Pay down your education loans with the annual NIH loan repayment program

Let NIH repay your student loans while you conduct your research. If you’re a health professional pursuing a career in biomedical, behavioral, social or clinical research, and you plan to commit at least two years to research, you may be eligible for up to $35,000 per year from the NIH Loan Repayment Programs. The following programs are available:

• Clinical Research (NOT-OD-11-085)
• Pediatric Research (NOT-OD-11-086)
• Health Disparities Research (NOT-OD-11-087)
• Contraception and Infertility Researchers (NOT-OD-11-088)
• Clinical Research Program for Individuals from Disadvantaged Backgrounds (NOT-OD-11-089)

Eligibility for each program is different, so be sure to read the full notices. For all Loan Repayment Programs, applicants must conduct qualifying research (see specific notice for each program); applicants must be U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, or permanent resident of the U.S; applicants must have a doctoral degree from an accredited institution; applicants must have total qualifying educational debt equal to or in excess of 20% of their institutional base salary at the time of award (between July and September annually); and applicants must devote at least 50% of their time (20 hours per week) to research in the priority areas.

Note that these grants are awarded to the individual and do not go through OHSU’s system. However, you must work with Research Grants & Contracts (our pre-award office) to verify your affiliation with the university.

Updated July 6, 2011: Thinking about applying? Check out this webinar, hosted by the NIH Division of Loan Repayment.

View the rest of this week’s Funding Alerts.