The Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) Presidential Fellows Program 2026 is a highly competitive leadership opportunity that places a small cohort of exceptional early-career professionals (2–3 per year) directly in the Office of the President, working on the institute's highest-priority strategic initiatives.
About HHMI
HHMI is one of the largest private funders of biomedical research in the world, supporting scientists at leading universities, hospitals and research institutes, running a research campus that is home to the AI@HHMI initiative, and investing in science education, film and television, and AI-enabled research. This isn't a rotation or an observation post: fellows own projects, move them forward, and engage senior leadership for guidance and decisions, on a role modelled on the federal Special Assistant to the President (high trust, high access, high output).
What Fellows Do
🧭 Lead cross-functional strategic projects spanning science programs, AI, finance, communications, HR, technology, science education and film
🎯 Take initiatives from concept to the "20-yard line": scoping problems, building options, engaging the right people and driving decisions
🤖 Manage AI agents and LLM-based workflows to accelerate high-priority projects
🔒 Handle sensitive and confidential matters with discretion and sound judgment
💡 Dedicate 10% of their time to self-directed projects (subject to approval by the President and COO)
Who They're Looking For
🎓 Bachelor's degree required; outstanding recent graduates and advanced-degree holders (MBA, MPP, PhD, JD or equivalent) with 0 to 5 years of experience in consulting, policy, research, strategy, law, operations or comparable fields
🔄 A demonstrated ability to move between domains quickly, synthesising information and driving action in unfamiliar territory
🤖 Fluency with AI tools and large language models, including orchestrating AI agents
✍️ Exceptional written and verbal communication for senior audiences
⚡ Comfort with ambiguity, shifting priorities and the pace of executive-level decision-making
🔍 Intellectual curiosity spanning the sciences, policy, technology and institutional strategy
Why This Fellowship
HHMI sits at the intersection of science, philanthropy, education, media and technology. Fellows leave with a portfolio of consequential work, a network spanning academia, government and the private sector, and the judgment that comes from operating at the highest levels of a world-class institution.
Benefits
💶 Annual compensation of $150,000–$200,000
🩺 Comprehensive health benefits
💰 Retirement plans
🌴 Paid leave and wellness benefits
🤝 Direct access to senior leadership and a powerful professional network
The Details
📍 Location: Chevy Chase, Maryland, United States (primarily on-site)
⏳ Term: 2–3 years (fixed term), full-time
👥 For: exceptional early-career professionals (2–3 fellows annually); Bachelor's required, 0–5 years of experience
💶 Compensation: $150,000–$200,000 per year, plus benefits
🏛️ Reports to: the President and the VP/COO/Senior Advisor to the President
How to Apply
📝 Apply through the official HHMI careers portal (linked below). Apply as early as possible, as only a small number of fellows are selected each year
Deadline
📅 As soon as possible!
Links
🔗 Apply: https://hhmi.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/Pres_Fellows/job/Headquarters/Presidential-Fellow_R-4295
