Written By Melanie Lockert
Updated on January 11, 2024
Healthcare professionals have many different loan repayment programs to consider. Healthcare professionals looking to break into research may have some additional support with NIH Loan Forgiveness Programs to pay down qualified student loan debt. In this guide, we’ll cover what these NIH loan repayment programs are, who should apply, and the eligibility requirements.
What are the NIH Loan Repayment and Forgiveness Programs (NIH LRPs)?
The National Institute of Health (NIH) offers various loan repayment programs in an effort to recruit and support health professionals who are working in biomedical research or behavioral research.
In total there are eight programs — five of which are for external employees not working for the National Institute of Health (referred to as extramural on their site) and three of which are for employees of NIH (referred to as intramural on their site). LRP awardees can receive financial assistance as part of their health services research.
Extramural NIH loan repayment programs
The extramural NIH loan repayment programs are available to health professionals outside of the National Institute of Health, in a variety of disciplines. Currently, the NIH has five different fields in which you can apply for funding.
1. Clinical research
If you’re a clinical researcher working with people in an inpatient or outpatient setting, you could qualify for the Extramural Loan Repayment Program for Clinical Research (LRP-CR).
Who can apply?
This NIH loan repayment program is designed for clinical researchers who work with human populations in an effort to advance research around diseases. The candidate should be working toward researching the causes and effects of diseases in humans and work with materials like tissue specimens and cognitive phenomena. Applicants should be in a patient-facing role, directly interacting with people as part of clinical trials.
How much funding is available?
Awards can be up to $50,000 each year, depending on the candidate’s research and career potential. The NIH states that they are committed to funding up to $50 million in this area of research.
What are the eligibility requirements?
In order to qualify for the clinical research loan repayment program, applicants:
- Must have 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 comparable doctoral degree)
- Must be a U.S. citizen, national or have permanent residency
- Have student loan debt that is 20 percent or more of institutional base salary
- Must work at a qualified organization doing NIH-related research, such as working at a nonprofit or governmental organization
- Serve for at least two years, with at least 20 hours per week
Some things to note are that part-time employees can apply even if they aren’t conducting research but they work at a nonprofit and meet all other requirements. Additionally, all research that is done must not be prohibited by federal law, the NIH or Department of Health. Candidates who are participating in other health-related loan repayment programs will be disqualified.
2. Pediatric research
Researchers whose main focus is working with children and studying disorders and diseases and other afflictions facing children could qualify for the Extramural Loan Repayment Program for Pediatric Research (LRP-PR).
Who can apply?
This program is designed to recruit biomedical or biobehavioral researchers that study pediatrics. Candidates will focus on disorders and diseases that affect children, however, it should be noted the research does not necessarily have to be performed with human subjects.
How much funding is available?
Awards can up be to $50,000 each year, depending on the candidate’s potential to foster a career in research. The NIH funds $18 million for this program each year.
What are the eligibility requirements?
In order to qualify for the pediatric research loan forgiveness program applicants:
- Must have 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 similar doctoral degree)
- Must be a U.S. citizen, national or have permanent residency
- Total student loan debt needs to be 20 percent or more of base salary at your institution
- Must work at a qualifying organization, such as a nonprofit or federal agency
- Commit to two years of service and work at least 20 hours per week
Applicants must perform research that is in line with NIH mission and that is not prohibited by federal law, research policies or regulations. Unfortunately, you are not eligible for this program if you are already taking advantage of another health-related loan repayment program.
3. Health disparities research
Researchers who are focused on specific minority communities, looking at health disparities may be eligible for the Extramural Loan Repayment Program for Health Disparities Research (LRP-HDR).
Who can apply?
This NIH loan repayment program is designed for researchers focusing on specific health disparities within minority communities. The NIH along with the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD) are looking for culturally competent applicants who can serve a diverse community, given the nature of this program.
Health Disparity Populations are determined by the Director of NIMHD, after consultation with the Director of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, and are defined as populations where there is significant disparity in the overall rate of disease incidence, prevalence, morbidity, mortality, or survival rates in the population as compared to the health status of the general population. The following populations have been designated as health disparity populations: Blacks/African Americans, Hispanics/Latinos, American Indians/Alaska Natives, Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders, socioeconomically disadvantaged populations, underserved rural populations, and sexual and gender minorities.”
The research refers to anything that focuses on clinical, social, behavioral and basic health disparities among these communities. Applicants who fall under this umbrella could a good candidate for this program.
How much funding is available?
Awards can be up to $35,000 each year, depending on the potential the candidate has to sustain a successful career in research. The NIH contributes $4 million to awards for this program each year.
What are the eligibility requirements?
In order to qualify for the health disparities loan forgiveness program applicants:
- Must have an 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 doctoral degree equivalent.
- Must be a U.S. citizen, national or permanent resident
- Overall student loan debt must be at least 20 percent or more of your institutional base salary
- Works at an eligible nonprofit or government organization
- Serve for at least two years and work at least 20 hours per week
It should be noted that all applications will be reviewed by the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD). Applicants’ research must be in accordance to NIH and other federal policies. If you are currently partaking in another health-related loan repayment program, you are ineligible for this program.
4. Contraception and infertility research
Health professionals who are focused on researching infertility and contraception could be eligible for Extramural Loan Repayment Program for Contraception and Infertility Research (LRP-CIR).
Who can apply?
This program is designed for researchers who specifically investigate contraception and infertility. Their NIH states that, “NIH defines Infertility Research as research that has long-range objective to evaluate, treat, or ameliorate conditions which result in the failure of couples to either conceive or bear young. Contraception Research is defined as research that has the ultimate goal to provide new or improved methods of preventing pregnancy.”
How much funding is available?
Awards can be up to $35,000 each year, depending on the applicant’s career and research. The NIH offers 1.3 million in awards for this particular program each year.
What are the eligibility requirements?
- In order to qualify for the contraception and infertility loan forgiveness program, applicants:
- Must be a physician, Ph.D-level scientist, nurse, physician assistant, graduate student, postgraduate fellow
- Must be a U.S. Citizen, national, or permanent resident
- Have student loans that amount to 20 percent or more of their institutional base salary
- Must be engaged in research at a qualifying organization or employed or in training at an NICHD extramural laboratory
- Conduct research at an eligible organization or federal agency
- Research material is in accordance with laws, policies, and regulations
- Work for at least two years, serving at least 20 hours per week
In order to qualify, you must not have an obligation to serve in another loan repayment program that is related to health professions, such as National Health Service Corps.
5. Clinical research for individuals with disadvantaged backgrounds
Applicants who come from “disadvantaged backgrounds” that made it difficult to obtain the knowledge and skills required for their career could be eligible for Extramural Loan Repayment Program for Clinical Research for Individuals from Disadvantaged Backgrounds (LRP-IDB).
Who can apply?
This program is designed for applicants who come from environments that made them disadvantaged to opportunities. On the website, the NIH defines disadvantaged background as:
1. Comes from an environment that inhibited the individual from obtaining the knowledge, skill and ability required to enroll in and graduate from a health professions school; or
2. Comes from a family with an annual income below a level based on low-income thresholds according to family size published by the U.S. Bureau of the Census, adjusted annually for changes in the Consumer Price Index, and adjusted by the Secretary for use in all health professions programs. The Secretary periodically publishes these income levels in the Federal Register.
Applicants who fit the bill are also focused on clinical research pertaining to human subjects and work in an inpatient or outpatient setting that is patient-facing may qualify for the program. It’s important to note that all applications will be reviewed by the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD).
How much funding is available?
Awards can be up to $35,000 each year, depending on each candidate’s potential in their career and their research ability. The NIH offers $1 million to this program each year.
What are the eligibility requirements?
In order to qualify for this particular program applicants:
- Have an 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 qualified doctoral degree equivalent
- Must be a U.S. citizen, national, or permanent resident
- Has student loan debt equal or more than 20 percent of their institutional base salary
- Must be employed with qualifying nonprofit, government agency or institution
- Research abides by all laws and regulations
- Serve for a minimum of two years and work an average of at least 20 hours per week
Applicants who are currently taking advantage of another health profession-related loan forgiveness program are disqualified for any funding.
How to apply for Extramural NIH loan repayment programs
In order to apply for Extramural NIH programs, you’ll need to register with NIH first and then submit your application during the application period. Prepare to submit a variety of information including your research plans, career goals, personal statement, as well as reference letters and other supporting materials.
If applying for LRP-IDB for individuals with disadvantaged backgrounds, you’ll also need to verify your disadvantaged designation through a written statement or through written proof of Health Professions Student Loans or Loans for Disadvantaged Students or verification of scholarship from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under the Scholarship for Individuals with Exceptional Financial Need.
Intramural NIH loan repayment programs
The intramural programs are for researchers employed within the National Institute of Health. For this type of program, there are three specific areas where funding is available.
6. AIDS research
Researchers on the forefront of AIDS research within NIH could qualify for this particular program.
Who can apply?
This program is designed to serve researchers whose work, “includes studies of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the pathophysiology of HIV infection, the development of models of HIV infection and its sequelae, cofactors predisposing to HIV infection and AIDS, or its sequelae, and the development of vaccines and therapeutics.”
Applicants must have an AIDS research assignment and be approved by the NIH’s Loan Repayment Committee.
How much funding is available?
Awards can be up to $35,000 each year for candidates in this program.
What are the eligibility requirements?
In order to qualify for the intramural AIDS research loan forgiveness program, applicants:
- Work at NIH with a qualified AIDS research assignment
- Must have an M.D., Ph.D., D.O., D.D.S., D.M.D., D.P.M., D.V.M., A.D.N., B.S.N. or comparable doctoral degree, or be a physician assistant
- Must be a U.S. Citizen, national, or permanent resident
- Have student loan debt equal to or greater than 20 percent of their institutional base salary
- Serve a minimum of two-year commitment
In collaboration with your NIH supervisor, you can discuss if this is the right program for you.
7. General research
NIH employees who are engaging in general research may be eligible for this particular program. This program is available to researchers engaging in various fields of research. There’s also a General Research program for the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME).
Who can apply?
This program is designed for researchers, especially physicians, who are engaging in general research. The type of research that qualifies must be approved by the Loan Repayment Committee.
How much funding is available?
Applicants can earn up to $35,000 per year during their service.
What are the eligibility requirements?
In order to qualify for the intramural general research loan forgiveness program applicants:
- Must work at NIH
- Must be a U.S. citizen, national, or permanent resident
- Must have student loan debt amount equal or greater to 20 percent of institutional base salary
- Serve three years at an NIH appointment
Working with your supervisor, you can see if this is the best repayment program for you.
8. Clinical research for individuals with disadvantaged backgrounds
Similar to the program listed above, the NIH offers a program within its organization for researchers from a “disadvantaged background.”
Who can apply?
This program is designed to support researchers who have a disadvantaged background such as being low-income, that would prevent getting the education and opportunities of someone else with greater access. Aside from that, this is for researchers who are doing clinical research working with human subjects in clinical trials, working to advance research in specific areas, such as disease or physiology.
How much funding is available?
Awards can be up to $35,000 each year based on service and commitment to the NIH mission.
What are the eligibility requirements?
In order to qualify for this program, applicants:
- Must be employed with NIH
- Be considered “disadvantaged” by submitting supporting evidence
- Must have an M.D., Ph.D., D.O., D.D.S., D.M.D., D.P.M., D.V.M., A.D.N., B.S.N. or doctoral equivalent
- Must be a U.S. citizen, national, or a permanent resident
- Have student loan debt in an amount equal or more than 20 percent of their institutional base salary
- Serve a minimum of two years in this program
It’s important to note that all applications will be reviewed by the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD). You must also have a specific assignment approved by the Loan Repayment Committee.
How to apply to Intramural an NIH loan repayment program
Under the assistance of your supervisor, applicants should see which of the three intramural NIH loan repayment programs is the best for them. Once you’ve identified the best fit with the help of your supervisor, you can apply to your chosen program through the NIH online portal.
Get in touch about NIH loan forgiveness programs
As you can see, there are various options within the NIH loan repayment and forgiveness programs that are available to NIH staff as well as other health researchers outside of the institution. These programs can help reduce qualified educational debt. For more information, you can check out their FAQs and interactive roadmap.
Will you be taking advantage of these& NIH loan forgiveness programs?
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