The Howard Hughes Medical Institute and the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation have announced the launch of a $75 million competition that will support some of the nation's most innovative plant scientists.

Through the HHMI-GBMF Sciences Competition, as many as fifteen investigators working in a range of scientific disciplines relevant to plant sciences research will receive an initial five-year appointment to HHMI and the support needed to move their research in creative, new directions. Those selected may renew their contract for additional five-year terms, contingent on a successful scientific review.

The competition is open to researchers who have run their own lab for at least four years, and applications must be submitted by November 9. Panels of distinguished biomedical researchers will evaluate the applications and the final selections will be announced in May 2011.

"There is no question that plant scientists have a tremendous potential to help address — and possibly alleviate — some of society's most pressing concerns, such as food production, human health, protection of the environment, and renewable energy," said HHMI president Robert Tjian. "We are very fortunate to have found in the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, an institution that believes, as we do, that we must act now to do more to nurture and support the bold ideas of the best plant scientists."