You Do the Research, NIH Repays Your Student Loans – Apply by November 17

If you’re going to be conducting research for the next two years, why not have your student debt taken care of while you work? In exchange for a commitment to conduct biomedical or behavioral research, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) will repay up to $100,000 of student loan debt with a two-year contract through the NIH Loan Repayment Programs (LRPs). NIH wants to keep highly qualified biomedical and behavioral scientists like you in the lab, so we’re here to pick up the tab on your student debt. Check if you’re eligible for an LRP award today and apply by November 17, 2022.

“It does not feel hyperbolic to say the NIH LRP was life changing for me, and I hope it will be for some of you too!”, said Dr. Emily Willroth, Assistant Professor of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Washington University in St. Louis.

Not funded the first time? Try, try again! On average, nearly 50% of all new LRP applications are funded. The LRPs are unique programs, with tremendous benefit to early-stage researchers, so we strongly encourage researchers that were not successful in getting their applications funded to apply again.

Changing institutions? LRP Awards are portable! Awardees get to bring their LRP awards with them when they move to a different research institution. LRP awards can also be renewed for one-or two-year periods until all educational debt is paid in full.

Ready to apply for an LRP award? The application cycle is now open until November 17, 2022.

Here’s a few helpful resources to get you started:

• LRP Application Webinar including tips from past recipients and Q&A
• Obtain an NIH eRA Commons ID.  An eRA Commons ID is required to start an LRP application.
• Contact an LRP Ambassador
• Quick tutorials on preparing and submitting your application
• Contact an LRP Program Officer to discuss your research
• Discussion on #LRPchat features even more tips and FAQs