HHMI Gilliam Fellows Program 2027 is a highly competitive fellowship for outstanding PhD students in the basic biological and biomedical sciences at eligible U.S. institutions. The programme supports doctoral students and their faculty thesis advisors while encouraging ambitious research and more inclusive scientific training environments.
For the 2027 competition, applications opened on September 1, 2026, and will close on October 27, 2026 at 11:59 PM Eastern Time. Fellowship terms begin on September 1, 2027.
About the HHMI Gilliam Fellows Program
The Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) Gilliam Fellows Program is an early-career initiative that supports PhD students together with their faculty PhD advisors.
Unlike many doctoral fellowships that focus only on the student, Gilliam is designed around a mentor-mentee partnership between the graduate student and faculty advisor. The programme supports ambitious scientific research while helping advisors create strong and inclusive research-training environments.
The fellowship also provides professional development, scientific networking and opportunities to become part of a broader community of researchers.
2027 Gilliam Fellowship Details
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Fellowship | HHMI Gilliam Fellows Program |
| Competition | 2027 |
| Study level | PhD |
| Research areas | Basic biological and biomedical sciences |
| Eligible students | Second- and third-year PhD students |
| Institution | HHMI-eligible institution |
| Application opens | September 1, 2026 |
| Application deadline | October 27, 2026 |
| Deadline time | 11:59 PM ET |
| Award notification | Summer 2027 |
| Fellowship begins | September 1, 2027 |
| Support duration | Up to 3 years |
The programme is an annual open competition, and HHMI states that no nomination is required.
Who Can Apply?
The 2027 competition is open to:
Second- and third-year PhD students working in the basic biological and biomedical sciences at an HHMI-eligible institution.
Students apply together with their faculty PhD advisor.
The programme also accepts applicants from a broad range of citizenship backgrounds.
Eligible applicants include:
- U.S. citizens
- Permanent residents
- DACA recipients
- International students who are eligible to study and receive funding at their institution
Dual-degree students, including MD-PhD and DVM-PhD students, are also eligible.
This makes the programme relevant to international PhD students studying at eligible U.S. institutions, provided they meet the institutional and funding conditions.
Research Areas
The Gilliam Fellows Program focuses on students conducting research in basic biological and biomedical sciences.
Applicants should therefore be pursuing doctoral research within the scientific areas supported by HHMI.
HHMI provides a separate Science We Support resource for candidates to determine whether their research falls within the programme’s supported scientific scope.
$50,000 PhD Stipend and Fellowship Support
The Gilliam Fellows Program provides substantial financial support during PhD training.
The programme snapshot confirms that support includes:
- Annual stipend
- Discretionary allowance
- Institutional allowance to support tuition and fees
Support can continue for up to three years of PhD training.
The opportunity is widely described as providing a $50,000 annual PhD stipend, but the supplied HHMI page itself summarizes the benefit as an annual stipend and allowances rather than stating the $50,000 figure in the visible programme snapshot. Applicants should therefore consult the official 2027 Applicant Guide for the precise current funding breakdown.
What the Fellowship Covers
PhD Stipend
Gilliam Fellows receive stipend support during their doctoral training.
Tuition and Fees
An institutional allowance is provided to support tuition and fees associated with the PhD programme.
Discretionary Allowance
Fellows also receive a discretionary allowance, providing additional programme support.
Professional Development
The programme offers professional-development opportunities designed to help students build skills for long-term scientific careers.
Scientific Community
Gilliam Fellows join a network of more than 100 current peers and hundreds of alumni, alongside the broader HHMI scientific community.
Professional Development Opportunities
The fellowship extends beyond financial support.
Gilliam Fellows participate in professional-development activities and have access to alumni who can share career guidance and experiences.
The programme also includes events such as:
- Gilliam Annual Meeting
- HHMI Science Meetings
These activities provide opportunities for fellows to exchange ideas, develop professional relationships and connect with researchers at different career stages.
Support for Faculty Advisors
One distinctive feature of the programme is its investment in the faculty PhD advisor.
Gilliam advisors participate in a year-long customized mentorship-development experience designed to improve mentoring skills and help establish healthy, inclusive laboratory cultures that support students’ success.
The programme therefore aims to strengthen not only the student’s scientific development but also the quality of the graduate training environment.
Future Postdoctoral Support
Gilliam Fellows who want to pursue an academic research career may later apply for an additional four years of support as Gilliam Postdoc Fellows.
Selection for the postdoctoral phase considers:
- Graduate research accomplishments
- Career aspirations
- Suitability of the proposed training environment
The postdoctoral phase also includes tailored professional development to help fellows progress toward independent academic research careers.
Application Process
The 2027 Gilliam competition is an open competition, meaning students do not need to be nominated to apply.
Applicants should apply together with their faculty PhD advisor and make sure both the student and advisor satisfy the programme’s requirements.
HHMI provides a 2027 Applicant Guide and Frequently Asked Questions resource to help candidates understand the application process and requirements.
Key Application Dates
The official 2027 schedule is:
Applications open: September 1, 2026 at 9:00 AM ET
Applications close: October 27, 2026 at 11:59 PM ET
Award notification: Summer 2027
Fellowship terms begin: September 1, 2027
Applicants should start preparing well before the deadline because the fellowship requires a coordinated application involving the PhD student and faculty advisor.
How to Apply
The official HHMI application system is available through the Gilliam Fellows programme page.
Apply for the 2027 Competition:
HHMI Gilliam Fellows 2027 Application
Official Gilliam Fellows Programme:
HHMI Gilliam Fellows Program
2027 Applicant Guide:
HHMI 2027 Gilliam Fellows Applicant Guide
Applicants should carefully review the official Applicant Guide before submitting the application.
Important Eligibility Check
One of the most important requirements is that applicants must be second- or third-year PhD students in the supported basic biological and biomedical sciences and must be studying at an HHMI-eligible institution.
Students should therefore verify both:
- Their current PhD year.
- Whether their university is listed as an HHMI eligible institution.
Students who are outside the eligible PhD stage or institution may not qualify even if their research is otherwise relevant.
Final Thoughts
The HHMI Gilliam Fellows Program 2027 is a major PhD fellowship opportunity for researchers in the basic biological and biomedical sciences who are enrolled at eligible U.S. institutions.
The fellowship provides up to three years of PhD support, including an annual stipend, discretionary allowance and institutional support for tuition and fees.
The programme is particularly distinctive because it supports both the PhD student and faculty advisor, combining scientific research support with professional development and mentorship training.
For the 2027 competition, applications opened on September 1, 2026 and close on October 27, 2026 at 11:59 PM ET.
Eligible students should begin preparing their applications early, verify their institution’s eligibility, and work closely with their faculty advisor to develop a strong submission.
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