Faculty planning to apply to the current HHMI competition may contact Matt Boitano, Director of Foundation Engagement, at mboitano@ucdavis.edu for one-on-one support with defining the scope of an application, reviewing draft materials, and receiving detailed feedback.

Annual Competition

  • Gilliam Fellows Program: Second- and third-year Ph.D. students in the biological and biomedical sciences. The competition closes Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. ET (Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026 at 8:59 p.m. PDT).

Competition Held Every Two Years

Beginning with the 2028 cycle, the following programs will use a single, combined competition, with applicants reviewed according to their career stage:

Applications open Nov. 3, 2026, at 9 a.m. ET and close Dec. 15, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. ET.

Competition Held Every Five Years

  • HHMI Investigator Program: Mid-career and senior faculty who have held their first independent faculty position for at least seven years, with no upper career-stage limit.

Applications open: Sept. 28, 2027. Applications close: March 7, 2028.

HHMI June 2026 Virtual Event Recording

Watch HHMI’s “Becoming an HHMI Scientist” virtual event

Hear directly from HHMI’s Science Programs team about its early career programs, what reviewers look for in candidates, and how to prepare a strong application.