In 2022, HHMI launched the Freeman Hrabowski Scholars Program to support outstanding basic researchers, including physician-scientists, with strong potential to become leaders in their fields. Together with the Hanna H. Gray Fellows Program, it has played an essential role in advancing postdoctoral research and early career faculty researchers. In the next phase, these efforts will be united to build on their shared strengths — enhancing support for postdocs pursuing their first faculty positions, and providing sustained resources to new faculty as they establish independent careers.

Dedicated to both excellence in scientific research and inclusive mentoring, Freeman Hrabowski Scholars are employed by HHMI and maintain academic appointments and labs at their research institutions. Scholars are appointed to five-year terms as HHMI lab heads, renewable for a second five-year term following a successful midpoint progress evaluation. During their appointment, Scholars receive full salary and benefits from the Institute, financial support for their research, and access to capital equipment funds. They additionally become part of the vibrant Freeman Hrabowski Scholars and wider HHMI scientific communities. Program eligibility has been expanded for 2026 to include candidates within two years of pursuing an independent, tenure-track faculty position, to seven years after.

Beginning in 2026, postdoctoral researchers interested in pursuing faculty positions will apply as part of the Freeman Hrabowski Scholars Program, and, if selected, will become Hanna Gray Fellows while postdocs. 

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key program dates

Next competition opens  
Fall 2026
APPLICANT RESOURCES

Life as a Freeman Hrabowski Scholar
 

 

 

Long-term research support 

Each Scholar is appointed to a five-year term, renewable for a second five-year term after a successful progress evaluation. While remaining affiliated with their home institution, Scholars become HHMI employees and receive their full salary, benefits, and annual research budget from the Institute, along with access to a capital equipment program.  

 

Join a vibrant scientific community 

Scholars join an active HHMI scientific community that spans career stages. Through collaborations and HHMI Science Meetings, they engage with peers to exchange ideas and share emerging research.

 

Grow as a leader and mentor

The program offers professional development opportunities that help Scholars strengthen their leadership and mentoring skills — equipping them to create supportive, high-performing research environments. 
By studying zebra finches as they sing, Freeman Hrabowski Scholar Vikram Gadagkar is uncovering how the brain learns, evaluates mistakes, and performs under pressure.HHMI scientists Michael Yartsev and Gerald Carter are uncovering how bats learn, remember, and form social bonds — findings that could reshape how we understand our own brains and behaviors.Mariana Byndloss, DVM, Ph.D., at Vanderbilt University was awarded the ASM Award for Early Career Basic Research. (via asm.org)Bianca Jones Marlin, PhD, at Columbia University on what her research might reveal about the biology of generational trauma. (via statnews.com)
About Dr. Freeman A. Hrabowski III

The program honors the contributions of Dr. Freeman A. Hrabowski III, President Emeritus of the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC), and a major force in increasing the number of scientists, engineers, and physicians from backgrounds underrepresented in science in the United States. Dr. Hrabowski’s leadership, including the critical role he played in creating and supporting UMBC’s renowned Meyerhoff Scholars Programexternal link, opens in a new tab for undergraduate students, sparked the development of new and growing programs at other institutions around the US.