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SERVING THE NEEDS OF THE NIH LRPs
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) Division of Loan Repayment (DLR) administers all aspects of the NIH Extramural
Loan Repayment Programs (LRPs) for scientists conducting nonprofit research outside of NIH, and supports application and
payment activities for the NIH Intramural Loan Repayment Programs for NIH employee researchers.
Brief History
In 1988, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) launched its first LRP, when Congress authorized
the agency to establish the AIDS Research LRP. The program offered to repay student loan debt and was instrumental in
attracting young scientists into AIDS research so that the disease could be quickly understood and effective therapies developed.
The initiative was so successful at increasing the number of investigators that it became clear the same incentive could be applied
to other areas in critical need of researchers. In 1993, Congress authorized three additional LRPs-two for intramural researchers
(NIH employees conducting research at NIH) and one for extramural researchers (those conducting research for nonprofit organizations
outside NIH). Today, following further Congressional authorizations in 2000, eight LRPs provide up to $35,000 in annual educational
loan repayment for scientists conducting biomedical and behavioral research.
The LRPs Today
DLR maintains the online application system for the LRPs, screens applications for completeness and eligibility, coordinates payments
to the lenders of successful applicants, and conducts communications and outreach activities to raise awareness about the LRPs.
The LRP Information Center staff answers questions and provides
information about the LRPs, eligibility, benefits, and the application process. LRP Information Center staff can be reached at:
E-mail: lrp@nih.gov
Phone: 866-849-4047
Calls are answered Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Eastern time (excluding federal holidays)
SERVING THE NEEDS OF THE NIH DIVISION OF LOAN REPAYMENT
A list of NIH Federal Staff supporting the efforts of the NIH Loan Repayment Programs can be accessed on the NIH OER Web site.
Date Last Updated: October 22, 2012
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