May 13, 2004
Howard Hughes Medical Institute Seeks up to 50 New Scientists
The Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) is seeking as many as 50
new scientists in the field of biomedical research through a national
competition announced today.
The Institute is looking for candidates from the full range of
biological and biomedical inquiry who demonstrate exceptional promise
early in their careers as independent researchers. Nearly 200
universities, medical schools, and research institutes have been
invited to nominate their best scientists for the competition. Between
30 and 50 scientists will be chosen to join the Institute in 2005.
“HHMI places a high value on innovation and our distinctive
approach to supporting biomedical research frees our scientists to use
their creativity to extend the boundaries of scientific knowledge,
” said Thomas R. Cech, president of the 50-year-old
philanthropy.
Cech said the competition represents a commitment by the Institute
to invest as much as $350 million in additional support for biomedical
research over the next seven years. HHMI's annual research budget now
stands at nearly $500 million a year.
Currently, the Institute employs 318 of the nation's most innovative
scientists who head Hughes laboratories at 66 universities, medical
schools, and research institutes through long-term research
collaboration agreements. These scientists and their research groups
study a broad range of fundamental biological questions, including the
causes of many human diseases such as Alzheimer's, diabetes, and AIDS.
The standards are high. More than 100 of HHMI's investigators are
members of the National Academy of Sciences; 10 current or former
investigators have received the Nobel Prize.
“Recruitment of new investigators through a competition like
this gives HHMI the ability to respond to emerging areas of scientific
interest,” said David A. Clayton, vice president and chief
scientific officer.
This general competition for new investigators, the first since
2000, represents a continued expansion of the Institute's biomedical
research mission. In addition to its investigator program, HHMI will
begin recruiting this fall for scientists for the Janelia Farm Research
Campus, the Institute's innovative technology campus located in
Ashburn, Virginia. Janelia Farm, which represents an investment of $500
million, is scheduled to open in 2006 and will be a unique,
multi-disciplinary research environment for small teams of
scientists.
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Jennifer Michalowski
