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The Gilliam Fellows Program aspires to build a more inclusive scientific ecosystem by supporting scientists at two levels — graduate students and their faculty thesis advisers.  

The program invests in graduate trainees who are committed to advancing equity and inclusion in science and empowers them as future science leaders. The Fellowship also provides support for thesis advisers to enhance their mentorship skills and act as change-makers to develop more inclusive and healthy scientific training environments. 

Each adviser-student pair receives an annual award of $53,000 for up to three years. Fellows join a vibrant community and are offered leadership training, professional development, and opportunities to engage with and learn from peers, program alumni, and HHMI scientists.  

Their advisers also join a cohort of peers, participate in HHMI’s intensive, one-year mentorship skills development course, and create a project that promotes healthy and inclusive graduate training environments. 

Announcements of recent cohorts
20232022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019

 

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Fellows

Gilliam Fellows become part of a diverse and supportive community of scholars. During their tenure, they build bonds with peers at Gilliam annual meetings, increase their scientific knowledge, and gain important insight and advice from leading scientists at HHMI Science Meetings.

To prepare for a career as leaders in science, fellows participate in professional development and connect with program alumni to provide them the tools to transform science through their talents and experiences. Goals of the program are that fellows will influence the science training environment, maximize their collaborations, and elevate their voices as scientific leaders.

Download alumni list

Advisers

Gilliam Advisers play a key role as change-makers who can foster the development of healthy and inclusive scientific training environments. To facilitate this role, all Advisers participate in an intensive, year-long mentorship skills development course. 

Advisers are empowered to disseminate lessons learned from the mentorship skills development course to their lab, department, and institution to make an exponentially greater impact on creating a healthy academic science ecosystem. Additionally, as part of the award, advisers receive funds to support activities aimed at building healthy and inclusive graduate training environments at their institutions. 

About James H. Gilliam, Jr.

The program honors the contributions and service of the late James H. Gilliam, Jr., a charter trustee of HHMI and a respected business and civic leader who spent his life nurturing excellence and diversity in science and education.