Applications to NIH Loan Repayment Programs Accepted Sept. 1 through Nov. 17

Dedication to the path of research can be rewarding and fulfilling as a career choice. The National Institutes of Health want to encourage outstanding health professionals to pursue careers in biomedical, behavioral, social, and clinical research, and to develop their skills into a lifelong passion for discovery and knowledge. However, far too often, the pursuit of research can be a challenge, especially when faced with high levels of student loan debt. This is how the NIH Extramural Loan Repayment Programs (LRPs) can help!

On July 21, NIH announced the next application cycle for the NIH Extramural Loan Repayment Programs. Researchers who have incurred significant educational debt may be eligible to apply. In exchange for a commitment to conduct biomedical or behavioral research funded by a nonprofit or government institution, the NIH will repay up to $70,000 of student loan debt per two-year contract. Approximately 1,500 scientists benefit from the $70 million plus NIH invests each year through the extramural LRPs. On average, nearly 40% of all new LRP applications are funded, and these awards are competitively renewable until all educational debt is repaid.

To qualify, an applicant must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, possess a doctoral-level degree (with the exception of the contraception and infertility research LRP), and have educational loan debt equal to or exceeding 20 percent of his/her annual institutional base salary.

In addition, applicants must devote at least 20 hours per week to research that fits within one of five program areas: clinical research, pediatric research, health disparities research, contraception and infertility research, or clinical research for individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds.

The 2015 application cycle opens September 1, 2014 and closes on November 17, 2014.

Please visit www.lrp.nih.gov to start an application, contact us, and find helpful resources such as a brief overview of the loan repayment programs, our step-by-step Application Guide, and the LRP Payment Estimator.