Important Information

Key Dates

Application Components

Individuals should determine whether to apply as an independent researcher or a mentored research scientist (e.g., mentored scientists are generally funded by another investigator's grant), which may be different from prior applications or awards. Since the Institutes and Centers (ICs) apply varying criteria to these categories, applicants are strongly encouraged to contact the most appropriate LRP Program Officer for guidance before beginning the application. The list of LRP Program Officers can be found on the NIH Institute/Center Contacts page.

There are many attachments requested during the online application process. The PDFs below list the required attachments, organized by type of document, and who needs to submit it based on the researcher type of the applicant (i.e., mentored research scientist or independent researcher).

In addition, applicants must have:

• An Institutional Business Official (IBO) to verify eligibility and employment; and
• A minimum of three reference letters, but no more than five will be accepted. For mentored research scientists, one of the reference letters must be from the mentor.

For guidance on selecting an IBO and referees/recommenders, please see the Reference Letters & Institutional Certification page.

Mentored Research Scientist table (PDF)
Independent Researcher table (PDF)

Review Process

Award Calculations

All Extramural LRP new awards are two years. Repayments for a new award are calculated by using the eligible educational debt at the contract start date. The amount awarded is equal to one-quarter of the total eligible debt, up to $50,000, for each year of the award. To receive the maximum amount of $100,000 for a two-year award, you must have at least $200,000 in eligible educational debt at the contract start date.

Payments are made on a quarterly basis, starting with the loan with the highest priority per NIH guidelines. If a loan is paid-in-full before the end of a contract, subsequent quarterly payments will be directed to the loan with the next highest priority.

See a full list of the loan priority order.

Loan Requirements

Qualifying Lenders

Loan Eligibility

Most U.S.-based educational loans made by a qualified lender for educational purposes are eligible for repayment, including U.S.-based educational loans made for the following purposes:

• Undergraduate, graduate, and health professional school tuition and expenses;
• Other reasonable educational expenses required by the school(s) attended, including fees, books, supplies, educational equipment and materials, and laboratory expenses;
• Reasonable living expenses, including the cost of room and board, transportation and commuting costs, and other living expenses as determined by the Secretary of the Department of Health & Human Services.

A consolidated loan is eligible as long as all loans in the consolidation are eligible for repayment.

Existing principal and capitalized interest on eligible loans and related expenses, such as the required insurance premiums on the unpaid balances of some loans, from qualifying lenders are also eligible for repayment.

Ineligible Loans

The following loans are not eligible for repayment through the LRPs:

• Consolidated loans that include at least one of the following loans are not eligible for repayment;
  • Loans obtained from an unqualified lender;
  • Loans obtained by the applicant for an individual other than the applicant, such as a spouse or child;
  • Loans obtained by an individual other than the applicant, such as a spouse or parent;
  • Non-educational loans, such as a home-equity loan;
• Loans for which eligibility documentation is not provided;
• Loans or portions of loans obtained for educational or living expenses which exceed a reasonable level as determined by the standard school budget for the year in which the loan was made;
• Loans, financial debts, or service obligations incurred under a program where an incurred service obligation converts to a loan upon failure to satisfy the service obligation;
• Loans that are delinquent, in default, or not current in their repayment schedule;
• Parent PLUS loans;
• Loans that are paid-in-full;
• Loans that are obtained after the start date of the initial NIH Loan Repayment Program Contract.

Additionally, late fees, penalty fees, additional interest charges, or collections costs will not be repaid by the LRP.

Contractual Obligations

Contract Length

A new LRP award is a two-year contract that starts on July 1 in the year after the application deadline. Awardees are expected to meet the terms and conditions of the LRP award for the entire contract period. Applicants must conduct two years of qualified research for the duration of an LRP award, and an authorized official (Institutional Business Official) at the applicant's institution must certify that there will be paid, protected research time for the applicant to devote to these activities during the two year award. Qualified research is not retroactive. Any research performed prior to the start date of an LRP award will not count toward the service obligation required by the award.

Change of Institution

It is the responsibility of award recipients to notify LRP immediately if there is a pending change in employment. LRP awardees must submit a Change of Institution (COI) application to be considered for continuation in the Program. A COI applicant must meet all LRP eligibility criteria, and COI requests are subject to final approval by the NIH Institute or Center that funded the LRP award. Approval of COIs is not guaranteed.

Family Leave

Family leave can include maternity, paternity, parental, and adoption leaves. Paid family leave may be used during an LRP award. Any unpaid leave, even if covered under the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), may result in a reduced quarterly payment. Awardees must make payments to lenders on their own behalf for periods of Leave Without Pay (LWOP).

Breach of Contract

Failure to complete the terms of an LRP contract, including the research service requirement, is considered a breach of contract. The penalty for breaching the LRP contract is $7,500 for each month the contract terms are not met, with the minimum penalty set at $31,000. Please read the LRP contract in its entirety before applying to the LRP.