Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) Early Career Scientist Program

The new initiative - the first of its type in HHMI's history - comes at a critical moment for the nation and for the long-term health of its biomedical research infrastructure. They are seeking scientists of exceptional promise who have led research laboratories for two to six years and ask that you encourage relevant faculty to apply.

Candidates must indicate their intention to apply by: April 30 at 2 p.m. ET. Applications from these candidates will be accepted between May 1 and June 10th at 2 p.m.

Complete information about the application process and eligibility requirements for this competition may be found at: www.hhmi.org/earlycareer2009.

Candidates must apply directly to HHMI. Although there are no limites on the number of applicants from any eligible institution, HHMI will normally make no more than two appointments at any single institution.

See attached

• Applicants must have between two and six years of experience since their first appointment as an assistant professor (or equivalent). In order to meet this requirement, the applicant's first faculty position as assistant professor (or equivalent) must have begun no earlier than Jun 1, 2002, and no later than September 1, 2006. For institutions that do not have a tenure track, eligible candidates must hold an appointment that reflects a significant and tangible instituional commitment.
• HHMI wishes its support to have the greatest possible impact. Successful candidates may hold only one other early career award from a federal agency - for example, the NIH Director's New Innovator Award or the NSF Career Award - or comparable award from a Researchers without such grants are also eligible for this competition.
• Successful candidates will be appointed to HHMI for a six-year nonrenewable term. Those selected will become full-time HHMI employees, and their full salary and benefits will be paid by HHMI. In addition, HHMI will provide a research budget for salary support of personnel and supplies. In the first, second, and third years of an early career scientist's six-year term, the laboratory budget will be $150,000, $200,000 and %250,000 per year, respectively. In the final three years, the laboratory budget will be $300,000 per year. HHMI will provide periodic opportunities to purchase critical research equipment that may be need for new projects.
• Universities and research institutions at which early career scientists are located will become HHMI host institutions (if they are not already), and HHMI will make payments to the host institution for occupancy of an early career scientist's research and office space. HHMI does not expect to renovate laboratory space for those appointed as early career scientists.

HHMI expects that successful candidates will be among the most outstanding in the nation, and we encourage applications from scientists in all areas of basic biological and biomedical research, and in areas of chemistry, physics, computer science and engineering that are directly related to biology or medicine.

Candidates will be evaluated on their potential for significant research productivity and orginality, as judged by their doctoral and postdoctoral work, their research plans, and results from thier independent research program. Semifinalists will be selected by late 2008; their institutions will be notified and asked to confirm that the candidate meets our eligibility requirements. Following further review, finalist will be offered appointments as HHMI early career scientists beginning in May 2009.