ABC Education & Global Research, 9300 South Longwood Drive, Chicago, IL 60620, US

Howard Hughes Medical Institute is a nonprofit medical research organization that employs hundreds of leading biomedical scientists working at the forefront of their fields. Through its grants program and other activities, HHMI is helping to enhance science education at all levels and maintain the vigor of biomedical science worldwide. The institute is one of the world's largest philanthropies, with laboratories throughout the United States and grant programs throughout the world. Its headquarters and conference center is located in Chevy Chase, Md. HHMI's endowment in 2004 was approximately $12.8 billion. The institute is an operating medical research organization conducting research with its own scientific teams. It employs about 300 HHMI investigators, all of whom work in institute laboratories while also serving as faculty members at host institutions. Approximately 2,500 research associates, technicians and other personnel support the scientists. The organization has a branch in Chicago.