NIH Loan Repayment Program (LRP)
The NIH Loan Repayment Program (LRP) offers highly competitive grants that repay up to $50,000 of qualified student loan debt annually for health professionals who commit to conducting mission-relevant research funded by domestic nonprofit or government organizations.
Award Amount
$50,000
Deadline
November 20, 2026
Opens
September 1, 2026
Est. Time
15-20 hours
Source
NIH Grants
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must hold a doctoral-level degree (e.g., MD, PhD, DDS, etc.), have qualified educational debt totaling at least 20% of their base salary, and engage in research funded by an NIH-recognized entity.
Who Can Apply
Health professionals engaged in clinical, pediatric, health disparities, or contraception and infertility research at domestic nonprofit or government institutions.
Application Instructions
Applicants must submit their application through the official NIH LRP portal, which requires creating an account and providing institutional and research support documentation.
Required Documents
- Institutional support documentation
- Research performance progress report
- Personal statement
- Detailed research plan
Geographic Restrictions
United States
Required Essays
- Personal Statement regarding research goals
- Research Accomplishments and Objectives
How to Stand Out
Clearly articulate the potential impact of your research on human health and provide strong support from your institutional mentors and department heads.
Risk Warnings
This is a competitive government program; ensure all data is accurate to avoid rejection due to administrative errors or non-compliance with NIH requirements.