Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) Presidential Fellows Program 2026

The Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) Presidential Fellows Program is seeking exceptional early-career professionals for its 2026 cohort. This program offers a unique opportunity for a small group of individuals to work directly within the Office of the President, contributing to the institute’s most critical strategic initiatives. Fellows are expected to take ownership of projects, drive them forward, and interact with senior leadership for guidance and decision-making. The program is designed to be a high-trust, high-access, and high-output experience, similar to a Special Assistant to the President role in the federal government.

Program Overview and Responsibilities

The HHMI Presidential Fellows Program places two to three fellows each year into the Office of the President. These fellows report directly to the President and other senior leaders, including the Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. This is not a passive role; fellows are tasked with leading cross-functional strategic projects that can span various areas. These areas include science programs, artificial intelligence (AI), finance, communications, human resources, technology, science education, and film.

A key aspect of the fellowship is the expectation that fellows will take initiatives from their initial concept through to a decisive stage. This involves clearly defining problems, developing potential solutions, engaging the appropriate individuals within the institute, and driving the process toward clear decisions. Fellows will also be responsible for managing AI agents and large language model (LLM) based workflows to speed up high-priority projects across HHMI. Handling sensitive and confidential matters with discretion and sound judgment is also a core duty. A unique benefit of the program is that fellows dedicate 10% of their time to self-directed projects, provided they receive approval from the President and COO.

Benefits and Compensation

Fellows in the HHMI Presidential Fellows Program receive competitive remuneration. The salary range for this position is between $150,000 and $200,000. This compensation reflects the high level of responsibility and the strategic importance of the projects undertaken by the fellows. The program aims to attract top talent by offering a substantial financial package alongside a challenging and rewarding professional experience.

Eligibility Requirements

The HHMI Presidential Fellows Program welcomes applications from a wide range of qualified candidates. A Bachelor’s degree is the minimum educational requirement. The program is open to both outstanding recent graduates and individuals who hold advanced degrees, such as an MBA, MPP, PhD, JD, or an equivalent qualification. Candidates should have between zero and five years of professional experience. Preferred fields of experience include consulting, policy, research, strategy, law, or operations, or a comparable area.

Successful applicants will demonstrate a strong ability to quickly move between different subject areas, synthesize information effectively, and drive action even in unfamiliar environments. Fluency with AI tools and large language models is essential, including practical experience in orchestrating AI agents to advance complex work. Exceptional written and verbal communication skills are also critical, with a proven track record of producing clear and concise work for senior audiences. Candidates should be comfortable working with ambiguity, adapting to shifting priorities, and operating at the pace of executive-level decision-making. A broad intellectual curiosity that extends across the sciences, policy, technology, and institutional strategy is highly valued.

Application Process

Applications for the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) Presidential Fellows Program 2026 are currently open. Interested candidates can apply through the official HHMI careers portal. The deadline for applications is not specified. For detailed information and to submit an application, candidates are directed to the HHMI Presidential Fellows Program application page. Further information about the program can also be found on the HHMI website.

Frequently Asked Questions