Applications and Acceptance
Most students participate as Research Scholars after their second or third year of medical, dental, or veterinary school.

It is recommended that you complete your basic science coursework prior to participating in the program so that you have a fundamental understanding of the principles related to biomedical research.

Each year, more than 160 students apply and about 42 are selected for the program. Since the program's inception, applications have been received from students at all U.S. medical schools, and students have been accepted from 102 of those schools.

Application Process FAQ

Eligibility Requirements
To apply, you must be a student in good standing at a medical, dental, or veterinary school in the United States or Puerto Rico and must receive permission from the school to participate in the program. The school does not have to be a major academic medical center or research-oriented school. Prior research experience may be advantageous but is not required. You must also be authorized to work in the United States during the entire period of time you would be employed as a Research Scholar. You are not eligible to apply if you are enrolled in a combined medical, dental, or veterinary/Ph.D. program (e.g., M.D./Ph.D.) or Ph.D., or Sc.D. program, or if you already have an M.D., D.D.S., D.V.M., or a Ph.D. or an Sc.D. in a laboratory-based science.

The application deadline is January 10. If you are selected as a Research Scholar, you must be able to work at the NIH for approximately one year, beginning between July 7 and August 31.

You may apply to both this program and the HHMI Research Training Fellowships for Medical Students in a given year. You may also apply to other NIH programs.

Eligibility FAQ

How to Apply
You must apply online using our Web-based application system. Please review the application requirements before beginning the online application. Detailed program brochures may usually be obtained from the student affairs office at your medical or dental school, or you may request that a brochure be mailed to you.

You can also contact us on our toll-free number, via e-mail, or U.S. mail:
1-800-424-9924
research_scholars@hhmi.org

HHMI-NIH Research Scholars Program
1 Cloister Court, Building 60, Room 253
Bethesda, MD 20814-1460

Application Deadline and Notification
January 10 - Application Deadline
Your application must be complete by January 10 in order to be reviewed. Once your application has been submitted, you will receive a confirmation e-mail. However, you should periodically check the home page of your application on the HHMI Competition System Web site to ensure that all items have been received by HHMI.

Mid-February - Applicant Notification
You will be informed in writing of the results of the initial review of your application. Selected students will be invited to Bethesda for interviews in early March.

Late March - Acceptance Notification
You will be notified in writing of the results of the interview and final application review.

The Selection Process
Selection of Research Scholars is a two-step process. First, applications are reviewed by a selection committee of NIH senior scientists and HHMI senior scientific officers. Second, selected students are invited to Bethesda for interviews in early March. If you are invited to interviews, your expenses for round-trip travel between medical, dental, or veterinary school and the NIH are paid by HHMI. Finally, the selection committee evaluates candidates' written applications and interviews and identifies the most promising students to be offered positions in the Research Scholars Program. Approximately 42 new students are selected each year. You will receive written notification of the application review and selection process results.

Application Process FAQ