FREEDOM TO PURSUE YOUR CAREER IN RESEARCH

Research scientists develop treatments and discover cures for diseases and disorders that affect us all. More researchers are needed to meet today’s critical health needs. The NIH Loan Repayment Programs (LRPs) encourage promising researchers and scientists to pursue research careers by repaying up to $35,000 of their qualified student loan debt each year, through: 

Extramural LRPs - for researchers and scientists conducting research at universities and other nonprofit organizations 

Intramural LRPs - for NIH employee researchers

A separate Student Loan Repayment Program is also available to certain NIH employees who are not research scientists.

Your research goals need to be within the mission of NIH and scope of the LRPs. You do not need an NIH grant to participate in the NIH Loan Repayment Programs.

Get Started

Follow the three Get Started steps on this page to learn about the extramural LRPs, verify your eligibility, and apply to one of the programs.

Our Application Guide will acquaint you with the content and format of the application so that you can begin preparing to complete it. The Resources section of the website provides additional tools and information.

The LRP application is available and accepted online through this website from September 1 through December 1 each year.

Assistance

Our FAQ and Notice NIH Extramural Loan Repayment Programs (LRPs) will answer many of your questions about the programs and application process.

Our LRP Information Center staff is available to answer your questions Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern time. Call 866-849-4047 or e-mail lrp@nih.gov.