Reference Letters and Institutional Certification

Mentors/Research Supervisors

All Intramural LRP applicants are mentored research scientists, and they must designate a primary mentor in their application who will oversee the applicant’s research and provide guidance and advice. The primary mentor and research supervisor are typically the same individual; however, they may be two different individuals in certain situations. The designated mentor will receive an email with instructions for submitting a reference letter in their role as the LRP mentor, as well as for certifying the applicant’s protected research time and research-related documents. While some applicants may have mentoring teams, only one individual should be identified as the primary mentor.

All applicants must also identify a research supervisor in their application that has the same NIH institutional affiliation as the applicant. The research supervisor is responsible for performing the administrative function of confirming, on a quarterly basis, that the applicant is meeting the terms and conditions of their LRP contract.

Referees/Recommenders

New LRP award applications require three to five reference letters submitted by the application deadline, while renewal applications require only one letter from the applicant’s research supervisor or mentor. Submission instructions are included in the “Welcome Email” sent to applicants when they begin an application in ASSIST. Applicants should forward these instructions to their referees. Each referee is expected to address the applicant’s research capabilities and commitment to a research career.

A referee/recommender submits a reference letter via the online LRP Reference Letter Submission portal by the published deadline. The reference letter (2 pages limit) is expected to include the following information about the applicant:

• Previous training and experience to prepare for a research career
• Commitment to a career in research
• Potential for a successful career in research
• Research related strengths and weaknesses
• Overall recommendation

For renewal applicants, information about the applicant’s recent accomplishments and development as a researcher or clinician should be included in addition to the above.

IC Coordinator

All LRP applications must be certified by the applicant’s IC Coordinator by the submission deadline. The IC Coordinator is responsible for confirming the applicant’s full-time employment in the NIH Intramural Research Program for the duration of the LRP contract period.

For new applicants, the IC Coordinator will certify salary, full-time employment start date, employment end date (if temporary), program eligibility, and U.S. citizenship. For renewal applicants, the IC coordinator will certify that the applicant’s NIH appointment will cover the one-year LRP renewal contract period.

The IC Coordinator will receive an email with instructions for certifying the application. To certify an application, IC Coordinators must log into their eRA Commons account using their Commons ID. IC Coordinators should contact the Division of Loan Repayment at [email protected] if they need assistance with the certification process.