The Gilliam Fellows Program provides awards to pairs of dissertation advisers and their graduate students based on what HHMI values and considers essential components of the environment, particularly the institution and adviser’s commitment to creating a healthy academic ecosystem and the student’s potential for scientific leadership. Adviser-student pairs must be studying scientific problems and nominated by the HHMI-designated nominator. Fellows are supported for up to three years of dissertation research, typically in years 3–5 of PhD study. The award amount is $53,000 per year. All Advisers participate in a year-long, culturally responsive mentorship development course, which is a hallmark of the Gilliam program.