Applications are now open for the Freeman Hrabowski Scholars Program,  a new program supporting outstanding early career faculty who are committed to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in science. Up to thirty Freeman Hrabowski Scholars will be selected in 2023, with future competitions anticipated every other year.

Managed by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute,  HHMI announced that it is seeking creative and innovative early career faculty for the Freeman Hrabowski Scholars Program.

HHMI is looking for outstanding basic researchers, including physician-scientists, who have strong potential to become leaders in their fields and advance diversity, equity, and inclusion through their mentorship of trainees from races and ethnicities underrepresented in science. Applications are due Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2022. Click here for more information.

Scholars will prioritize scientific excellence in their own research while creating an equitable and inclusive lab climate that values diversity and serves as a model within their own institutions and beyond. Eligible research areas include all basic biomedical science disciplines, as well as plant biology, evolutionary biology, biophysics, chemical biology, biomedical engineering, and computational biology.

“In keeping with HHMI’s ‘people, not projects’ ethos, we want Scholars to follow their own scientific curiosity, ask innovative research questions, and go where the science takes them,” said Leslie B. Vosshall, HHMI vice president and chief scientific officer, in a statement.

The Freeman Hrabowski Scholars Program honors the contributions of Dr. Freeman A. Hrabowski III, retired president 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.

Freeman Hrabowski Scholars is offering $8.6m potential support per scholar, up to 30 scholars every other year, and 10 years of potential appointment per scholar

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 Program for undergraduate students.

is committed to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in academic science at key points along career pathways, from undergraduate to tenured faculty.

The Future of STEM Scholars Initiative (FOSSI) has announced 144 new scholarship recipients in 2022, representing 25 states across the nation. These talented students are planning to major in nearly STEM majors at 34 Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).

Launched in 2020 by the American Chemistry Council (ACC), the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE), The Chemours Company, and the HBCU Week Foundation, FOSSI is a national chemical industry-wide program that provides $40,000 scholarships to students pursuing select degrees in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) at HBCUs.

FOSSI also provides ongoing support and resources for scholarship recipients, connecting students to leadership development, corporate matching, and internship opportunities.

“From academic performance to community engagement, these 144 FOSSI scholarship recipients have clearly demonstrated their commitment to excellence,” noted FOSSI Chairman, Mark Vergnano. “We are thrilled to support their HBCU education and future career aspirations, helping to eliminate financial barriers and providing mentoring and career development at our 60 sponsoring organizations,” he continued.

In accepting a FOSSI scholarship, N’jya Hopkins, a future Chemistry major at Virginia State University, stated, “This scholarship has brought so much joy to my family, and I am happy that I can continue my education as a first-generation college student without any financial worries.”

Jayden Christmas, a future Mechanical Engineering major at North Carolina A&T State University, noted, “The FOSSI Scholarship is so much more than a generous financial gift. Having this organization invest in my future makes me want to work harder to achieve my goals. I look forward to the mentoring and other leadership-building opportunities, meeting my peers, and expanding my network.”

To date, FOSSI has raised more than $17 million to support over 350 students. The initiative has an ambitious goal of supporting 1000 scholars through 2025. Applications for 2022 FOSSI scholarships will open on September 23. To learn more about FOSSI, visit FutureofSTEMscholars.org.