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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.
Application Periods and Documentation Deadlines
| LRP Application Due Dates | Review and Award Periods | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Program | Application Opens | Application Due Date | IC Review | Financial Review | Award Start Date |
| Extramural New & Renewal Awards | September 1, 2025 | November 20, 2025 | February - May | March - July | July 1, 2026 |
| Intramural New & Renewal Awards | January 2, 2025 | March 17, 2025 | March - April | April - June | Varies |
| Intramural ACGME New Awards | January 2, 2025 | April 15, 2025 | Not Applicable | April - June | July 1, 2025 |
Manage an Award
Visit the Award section to access your portal, manage your awards, and/or renew your LRP award.