<< back to FAQs menu
|
|
|
|
|
| |
What are the 5 Loan Repayment Programs that I can apply to?
The 5 Loan Repayment Programs (LRPs) include the Clinical Research LRP, Pediatric Research LRP, Contraception & Infertility Research LRP, Health Disparities Research LRP, and the Clinical Research LRP for Individuals from Disadvantaged Backgrounds. |
What is qualified Clinical Research?
Clinical Research is defined by NIH as "patient-oriented clinical research conducted with human subjects, or research on the causes and consequences of disease in human populations involving material of human origin (such as tissue specimens and cognitive phenomena) for which an investigator or colleague directly interacts with human subjects in an outpatient or inpatient setting to clarify a problem in human physiology, pathophysiology or disease, or epidemiologic or behavioral studies, outcomes research or health services research, or developing new technologies, therapeutic interventions, or clinical trials." |
What is qualified Pediatric Research?
Pediatric research is that which is directly related to diseases, disorders, and other conditions in children.
|
What is qualified Health Disparities Research?
Health Disparities research is basic research, clinical research or
behavioral research directly relevant to health disparity populations
and the medically underserved. |
What is qualified Contraception and Infertility Research?
For purposes of the Contraception
and Infertility LRP, infertility research is defined as research whose
long-range objective is to evaluate, treat or ameliorate conditions which
result in the failure of couples to either conceive or bear young and
contraception research is defined as research whose ultimate goal is to
provide new or improved methods of preventing pregnancy.
|
What is the definition of "Disadvantaged Background"?
"An individual from a disadvantaged background" is defined according to low family income levels set by the U.S. Bureau of the Census - as published in the Federal Register.
To meet this low-income requirement you must demonstrate your disadvantaged status by submitting (1) a written statement from your former school(s) where you qualified for Federal disadvantaged assistance, (2) verification of receipt of loans from either the Health Professions Student Loans (HPSL) or Loans for Disadvantaged Student Program, or (3) verification of a scholarship from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services under the Scholarship for Individuals with Exceptional Financial Need. For more detail on eligibility requirements click here.
|
What does NIH require of participants?
In return for loan repayments, LRP participants are legally bound to
a “service obligation” to conduct qualifying research supported by a domestic nonprofit or U.S. Government (Federal, state, or local) entity for 50% of their time (at least 20 hours per week based on a 40 hour week) for two years. NIH makes quarterly loan repayments concurrent with the participants’ satisfaction of their service obligation.
|
How can I apply?
Applications must be submitted on line via the LRP Website, www.lrp.nih.gov.
|
Can I apply based on research already completed?
No. LRPs are not retroactive.
|
How do I know if my LRP application should be for a new or renewal contract?
You can use the guidelines below as a general rule. If you have questions on your specific situation, please call the LRP Help Line at 866 849-4047.
You should apply for a New LRP contract if:
- You are applying to the NIH LRP for the first time
- You have applied before but were not awarded the NIH LRP
- You are applying under a different LRP than the one you may have received in the past. Examples:
- You received benefits under the Extramural Clinical Research LRP but you plan to apply under the Extramural Pediatric Research LRP, or
- You worked for NIH and received benefits under the Intramural Program. You are no longer working at NIH but continue to pursue qualifying research outside of NIH, you would apply as an Extramural New applicant.
- It has been more than 5 years since your prior contract ended
- You had a prior new LRP contract that was terminated during its first year
You should apply for a Renewal LRP contract if:
- You received a prior LRP award within the last 5 years and you are applying under the same LRP program. For example: you received an award under the Extramural Clinical Research LRP and are again applying under the Extramural Clinical Research LRP
- Your LRP contract was terminated after the first year, however, significant progress was made in your research (please contact the Help Line for more information)
|
How are LRP payments calculated? What will my payments be?
Payment projections are based on your repayable debt calculated at the start of your LRP contract. The NIH will repay 25% of your repayable debt, up to a maximum of $35,000 per year. Payments will be made on a quarterly basis during the LRP contract period. Please note that you will receive the maximum of $35,000 per year only if your repayable debt is equal to or greater than $140,000. To estimate how much student loan debt can be repaid, click here.
|
How are LRP payments made?
NIH issues quarterly payments directly to your lenders to repay principal,
interest, and qualified related expenses. NIH prioritizes the order
in which loans are repaid. Click here for additional details.
|
Are LRP payments taxable?
Yes, loan repayment payments are taxable income. To address that tax liability, NIH makes payments directly to participants' IRS tax accounts at the rate of 39% of the loan repayments. NIH
can also make tax reimbursement payments to participants who document
additional Federal, state or local tax liabilities attributable to loan
repayment or tax payment income. For further detail, click here.
|
How are applicants selected for LRP awards?
The NIH Institutes and Centers (ICs) each convene peer review groups of non-NIH scientists to review the applications most closely aligned with the IC’s mission. Reviewers are asked to consider 1) the potential of the applicant to pursue a career in research and 2) the quality of the applicant’s overall research environment as preparation for a research career. This is a competitive review.
|
How many applicants will actually be funded?
Almost 60% of eligible applications for
Clinical Research and Pediatric Research loan repayment programs were funded last year. Please check the general information pages on the specific LRP programs in which you are interested to learn about participation levels.
|
When will applicants be notified about their awards?
LRP applicants will receive notice of award funding between June and
August following the application deadline.
|
Will the Loan Repayment Program be offered next year?
Yes, NIH plans to continue LRP programs in the next fiscal year. NIH is dependent upon the receipt of an appropriation from the US Congress for all of its programs.
|
If my research will likely qualify me for more than one LRP, how do I decide which LRP to pursue?
Seek the advice of your principal investigator, mentor, or other colleagues who best understand your research and career goals. In addition, you can consult with the LRP liaison at the NIH Institute or Center most closely affiliated with your research. Click here for a list of contacts.
|
Where can I get more information?
For an online application, deadline dates, or other assistance:
visit our Web site at www.lrp.nih.gov
telephone the LRP Helpline at 866-849-4047
|
Is it possible to change employers, research projects, or laboratories during the LRP contract?
Yes, but if you change labs or employers, NIH will reassess your continued eligibility for LRP payments.
|
