Gilliam Fellows Program
Fellowship details
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.
- 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
Application Opens: September 1, 2026
Application Deadline: October 27, 2026
Award Notification: Summer 2027
Fellowship Starts: September 1, 2027
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
- 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.
The Gilliam Fellows Program is an annual, open competition. No nomination is required.
Applications are submitted through HHMI’s Application and Review Channel (ARC), 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.