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For information about the NRSA service obligation click here
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| Under what circumstances will NIH consider early releases from the service obligation? |
Early termination of a service obligation will not be considered a breach of contract in
cases where such termination is beyond the control of the participant. For example, sometimes
a participant's research assignment changes to the extent that the project is no longer qualified
research. Similarly, sometimes the needs of the supporting institution demand that the participant
be reassigned to another project. An individual who voluntarily terminated their research
activities for private practice is in breach of their LRP Contract.
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How much are monetary damages to participants found in breach of contract?
The penalty for breaching the LRP contract is $7,500 for each month of unserved
service, plus all amounts paid on their behalf for any period of obligated service
not served. Interest shall be charged on the amount owed to the NIH from the date
of breach. The amount the U.S. is entitled to recover shall not be less
than $31,000. |
How much are monetary damages to participants who are fulfilling a one- or two-year extension of the original LRP contract?
Zero. Loan repayments will be prorated and terminated as of the date the research
work stops but the participant will be entitled to payments up to that date and no
penalties will be assessed. |
How does NIH know whether a participant is fulfilling his or her agreement to complete at least 20 hours of research work per week?
NIH will e-mail your research supervisor at the end of each quarter to verify that you are still
pursuing your research. When a positive response is received the scheduled loan repayments for that
quarter are disbursed. |
Do I have to stay at the same institution for the 2 years of the LRP Contract? I am currently on a fellowship that will be ending during the contract period.
During the initial two-year period and subsequent renewal periods the LRP awards are portable and can be transferred across institutions and research projects. However, the portability of the awards is subject to a review of continuing eligibility by the NIH Institute or Center (IC) that funded the award. In their review of continuing eligibility, the funding IC will assess the appropriateness of the research project, research environment, and mentoring plan, as well as reconfirm that basic eligibility conditions will be satisfied, e.g., that the research is supported by domestic nonprofit funding and will occupy 50 percent or more of your total level of effort for an average of at least 20 hours per week during each quarterly service period. That is, during each contract quarter, you must conduct the required research for a minimum of 240 hours (based on a 12-week quarter) or 260 hours (based on a 13-week quarter ).
You should notify the NIH LRP of any changes to your research assignment and/or institution during the two-year period, and we will provide you with instructions on requesting NIH approval for the changes to your institution or research project. It is recommended that you advise us of these changes 2 months prior to their effective date, to allow sufficient processing time within the NIH.
If you are unable to establish qualifying research assignments for the two-year period, you should consider reapplying when you are in a better position to comply with the contract provisions. Loan repayment is expected to be offered every year.
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How do I find out if I have an outstanding service obligation?
You need to contact the institution that awarded you a grant, award, or scholarship with an associated service obligation to learn if there is a remaining obligation.
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