Research in Emerging Areas Critical to Human Health (REACH)
Section 487B of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 288-2) provides the NIH Director with direct authority to establish a new subcategory area under the Extramural Loan Repayment Program based on workforce and scientific priorities. The purpose of the REACH subcategory is to recruit and retain highly qualified health professionals into research careers:
- Where there are major gaps in biomedical and biobehavioral research; and/or
- To expand research in emerging areas critical to human health
REACH applicants are strongly encouraged to pay attention to the Institute or Center specific research priorities listed below, which are relevant to applications for a REACH LRP award in Fiscal Year 2026 (Application Deadline: November 20, 2025). Applicants are also strongly encouraged to discuss their career interests with an NIH Institute or Center scientific liaison before applying.
NIH Institute/Center | LRP Liaison |
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National Cancer Institute (NCI)For the purposes of the REACH (L70) LRP, NCI accepts applications proposing innovative research in areas of priority of the NCI. Applications focused on computational, data science, or informatics approaches, such as artificial intelligence and machine learning, to advance cancer research are encouraged. NCI will consider applications for the REACH LRP that do not fall within the eligibility criteria for the other LRP subcategories. |
Dr. Mark Damico |
National Eye Institute (NEI)For the REACH LRP, NEI will accept proposals dealing with innovative research to understand the eye and visual system, prevent and treat vision diseases, and expand opportunities for people who are visually impaired or require vision rehabilitation. NEI will also accept applications dealing with data science, regenerative medicine, artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, and bioinformatics related to visual disorders and vision science are also encouraged under LRP initiative. |
Dr. Neeraj Agarwal [email protected] |
National Heart Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI)The NHLBI will support the REACH LRP for clinician scientists proposing research on any topic of strategic importance to NHLBI across its portfolio of heart, lung, blood, and sleep diseases and disorders. The research can span any stage along the research spectrum from basic science to late-stage translation and implementation science. Applications that qualify under other existing LRP programs supported by NHLBI are not responsive to this program. Candidates must hold a degree including, but not limited to M.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 equivalent doctoral-level degree from an accredited institution. Individuals with a Ph.D. or other equivalent doctoral degree in clinical disciplines such as clinical psychology, nursing, clinical genetics, speech-language pathology, audiology or rehabilitation are also eligible. Individuals holding a Ph.D. in a non-clinical discipline but who are certified to perform clinical duties should contact NHLBI to determine eligibility. |
Dr. Roya Kalantari |
National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI)NHGRI will support genetic counselors at the master’s and doctoral levels who are involved in genomics research offering their intellectual expertise either as part of a team or as an independent researcher. The research focus must be toward advancing the science of genomic medicine and the incorporation of genomics in improving the effectiveness of health care. NHGRI is strongly committed to supporting genomics research that addresses health disparities. |
Ms. Heather Colley 301-402-0343 [email protected] |
National Institute on Aging (NIA)NIA will accept applications for the REACH LRP with aging-focused research projects on artificial intelligence, machine learning, robotics, management strategies for multiple chronic conditions, deprescribing, approaches to tele/virtual functional assessment, resilience, and geroscience-related interventions in older adults and aging populations. |
Dr. Xin Yuan 301-827-0009 [email protected] |
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)NIAAA supports research on alcohol use in several scientific areas including epidemiology and prevention, basic and clinical studies to identify mechanisms of organ and tissue damage and effects on brain systems and behavior, as well as research on behavioral and pharmacological approaches to treating alcohol-related problems and promoting recovery from alcohol use disorder. For the LRP-REACH program, NIAAA is particularly interested in investigators with basic science projects in the areas of metabolism and physiological and pathological health effects or neuroscience and behavior. Studies investigating biological mechanisms on the molecular, cellular and organ level are encouraged. Preclinical studies for the development of medications will also be considered. NIAAA will also support projects using computational and data science approaches in alcohol research, including developing new software applications or algorithms for analysis and integration of NIAAA and public data sets. Projects with computational or systems biology models of alcohol exposure on molecular, cellular, organ, network and organism models from initial alcohol exposure and extending through alcohol use disorder, treatment and recovery will be considered appropriate. |
Dr. Elizabeth Powell |
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)The mission of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) is to conduct and support basic and applied research to better understand, treat, and ultimately prevent infectious, immunologic, and allergic diseases. The NIAID will consider applications for the REACH LRP in the next fiscal year that fall within the Institute’s mission areas and do not meet the eligibility criteria for the Clinical, Pediatric, or Health Disparities subcategories as defined by the NIH LRP. |
Dr. Jyothi Arikkath [email protected] |
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS)NIAMS will accept applications from all applicants in:
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Dr. Isaah Vincent 301-496-0747 [email protected] |
National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB)For the REACH LRP, NIBIB will accept applications that propose research within NIBIB’s interests but do not meet the research eligibility requirements for Clinical, Pediatric or Health Disparities as defined by the Loan Repayment Program. NIBIB’s interests include the development and integration of advanced bioengineering, sensing, imaging, and computational technologies for the improvement of human health and medical care. Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact the NIBIB LRP Liaison before they begin to prepare their application. |
Dr. Tina Gatlin |
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD)Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact NIDCD before submitting an application and provide a 1-page statement addressing each REACH LRP objectives and NIDCD priorities listed below. LRP-REACH Objective
NIDCD Priorities
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Cendrine Robinson, PhD, MPH 301-480-6797 [email protected] |
National institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR)A high priority for the NIDCR is developing and sustaining a robust dentist-scientist research workforce. The dentist-scientist research workforce is vital for the expertise it brings to identifying important clinical questions that drive basic discoveries, enhancing diagnostic and therapeutic approaches, and improving dental, oral and craniofacial health. The intent of the NIDCR REACH is to provide an opportunity for dentist-scientists, whose research is in areas outside of the NIH clinical, pediatric or health disparities LRP research programs. The REACH program will accept applications from dentist-scientists performing oral health research that align with the NIDCR Extramural Grant Programs and do not meet the eligibility criteria for the NIH Clinical, Clinical for Disadvantaged Backgrounds, Pediatric, or Health Disparities Loan Repayment Programs. |
Dr. Chantel Fuqua 240-338-9322 [email protected] |
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)NIDDK will accept applications for the REACH LRP that are within the mission of NIDDK but do not meet the research eligibility requirements for Clinical, Pediatric or Health Disparities as defined by the Loan Repayment Program |
Dr. David Saslowsky 301-594-8876 [email protected] |
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)NIDA will be accepting LRP REACH applications for each of the following categories:
For eligibility questions please visit lrp.nih.gov or contact NIDA's LRP office at [email protected]. |
Dr. Lindsey Friend 301-402-1428 [email protected] |
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS)For the purposes of the REACH LRP, applications in the following emerging areas and/or sub-areas will be prioritized:
NIEHS makes its funding decisions based on scientific merit responsiveness to the Institute's priorities and availability of funds. |
Ms. Toccara Ann Chamberlain 984-287-4482 [email protected] |
National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)To further NIGMS’ mission to train a strong biomedical research workforce and enhance research capacity at institutions, states and regions across the Nation, NIGMS will only accept LRP REACH applications from eligible individuals currently supported through the following NIGMS research training, career development and research programs:
To enhance research capacity Nationwide, NIGMS encourages applications from individuals conducting research in IDeA States. |
Dr. Shannon Doyle [email protected] |
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)The NIMH REACH LRP will only accept applications from investigators with clinically oriented degrees who are licensed to practice medicine and conduct basic research aligned with NIMH’s strategic plan. Applications that qualify under other existing LRP programs supported by NIMH are not responsive to this program. |
Dr. Mark Chavez 301-443-8942 [email protected] |
National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD)For the Research in Emerging Areas Critical to Human Health (REACH) program, NIMHD supports applications in the following areas:
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LCDR Michael Banyas, USPHS, M.P.A., M.A. (candidate) |
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)NINDS encourages LRP applications from any individual who is conducting research within the NINDS mission that
General NINDS priorities and policies regarding the LRP can be found at https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Funding/Apply-Funding/Loan-Repayment-Programs. |
Dr. Lauren Elizabeth Ullrich 301-451-7964 [email protected] |
National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR)The National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR) will support the REACH LRP for scientists from any discipline proposing research aligned with our mission and strategic priorities. NINR leads discoveries of innovative systems and models of care, breakthroughs in disease prevention and health promotion, and advances in population and community health. Our research empowers individuals, families, communities, and populations to optimize their health and well-being. Drawing on the strengths of nursing’s holistic, contextualized perspective, core values, and broad reach, NINR funds multilevel and cross-sectoral research that addresses the myriad factors that impact health across the many settings in which nurses practice, including homes, schools, workplaces, clinics, criminal-legal settings, and the community. NINR has a particular interest in fostering multi-disciplinary and multisectoral research to fill critical research gaps in understanding and intervening on the complex interplay between school environments, education, health services, and the surrounding ecosystem to optimize educational and health outcomes for all youth. |
Dr. Libbey Bowen 301-496-9022 [email protected] |
National Library of Medicine (NLM)The National Library of Medicine (NLM) welcomes applications for the REACH LRP that emphasize Informatics and Data Science research. NLM is particularly interested in projects that advance the fields of Bioinformatics, Translational Bioinformatics, Clinical Informatics, Public Health Informatics, and Personal Health Informatics across diverse disease areas. Eligible applications may focus on the development of innovative technologies, methods, tools, or software platforms that support biomedical research, healthcare delivery, health data management and analytics, or the dissemination of health information. Projects should demonstrate potential to broadly impact public health and/or address the growing demand for advanced data-driven approaches in biomedical science. |
Dr. Catherine Farrell 301-402-7081 [email protected] |
John E. Fogarty International Center (FIC)FIC promotes and supports scientific research and training internationally to broadly advance global health. FIC will support the REACH LRP for scientists proposing research in World Bank-classified low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) on any topic of strategic importance to FIC, at any stage along the research spectrum from basic science to late-stage translation and implementation science. Apply to the NIH institute or center that most closely aligns with your area of research. FIC cannot be listed as the primary institution on applications but can be listed as a secondary institution. FIC is looking for applicants whose research is consistent with the mission of the Center. Candidates must hold a degree including, but not limited to Ph.D., M.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 equivalent doctoral-level degree from an accredited institution. Selection priority is given to current and former FIC trainees and grantees. |
Dr. Brad Newsome 301-480-8389 [email protected] |
National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS)NCATS will support investigators at the master’s and doctoral levels with expertise in:
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Dr. Dale Robin Burwen 301-480-2065 [email protected] |
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)NCCIH accepts applications to the Clinical Research, Pediatric Research, Health Disparities Research, and REACH Loan Repayment Programs. NCCIH’s mission is to define, through rigorous scientific investigation, the usefulness and safety of complementary and integrative health interventions and their roles in improving health and health care. All applications must be aligned to NCCIH's mission research priorities and strategic plan. Specific for the REACH LRP, NCCIH’s specific interest include the following:
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Dr. Jennifer N. Baumgartner 301-402-4084 [email protected] |
Office of Research on Women's Health (ORWH)ORWH focuses on advancing research that is relevant to the health of women. Applicants should ensure their proposed work aligns with the NIH-Wide Strategic Plan for Research on the Health of Women. ORWH does not award grants but co-funds applications and research projects that have received an award from one of the participating NIH Institutes and Centers listed in the announcement. Visit the ORWH website or contact the appropriate ORWH staff to learn more. |
Dr. Carolyn Bondar |