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For US science, one of today’s most pressing challenges is to maximize scientific impact by building a workforce that fully reflects our diverse country. HHMI is committed to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in academic scienceexternal link, opens in a new tab at key points along career pathways, from undergraduate to tenured faculty. 

In 2022, HHMI launched the Freeman Hrabowski Scholars program to support outstanding basic researchers, including physician-scientists, who have strong potential to become leaders in their fields and to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion through their mentoring efforts and understanding of systemic exclusion and marginalization in science of trainees from different backgrounds. Scholars prioritize scientific excellence in their own research while creating an inclusive lab climate that serves as a model within their own institutions and beyond. 

Scholars are appointed to a five-year term, renewable for a second five-year term after a successful progress evaluation. Each Scholar receives up to $8.6 million over the ten-year period, including full salary, benefits, a research budget, and scientific equipment. They also participate in professional development to advance their leadership and mentoring skills.  

Up to 30 Freeman Hrabowski Scholars will be selected in 2025, with future competitions anticipated every two years. 

Announcements of previous cohorts: 
2023

 

All HHMI programs

2025 Competition Open Now

Informational webinar

Learn more about the 2025 competition from the Freeman Hrabowski Scholars Program team in this 1-hour recording.

Webinar recording

About Dr. Freeman A. Hrabowski III

The Freeman Hrabowski Scholars 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 sparked the development of new and growing programs at UMBC, HHMI, and other institutions around the US, including the renowned Meyerhoff Scholars Programexternal link, opens in a new tab for undergraduate students.