The Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) has launched a competition to recruit up to 20 new investigators as part of a US$168-million investment over the next seven years. The competition is open to basic researchers and physicians at more than 200 eligible US institutions who bring innovative approaches to biomedical disciplines, plant biology, evolutionary biology, biophysics, chemical biology, biomedical engineering and computational biology. The philanthropic institute, based in Chevy Chase, Maryland, recently increased the standard term for its investigators from five to seven years. “Giving a scientist seven years of stable support allows them to take more risk and achieve more transformative advances,” said HHMI president Erin O'Shea. The deadline for applications is 27 June 2017. Successful candidates will have their full salary and benefits paid by the HHMI, and will be given a research budget to cover their initial seven-year appointment. The institute will also cover other expenses, including the purchase of essential equipment. Finalists will be announced in spring 2018. More details are available at go.nature.com/2nagzff.