William Galey

Only a small fraction of the physicians who graduate from U.S. medical schools each year pursue a career in academic research. The reasons vary, but graduates often cite two in particular: insufficient time for research and lack of financial support.

To minimize those hurdles for a small cadre of physicians, HHMI has named 20 new recipients of its Physician-Scientist Early Career Award. Now entering its second year, the awards program is part of the Institute's commitment to help promising physician-scientists launch their careers in academic research.

"It's not easy to go back and do science once you've started down the clinical path, so it's really important to get a good solid footing early in your career," says William Galey, program director for HHMI's graduate education and medical research training programs.

When the awards were created last year, 13 grantees received $150,000 over a three-year period. This year, the 20 awardees will receive $375,000 over five years.

Each year, HHMI invites alumni of the HHMI–National Institutes of Health Research Scholars Program and the HHMI Research Training Fellowships for Medical Students who are starting up their labs with full-time, tenure-track positions to apply. The funding must be used for direct research expenses, and the awardees' institutions must allow them to spend at least 70 percent of their time conducting research.

Photo: Tom Kochel