March 11, 2008

HHMI Offers New Grant Program for Early Career Faculty

The Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) announced a major new grant program for early career faculty in wide variety of fields, including all areas of basic biological and biomedical research, and areas of chemistry, physics, computer science, and engineering that are directly related to biology or medicine.

In the 2009 Early Career Scientist Competition, HHMI is offering over $300 million total to support as many as 70 investigators. Awardees will receive six-year, non-renewable appointments including full salary and research support while remaining affiliated with their home institution. A second competition is planned for 2011.

Applicants must have between two and six years of experience since first being appointed as an assistant professor or equivalent. The applicant's first faculty position as assistant professor must have begun no earlier than June 1, 2002, and no later than September 1, 2006.

Individuals who are selected as early career scientists may hold only one other early career award from a federal agency (for example, the NIH Director's New Innovator Award or the NSF CAREER Award) or comparable award from a foundation. Applicants may hold one or more grants from NIH, NSF, or other sponsors. Researchers without such grants are also eligible.

Prospective applicants must indicate intention to apply by April 30, 2008, at 2 p.m. ET, through the electronic application system on the HHMI web site.