In fiscal year (FY) 2024, we funded nearly three-quarters of NIH Loan Repayment Program (LRP) applications, an incredible success rate. With that momentum in mind, we are excited to announce that applications for the FY 2025 cycle are now being accepted until November 21, 2024. We encourage those interested to apply.
The Extramural LRP was developed to recruit and retain highly qualified biomedical and behavioral researchers within the research workforce. It does this by offering to repay up to $100,000 of qualified educational debt in exchange for a two-year commitment to research. To be eligible, you must be a qualified health professional engaged in NIH-mission relevant research for at least 20 hours per week at a nonprofit or government institution. Mission-relevant research areas include:
- Clinical Research
- Pediatric Research
- Health Disparities Research
- Research in Emerging Areas Critical to Human Health (REACH)
- Clinical Research for Individuals from Disadvantaged Backgrounds
- Contraception and Infertility Research
The extramural LRP has grown substantially over the last decade. In 2024, 1,545 scientists received an LRP award, up from 1,347 in 2015 (Table 1). Over that period, NIH increased its support for LRP awards from $69,034,959 to $95,212,034. And, as mentioned earlier, the success rate for the last cycle was 73%, up from 49% ten years ago. These data and more are available in the LRP section of the NIH Data Book.
Table 1. NIH LRP Applications, Awards, and Funding for FYs 2015-2024
| FY | Number of Applications | Number of Awards | Success Rate | Total Funding |
| 2015 | 2,732 | 1,347 | 49% | 69,034,959 |
| 2016 | 2,579 | 1,325 | 51% | 68,332,852 |
| 2017 | 2,597 | 1,282 | 49% | 68,185,910 |
| 2018 | 2,710 | 1,269 | 47% | 71,569,901 |
| 2019 | 2,518 | 1,322 | 53% | 72,308,731 |
| 2020 | 2,451 | 1,262 | 51% | 87,020,128 |
| 2021 | 2,253 | 1,301 | 58% | 91,518,202 |
| 2022 | 2,306 | 1,343 | 58% | 92,661,827 |
| 2023 | 1,906 | 1,323 | 69% | 92,542,308 |
| 2024 | 2,120 | 1,545 | 73% | 95,212,034 |
We are always pleased to hear how the LRP has helped awardees gain traction early in their careers. In the past, alumni have credited the program with helping them to better focus on starting a new lab, conducting research, or managing teaching obligations – rather than worrying about how to repay their student loans. You can hear stories from some of the program’s alumni in this video.
The LRP has worked diligently to help applicants get their questions answered and share advice from past recipients. For instance, prospective applicants should consider checking out the LRP Ambassador Program, which connects past and present awardees with potential applicants at their home institutions. We have also hosted chats via social media (@NIH_LRP) and have an upcoming live technical assistance webinar on October 7 at 3 pm ET; past webinars recordings are also available here. And as always, it’s a good idea to review our FAQs and contact a program officer if you still have questions.
Additional resources:
- LRP Application instruction booklet
- Tips for writing a competitive LRP application
- LRP Program Officer Spotlight Series for advice from program staff
- Sign up for the LRP listserv
- NIH All About Grants podcast episodes that provide advice on developing an application
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