The Searle Scholars Program was established at The Chicago Community Trust in 1980. It is funded from the estates of Mr. and Mrs. John G. Searle. Mr. Searle was the grandson of the founder of the world-wide pharmaceutical company, G.D. Searle & Company. It was Mr. Searle's wish that certain funds be used to support ". . . research in medicine, chemistry and the biological science." To achieve this goal, grants are made to selected academic institutions to support the independent research of outstanding individuals who are in the first or second year of their first appointment at the assistant professor level, and whose current appointment is a tenure-track position.

The founding Director of the Searle Scholars Program was Cedric L. Chernick. Selection of scholars since the Program's inception in 1980 has been made by the Scientific Advisory Board, appointed by the Director.

The 393 current and former Searle Scholars pursue their research in many of the top institutions in the United States and in Australia, The Netherlands, and the United Kingdom.