In order to retain health professionals as researchers, the NIH is offering Research Loan Repayment Programs (LRP) in specific fields: clinical, pediatric, health disparities, contraception/infertility, and clinical research for individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds (click on the fields for their official NIH definitions). The basic premise is simple: you do the research, NIH repays your loans. In order to qualify, you must be researching in one of the highlighted areas and meet the basic eligibility requirements, summarized as:
- Status as a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or permanent resident of the U.S.
- Possession of a health professional doctoral degree* (M.D., Ph.D., Pharm.D., Psy.D., D.O., D.D.S., D.M.D., D.P.M., D.C., N.D., O.D., D.V.M., or equivalent; NOTE: the Contraception and Infertility Research LRP is also open to nurses, physician assistants, graduate students, and postgraduate research fellows training in the health professions)
- Educational debt equal to or in excess of 20 percent of your institutional base salary at the time of award
- Research supported by a domestic nonprofit foundation, university, professional association, or other nonprofit institution, or a U.S. government agency (federal, state, or local)
- Engagement in qualified research that represents 50 percent of your level of effort and consumes an average of at least 20 hours per week during each quarterly service period during the contract (2 years for the initial contract)
If this sounds like you, check out the details on the NIH Extramural LRP program information page for more details.
* Recipients of a Kirschstein (NRSA) fellowships and training grants can apply for and receive LRP awards but may have to defer their NRSA service payback until the completion of the LRP.
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