Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) is a nonprofit biomedical research organization founded in 1953 that funds scientific research and develops science education resources. Operating from its headquarters in Chevy Chase, Maryland, and its Janelia Research Campus in Virginia, HHMI invests in scientists across all career stages - from students to established investigators - providing multi-year, sometimes decade-long support that enables researchers to pursue fundamental questions in biology and medicine without the constraints of traditional grant cycles.
The organization's research funding model is designed to give investigators time, resources, and freedom to explore important scientific problems. This long-term approach supports thousands of researchers, educators, and professionals who work on advancing biomedical understanding and human health. HHMI's technical domains span biomedical research, biology, medicine, and philanthropic research funding, with particular emphasis on enabling work that might be difficult to support through conventional funding mechanisms.
HHMI BioInteractive produces free educational resources that bring real science into classrooms worldwide, extending the organization's impact beyond direct research support. These resources, used globally, help educators translate current scientific discoveries and methodologies into classroom learning. Under the leadership of CEO Erin K. O'Shea, HHMI operates as both a research organization and a philanthropy, fostering a community focused on scientific discovery and education with the practical goal of enriching lives through biological understanding.