National Institutes of Health Extramural Loan Repayment Program

Program objective

To attract and retain health professionals to research careers by offering educational loan repayment for participants who agree by written contract to engage in qualified research in a qualifying nonprofit institution for a minimum of two years. There are six subcategories of research: contraception or infertility research, pediatric research, minority health disparities research, clinical research, clinical research for individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds, and research in emerging areas critical to human health.

As published in the SAM.gov Assistance Listing.

No open or forecasted opportunities are currently posted under this listing. Programs often post notices on an annual cycle — see recently closed opportunities below for timing.

Eligible applicants (program level)

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(1) A U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or permanent resident of the United States; (2) Have a Ph.D., M.D., D.O., D.D.S., D.M.D., D.P.M., Pharm.D., D.C., N.D., O.D. or equivalent doctoral degree from an accredited institution; (3) Have total qualifying educational loan debt equal to or in excess of 20 percent of their institutional base salary on the date of program eligibility (the effective date that a loan repayment contract has been executed by the NIH Director or designee); (4) Conduct qualifying research supported by a domestic nonprofit foundation, nonprofit professional association, or other nonprofit institution, or a U.S. or other government agency (State or local); (5) Engage in qualified research for at least 50 percent of their time, i.e., not less than 20 hours per week based on a 40 hour week. (6) Agree to conduct research for which funding is not prohibited by Federal law, regulation, or HHS/NIH policy, and in accordance with applicable Federal, State and local law (e.g., applicable human subject protection regulations); and (8) Sign and submit to the NIH Director, at the time of application submission, a contract agreeing to engage in qualified research in a qualifying institution for a minimum of 2 years. Full-time employees of Federal Government agencies are ineligible to apply for Extramural LRP benefits. Part-time Federal employees who engage in qualifying research as part of their nonfederal duties for at least 20 hours per week based on a 40 hour week, and who are not compensated as a Federal employee for their research, are eligible to apply for loan repayment if they meet all other eligibility requirements.

Intended beneficiaries: Health Professional, Scientist/Researchers and Specialized group (e.g. health professionals, students, veterans).

Program-level eligibility from SAM.gov. Each funding notice sets its own requirements.

Frequently asked questions