Gilliam Fellows Program

Gilliam Fellows Program is sponsored by Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI). The HHMI Gilliam Fellows Program supports PhD students and their faculty thesis advisors, advancing cutting-edge research and fostering inclusive scientific training environments. It aims to support the transition to postdoctoral scientist.

PhD and Postdoc Transition Program | HHMI Gilliam Fellows Program The HHMI Gilliam Fellows Program is an early career initiative that supports PhD students and their faculty advisors as they pursue ambitious science and build inclusive training environments. The program is unique in supporting both graduate students and their faculty PhD advisors as mentor-mentee pairs.

Gilliam Fellows receive up to three years of stipend support and a discretionary allowance during their PhD training, along with professional development programming tailored to both students and advisors. Through HHMI Science Meetings and the Gilliam Annual Meeting, Fellows join a thriving scientific community that spans disciplines and career stages .

Gilliam PhD Fellows interested in pursuing an academic research career may apply for four additional years of postdoctoral support as Gilliam Postdoc Fellows. This phase considers graduate research accomplishments, career aspirations, and the suitability of the proposed training environment, and includes tailored professional development to support Fellows' progression toward independent academic research careers.

Across both phases, the Gilliam Fellows Program fosters a cohesive community committed to scientific growth, effective mentorship, and inclusive research environments in which all scientists can thrive. Last updated: July 20, 2026 Join our email list for news about the Gilliam Fellows Program, community, and competition.

“BECOMING AN HHMI SCIENTIST” VIRTUAL EVENt Learn more about HHMI’s early career programs — including what we look for in candidates and how to craft a strong application — straight from our Science Programs team, covering the Gilliam Fellows, Hanna H. Gray Fellows , and Freeman Hrabowski Scholars Programs.

Who’s Eligible: Second- and third-year PhD students in the basic biological and biomedical sciences at an HHMI eligible institution , applying with their faculty PhD advisor Open To: US citizens, permanent residents, DACA recipients, and international students eligible to study and receive funding at their institution; dual-degree students (MD-PhD, DVM-PhD, etc.) eligible Support Includes: Annual stipend, discretionary allowance, and institutional allowance to support tuition and fees Duration: Up to three years of PhD support; eligible to apply for additional four years as a Gilliam Postdoc Fellow Competition: Annual; next competition opens September 1, 2026 2027 Competition Details for the Gilliam Fellows Program The Gilliam Fellows Program is an annual, open competition.

No nomination is required.

Up to three years of annual support during your PhD, including stipend, discretionary allowance, and institutional allowance to support tuition and fees Professional development programming tailored to both Fellows and PhD advisors A year-long HHMI mentorship development course for PhD advisors, focused on building inclusive lab culture Participation in the Gilliam Annual Meeting and HHMI Science Meetings, at which Fellows present their research and connect with a community of scientists that spans career stages Eligibility to apply for four additional years of postdoctoral support as a Gilliam Postdoc Fellow, with tailored programming to support your path toward an independent academic research career The program is open to eligible pairs of PhD students and their faculty PhD advisors.

As a student, you are eligible to apply if you are: Currently enrolled and in good academic standing in a biological or biomedical PhD program or dual-degree PhD program (MD-PhD, DVM-PhD, etc.) at any HHMI eligible institution In your second or third year of a PhD program as of October 27, 2026 and have at least two full years of PhD study remaining as of September 1, 2027 A US citizen, US permanent resident, an individual who has been granted temporary permission to stay in the US (e.g., DACA) or an international student eligible to study at and receive funding from their graduate institution consistent with law Conducting research in the basic biological and biomedical sciences in any of the many scientific disciplines that HHMI supports Pursuing a career in scientific research and committed to advancing excellence and inclusion in science Note: HHMI seeks a broad applicant pool.

We encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives, including from institutions not previously affiliated with HHMI. Applications are submitted through HHMI’s Application and Review Channel (ARC) external link, opens in a new tab site, which opens September 1, 2026. The application is a collaboration between the PhD student and their PhD advisor, and each will contribute materials.

Applicants must also name one additional reference. Note on journal names in your application: HHMI believes that scientific merit speaks for itself.

To ensure that applications are evaluated solely on the quality of the science, please do not reference journal names in any part of your application materials — whether citing published papers or referring to manuscripts that are in preparation, submission, revision, accepted, or in press at a peer-reviewed journal.

This includes references to journals in the context of your contributions to science, citations for your PhD research overview, and your advisor’s relevant research articles. When citing primary research articles, use this format: Full author list. Title of article.

(Year) PMID . For preprints and journal articles not indexed on PubMed, use a DOI.

Student applicants will be asked to provide: Information including educational history (academic transcripts are not required) A list of up to 5 of your contributions to science, which can include primary research articles, presentations, and participation in organized activities that advance excellence and inclusion in science An overview of your PhD research written so that a scientist outside of your field understands your project.

The maximum length of this document is three pages, including text and figures. This document must be written by you, not your PhD advisor. Cite relevant literature, which will be uploaded as a separate document.

Reminder: Journal names should not be included in your research overview or reference list; please use the citation format referenced above.

Responses to leadership prompts describing specific experiences that have shaped your commitment to advancing excellence and inclusion in science, what those experiences have taught you about yourself as an emerging leader, and how you are putting those lessons into action in your research environment A career statement describing your scientific and professional goals, your plan for pursuing them during your PhD including your advisor’s role in your development, and how the Gilliam Fellowship will support your growth as a researcher and future leader in science Written together with your PhD advisor, a joint statement on conflict resolution strategies that you will use during your time together as a student-advisor pair PhD advisors will be asked to provide: Information about your PhD advisor’s academic background and training, their contributions to science, their primary research articles relevant to your project, and a list of their prior trainees and career outcomes.

Reminder: Journal names should not be included in the advisor’s relevant article list; please use the citation format referenced above.

A list of your PhD advisor’s current research support, specifying the support that will fund your project for the duration of your time in the PhD program A letter of support from your PhD advisor (limit 2 pages) that details evidence of your promise as a scientist, your commitment to pursuing a research career, your potential for leadership in the scientific community, your areas for growth, and your passion for advancing excellence and inclusion in science A statement that describes specific ways they are helping foster a healthy academic research environment for all constituencies including students, postdocs, and early career faculty A mentoring plan that describes: Their current lab culture, including how it was developed and how it is sustained How the lab environment will support your academic success and foster your development as a scientist, including any areas to be further developed How they will support you in meeting your professional goals Their role in preparing your PhD research overview Their interest in participating in the required HHMI Gilliam mentorship development course and how they will evaluate and apply what they learn to strengthen their mentoring and lab culture References will be asked to provide: A letter of support for your application that describes your promise as a scientist, your commitment to pursuing a research career, your potential for leadership in the scientific community, and your passion for advancing excellence and inclusion in science Note on references: This is a person other than your PhD advisor who is familiar with you as a scientist (e.g., a former research mentor or a member of your PhD thesis committee).

You are responsible for reminding them to submit their letter by the deadline. For full application requirements and additional program details, see the Gilliam Fellows Program Applicant Guide and Frequently Asked Questions ( PDF ). Contact [email protected] with additional questions.

Tuesday, September 1, 2026 at 9:00 AM ET Tuesday, October 27, 2026 at 11:59 PM ET 2027 Frequently Asked Questions ( PDF ) HHMI Eligible Institutions Support to complete a PhD The Gilliam Fellows Program provides up to three years of support for PhD research, including a stipend and allowances for tuition, fees, and professional development.

Join a vibrant scientific community Gilliam Fellows join a growing network of more than 100 peers and hundreds of alumni , along with the broader HHMI scientific community. Regular gatherings — including the Gilliam Annual Meeting and HHMI Science Meetings — offer meaningful opportunities to connect, exchange ideas, and build relationships.

Build skills that support a career in science The program offers professional development opportunities as well as access to alumni who share their experiences and guidance. Gilliam advisors also participate in a yearlong mentorship skills course, helping to create strong, supportive research environments.

Advisors get support and training, too The Gilliam Fellows Program offers PhD advisors a year-long, customized mentorship development experience designed to strengthen their skills as mentors and help them build healthy, inclusive lab cultures that support their students' success. The program was created in 2004 and honors the late James H. Gilliam, Jr., a charter Trustee of HHMI.

Mr. Gilliam was a respected business and civic leader who spent his life nurturing excellence and inclusion in science and education. Get HHMI News in your inbox