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NIH Loan Repayment Program
The NIH Loan Repayment Program (LRP) may repay up to $50k annually of an NIH researcher's qualified educational debt. This year's NIH LRP application cycle opens on September 1 and runs through November 21.
Applicants are required to work with ORSP on some elements of this application process. See below for details.
Application Cycle Open from September 1 to November 21, 2024
Key Information for U-M LRP Applicants:
- Institutional Business Official: Amanda Reel, ORSP Senior Project Representative, is the Institutional Business Official (IBO) to list on LRP Applications.
- Use her Commons ID (REELA1). Note that all caps is required.
- For questions email reela@umich.edu.
- No PAF is required: Individuals apply for the program, so no Proposal Approval Form (PAF) is necessary.
- Dates and Deadlines: The application cycle is open from September 1 to November 21, 2024. ORSP and NIH recommend completing the Colleague Information section of the application at least two weeks before the submission deadline.
- You'll need an eRA Commons ID with the PI role: Use this Commons ID Request Form to submit the request to ORSP. Note: Before you submit this request, you must have previously signed into eResearch.
The LRP Application is now part of ASSIST
The NIH LRP application is now part of the Application Submission System & Interface for Submission Tracking (ASSIST). ASSIST is used to prepare and submit applications electronically to NIH and other Public Health Service agencies.
Login to ASSIST with your eRA commons ID. Once you have logged in, click Go for the “Initiate or Access Loan Repayment Application” option.
Applicants should review the NIH LRP Website for helpful resources, including FAQ’s and the Application Guide.
What is the Loan Repayment Program?
The Loan Repayment Programs (LRPs) are a set of programs established by Congress and designed to recruit and retain highly qualified health professionals into biomedical or biobehavioral research careers. The LRPs counteract that financial pressure by repaying up to $50,000 annually of a researcher's qualified educational debt in return for a commitment to engage in NIH mission-relevant research.
FAQs
It depends. We rely on multiple parties for the required certifications. The IBO certification must be completed by the LRP deadline, so we recommend that you not wait until the last minute to input the IBO info into the ASSIST application.
The LRP instructions state: You should complete the Colleague Information section of the application at least two weeks before the submission deadline to give your colleagues time to submit documents in support of your application by the deadline.
The most common error seen when inputting IBO information in ASSIST is: “Please confirm that the IBO you selected is still at your IC. If the IBO is still at your IC, then they may need to add the BO role to their eRA Commons account. Please check with your IBO.”
This is usually the result of inputting the wrong contact's Commons ID in the IBO field or not entering it in all-caps. Please correct this to U-M's IBO Commons ID in all caps: REELA1. Save application once corrected. If you are still experiencing errors, contact the IBO (reela@umich.edu).
See the LRP FAQ page for their definitions and guidance regarding for-profit support.
All LRP awardees are encouraged to immediately inquire about any potential involvement with for-profit activities to ensure compliance with the LRP contract by emailing lrp@nih.gov and copy the IBO (reela@umich.edu) or forward the full thread to the IBO when the LRP provides a determination in writing about the support.
See the LRP FAQ page for their definitions and guidance regarding for-profit support.
Unless the LRP determines the for-profit support is eligible, you will need to remove effort from the project and cease receiving research support from it.
ORSP will need departmental concurrence that this will be completed before an LRP award would start, before the ORSP IBO can certify your application in the IBO portal. A violation of the terms and conditions of the LRP contract may result in the termination of an LRP award with penalties.
Applicants with a VA Appointment may still be eligible to receive an LRP award if they have less than a 5/8ths time appointment.
Regarding federal employment, the LRP defines an Ineligible Individual as: Full-time (and some part-time) federal employees [NOTE: Part-time federal employees (20 hours per week or less) engaged in research supported by a non-federal entity for at least 20 hours per week may be eligible].
Visit the NIH LRP website for complete eligibility information and application instructions.