commitment to
December 2024
mentoring and the creation of an inclusive
lab environment.
Virtual scientific interview for finalists:
March 18–19, 2025
Those selected as finalists will:
Virtual mentoring interview for finalists:
Be asked to record a video presentation
April 1–2, 2025
describing their research accomplishments
and research plans (due January 22, 2025)
Participate in a virtual scientific interview Scholars selected and notified:
April 2025
with an advisory panel and HHMI leadership
(March 18 or 19, 2025)
Participate in a virtual mentoring interview Earliest start date:
September 2025
(April 1 or 2, 2025)
2025 Freeman Hrabowski Scholars Program 07

Expectations
SCHOLARS WILL BE EXPECTED TO:
Spend at least 80 percent of their time on Participate in professional development
their research; the remainder may be spent to advance their leadership and
on related professional activities such as mentoring skills
teaching, academic service, patient care,
Abide by HHMI’s policies for lab heads,
and consulting (subject to HHMI’s
including the conduct of science and the
consulting policies)
open access policy concerning scientific
Create an inclusive lab climate that serves publication (This includes sharing of
as a model within their own institutions materials, data, and software, and the open
and beyond exchange of ideas.)
Attract, support, and train undergraduates, Display the highest level of integrity and
PhD, MD, and MD-PhD students, and collegiality within their host institutions and
postdoctoral fellows in their labs through the broader research community
scientific excellence, culturally aware {
mentoring, and inclusive lab environments
{ Information sessions about the Freeman Hrabowski Scholars Program
will be held via Zoom Webinar on March 4, 2024, at 2 p.m. (ET) and
March 12, 2024, at 3 p.m. (ET). Visit the program page to register
or view the recorded webinars.
2025 Freeman Hrabowski Scholars Program 08

Key Terms
Scholars must retain their academic A Scholar is eligible to request a transfer to a
appointments at their respective host institution new host institution for certain personal, family,
and must become full-time employees of HHMI. or medical reasons at any time during their
appointment. A Scholar is eligible to request a
Scholars will be appointed to a five-year term,
transfer for reasons other than personal, family,
renewable for a second five-year term following
or medical reasons during their second five-year
a successful progress evaluation.
term (see FAQ).
HHMI will provide full salary and benefits, along
Host institutions will receive lab space occupancy
with $2 million of research support during the
payments but will not receive indirect cost
five-year appointment period ($3 million during
payments, consistent with the arrangements
the second five-year period), and eligibility to
made for HHMI Investigators.
participate in the HHMI capital equipment
program.
The starting salary range for Scholars is currently
estimated to be $164,000 to $264,000 with
salaries determined by HHMI’s standard salary
scale for lab heads. The HHMI lab head salary
scale is reviewed annually and is subject to
change. Additional information on the salary scale
is available in the program FAQ.
CONTACTS
For further details, see the Freeman Hrabowski
Scholars Program page, FAQ, and online
application site. For questions, contact
FHScholars@hhmi.org.
© 2024 Howard Hughes Medical Institute
2025 Freeman Hrabowski Scholars Program 09