Howard Hughes Medical Institute support for postdoctoral scientists launching independent academic research careers. Fellows receive up to two years of salary or stipend support, renewable on a favourable evaluation of scientific productivity and career development, plus funds for certain fellowship-associated expenses and tailored professional development including personalised help with the faculty job search. Fellows who secure a qualifying tenure-track or equivalent faculty post move into a further faculty phase of the award. There is flexibility to continue postdoctoral training at the current institution or, with HHMI approval, to move to another institution in the United States or overseas. Applications for the next competition open November 3, 2026 and close December 15, 2026; from that competition onward HHMI selects Hanna Gray Fellows and Freeman Hrabowski Scholars through a single combined competition.