Loan Repayment Programs (United States)

The NIH 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 escalating costs of advanced education and training in medicine and clinical specialties are forcing some scientists to abandon their research careers for higher-paying private industry or private practice 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. **Program Overview** There are two LRPs: the Extramural LRP for researchers not employed by NIH, and the Intramural LRP for researchers employed by NIH. NIH announces the availability of LRP funds through notices in the NIH Guide. Select a box below to learn more about each program. **Extramural LRP** For researchers not employed by NIH, including trainees and fellows. **Intramural LRP** For researchers employed inside NIH.