NIH Loan Repayment Program

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Just adding for those who WEREN'T funded (like me!), I was able to already get really helpful feedback from my program officer so I can start working on my application for the next cycle. For context: I was a first-time Health Disparities applicant to NIA. PO said my application was just a couple points shy of the funding line and gave me specific feedback to address in my resubmission. I didn't know if I had to wait until this cycle was officially done (I think I read on here some ICs were still making decisions) before I could get feedback but I knew I wasn't funded so I went ahead and reached out and was pleasantly surprised that I able to get my feedback now.
 
bpswphd said:
Just adding for those who WEREN'T funded (like me!), I was able to already get really helpful feedback from my program officer so I can start working on my application for the next cycle. For context: I was a first-time Health Disparities applicant to NIA. PO said my application was just a couple points shy of the funding line and gave me specific feedback to address in my resubmission. I didn't know if I had to wait until this cycle was officially done (I think I read on here some ICs were still making decisions) before I could get feedback but I knew I wasn't funded so I went ahead and reached out and was pleasantly surprised that I able to get my feedback now.
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Good they are giving feedback now. Used to not be the case 🙁

How did you know you weren't funded this go around? I think my IC (NHLBI) is still waiting to share their decisions.
 
Has anyone found it beneficial to reach out to a program officer while your status is "selected"? Not so much to ask, "when will I hear?", but to provide updates on productivity or other grants/awards since submission? I saw someone post something to this effect on twitter once and I wondered if there was any strategy to it or if those types of updates wouldn't be taken in to consideration at this point in the process.
 
drcoco2017 said:
Has anyone found it beneficial to reach out to a program officer while your status is "selected"? Not so much to ask, "when will I hear?", but to provide updates on productivity or other grants/awards since submission? I saw someone post something to this effect on twitter once and I wondered if there was any strategy to it or if those types of updates wouldn't be taken in to consideration at this point in the process.
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If you have updates, I would definitely reach out...you never know! I did reach out to the LRP office when I had grant updates during one application cycle (before financial review had started)...they told me there was no way to update my application. But I think I've seen people on this thread who have been able to update theirs. So worth a shot.
 
So if my application went from selected to submitted, does this imply and impending rejection? First-time, NIAAA CR. I think people have received funding decisions from this institute. So would this imply a rejection? Thanks.
 
strangeronatrain said:
So if my application went from selected to submitted, does this imply and impending rejection? First-time, NIAAA CR. I think people have received funding decisions from this institute. So would this imply a rejection? Thanks.
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Probably. I've been in this boat before. It sucks to get your hopes up, only to have the rug yanked out from under you. Anyway, it's probably worth contacting the NIAAA PO (DM me and I can give you the contact info) to see if they can offer any insight into your application and/or resubmission next year.
 
PsychPsyance said:
Probably. I've been in this boat before. It sucks to get your hopes up, only to have the rug yanked out from under you. Anyway, it's probably worth contacting the NIAAA PO (DM me and I can give you the contact info) to see if they can offer any insight into your application and/or resubmission next year.
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This same thing happened to me and my buddy back in 2018 when I last applied for renewal. We both didn't know what to expect, but both of us didn't win on that go around. Call the PO and get feedback. Its so nice they at least provide comments now.
 
Status just changed in the last 2 hours to "funded" and I can see the next payment in my awardee portal! For reference, this is a 2nd renewal for a NICHD Clinical Research LRP. Good luck to everyone waiting to hear from NICHD!
 
dcdoc82 said:
Status just changed in the last 2 hours to "funded" and I can see the next payment in my awardee portal! For reference, this is a 2nd renewal for a NICHD Clinical Research LRP. Good luck to everyone waiting to hear from NICHD!
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My status also just changed to funded and have portal payments set up for my 1st renewal, NICHD health disparities LRP. Good luck to everyone!
 
NIDCD Clinical 1st renewal changed to funded today! Applied for 2 years, but it appears to have been approved for only 1 based on the payment portal update. But I am exceptionally grateful and will apply for a second renewal this fall. Has anyone in the past applied for a 2 year renewal and only been awarded 1 year and received any feedback on why and/or successfully received a second renewal? I assume they just want to see continued progress / updates, but curious if any others have experienced this.
 
hearingscientist said:
NIDCD Clinical 1st renewal changed to funded today! Applied for 2 years, but it appears to have been approved for only 1 based on the payment portal update. But I am exceptionally grateful and will apply for a second renewal this fall. Has anyone in the past applied for a 2 year renewal and only been awarded 1 year and received any feedback on why and/or successfully received a second renewal? I assume they just want to see continued progress / updates, but curious if any others have experienced this.
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Congrats! Yes, I will be on my fourth renewal. My previous three were all for 1 year, despite asking for 2. For some reason, my next one was just approved for 2 years. I was told that many institutes prefer to fund renewals for 1 year in order to make more awards.
 
PsychPsyance said:
Congrats! Yes, I will be on my fourth renewal. My previous three were all for 1 year, despite asking for 2. For some reason, my next one was just approved for 2 years. I was told that many institutes prefer to fund renewals for 1 year in order to make more awards.
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Thanks so much! That’s really helpful. And congratulations! It must feel good to not have to reapply this fall!
 
hearingscientist said:
NIDCD Clinical 1st renewal changed to funded today! Applied for 2 years, but it appears to have been approved for only 1 based on the payment portal update. But I am exceptionally grateful and will apply for a second renewal this fall. Has anyone in the past applied for a 2 year renewal and only been awarded 1 year and received any feedback on why and/or successfully received a second renewal? I assume they just want to see continued progress / updates, but curious if any others have experienced this.
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Congratulations! I’m in this exact same situation. One of my mentors thought the 1-year renewal may be to increase the number of awards, as mentioned in the above post. I plan to reach out to the PO for advice for the next renewal.

This was my second time applying for an initial renewal. I spoke with the PO after my first attempt. I was apparently close to being funded and got some fairly specific advice on how to strengthen the next application. For anyone who didn’t get funded, I would recommend contacting your PO. Best of luck to all!
 
hearingresearcher said:
Congratulations! I’m in this exact same situation. One of my mentors thought the 1-year renewal may be to increase the number of awards, as mentioned in the above post. I plan to reach out to the PO for advice for the next renewal.

This was my second time applying for an initial renewal. I spoke with the PO after my first attempt. I was apparently close to being funded and got some fairly specific advice on how to strengthen the next application. For anyone who didn’t get funded, I would recommend contacting your PO. Best of luck to all!
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Congratulations, and thanks! It’s nice to hear others have experienced the 1 year renewal when applying for 2. I was thinking about reaching out the the PO. Is your LRP through NIDCD as well? (Your user name makes me think we may have the same IC). If you reach out and PO provides any general feedback, I would love to hear it!
 
hearingscientist said:
Congratulations, and thanks! It’s nice to hear others have experienced the 1 year renewal when applying for 2. I was thinking about reaching out the the PO. Is your LRP through NIDCD as well? (Your user name makes me think we may have the same IC). If you reach out and PO provides any general feedback, I would love to hear it!
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Yes! It was also through NIDCD for clinical research. I’d be happy to report back any advice that could be helpful.
 
I just checked the portal and saw my status changed to funded today! It's a new clinical extramural application through NHLBI. Good luck to everyone and thanks for all of the info these past few months. It's been so helpful and an invaluable source for maintaining sanity during this crazy stressful process.
 
Mine too! NHLBI clinical first renewal went to Funded today! Reapply if you didn't get yours this year! I had to reapply to get my first renewal!
 
skfergus said:
Mine too! NHLBI clinical first renewal went to Funded today! Reapply if you didn't get yours this year! I had to reapply to get my first renewal!
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Just wanted to second this. I had gotten an initial contract, followed by three one year renewals. Then I struck out for the next three years straight. Fortunately, the LRP had paid so much in, that I only had to make one year of payments. I changed the payment plan to be the absolute lowest amount I could, hoping that I would be able to get one more renewal. And finally, after three rejections, I got a fourth renewal. Keep at it 🙂
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Posting this mostly for the historical record, as I couldn't find any answers to this question. I'm a university faculty member but also a medical officer in the Army Reserves. I found out I was being deployed to the Middle East just before my status switched to "funded." While excited, I was also worried because I knew I wasn't going to be doing a minimum of 50% research. I let the LRP folks know about this, and they worked with me to develop a plan. Essentially, my award was funded, but put on hold for the entire time I'm gone (one year). If I come back early, they will activate it, and it will start then. Anyway, this means my 2 year award will actually run for 3 years, with no funding dispersed in year 1.
 
Thanks for all the great info on this thread.

So... if my status changed from selected to submitted, is the consensus that this is a bad sign?

I submitted to NICHD. This is my 4th attempt at a new award. It's been a frustrating experience.
 
hearingresearcher said:
Yes! It was also through NIDCD for clinical research. I’d be happy to report back any advice that could be helpful.
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I just received an email that my renewal was updated from one year to two years. I’m speechless. I have no idea how or why this happened but I am so incredibly grateful.
 
hearingscientist said:
I just received an email that my renewal was updated from one year to two years. I’m speechless. I have no idea how or why this happened but I am so incredibly grateful.
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I got the same e-mail! I'm so excited and grateful because my loans will be paid off at the end of the renewal. My e-mail to the PO will now be to thank him for his support and advice.
 
ManyAttempts said:
Thanks for all the great info on this thread.

So... if my status changed from selected to submitted, is the consensus that this is a bad sign?

I submitted to NICHD. This is my 4th attempt at a new award. It's been a frustrating experience.
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I guess I have my answer - I wasn't funded after being selected for financial review. This is so distressing. I don't think I'm the most brilliant or productive academic ever... but I am a full-time researcher at a major university, I have submitted multiple NIH R applications (none funded yet though), I've published 20+ papers in the last 4 years, I'll publish a dozen papers this year, half of my papers are first author and most in good journals, I'm co-I on a federal grant, the comments on my last two LRPs were things like "this is a highly meritorious application with no notable weaknesses," and the PO last year said I was right "on the bubble." So, if 50% of LRPs are funded, am I really in the bottom half? I'm at a loss.
 
ManyAttempts said:
I guess I have my answer - I wasn't funded after being selected for financial review. This is so distressing. I don't think I'm the most brilliant or productive academic ever... but I am a full-time researcher at a major university, I have submitted multiple NIH R applications (none funded yet though), I've published 20+ papers in the last 4 years, I'll publish a dozen papers this year, half of my papers are first author and most in good journals, I'm co-I on a federal grant, the comments on my last two LRPs were things like "this is a highly meritorious application with no notable weaknesses," and the PO last year said I was right "on the bubble." So, if 50% of LRPs are funded, am I really in the bottom half? I'm at a loss.
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@ManyAttempts - In the same boat. Just got my rejection notification today after being selected for financial review early May (first time extramural clinical research to NIAID/Fogarty) and got all my financial paperwork in within 2 days as I was so excited and so hopeful all summer. Saw my status revert to "Submitted" about a week ago and started thinking the worst but didn't want to believe until I got the official notice today. Your career path sounds quite similar to mine - I'm a full time ER doctor but spend easily 40 hours per week on research. I'm a Co-I on a Gates Foundation grant and CDC grant, and have submitted multiple R-level grants (unfunded so far) and also just resubmitted a K23 application.... it's hard to stay positive about research when getting so much bad news regarding grants recently.

Devastated doesn't even begin to describe how I'm feeling right now.... To all of you who received a rejection, I totally feel your pain and am so sorry about your disappointing news too. Would be happy to speak and commiserate with anyone further just DM me! So happy for all the people getting good news but I am wincing slightly every time I see a congratulations notice from LRP.... 🙁

Would be grateful to hear any advice from people who had to reapply, and how you improved your applications. Also what kind of feedback did you get from the program officers? The email I got today said, "It is the policy of the NIH not to release either the priority score or reviewer comments to LRP applicants. "
 
SokkaMD said:
@ManyAttempts - In the same boat. Just got my rejection notification today after being selected for financial review early May (first time extramural clinical research to NIAID/Fogarty) and got all my financial paperwork in within 2 days as I was so excited and so hopeful all summer. Saw my status revert to "Submitted" about a week ago and started thinking the worst but didn't want to believe until I got the official notice today. Your career path sounds quite similar to mine - I'm a full time ER doctor but spend easily 40 hours per week on research. I'm a Co-I on a Gates Foundation grant and CDC grant, and have submitted multiple R-level grants (unfunded so far) and also just resubmitted a K23 application.... it's hard to stay positive about research when getting so much bad news regarding grants recently.

Devastated doesn't even begin to describe how I'm feeling right now.... To all of you who received a rejection, I totally feel your pain and am so sorry about your disappointing news too. Would be happy to speak and commiserate with anyone further just DM me! So happy for all the people getting good news but I am wincing slightly every time I see a congratulations notice from LRP.... 🙁

Would be grateful to hear any advice from people who had to reapply, and how you improved your applications. Also what kind of feedback did you get from the program officers? The email I got today said, "It is the policy of the NIH not to release either the priority score or reviewer comments to LRP applicants. "
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First I want to say I am so so sorry and I completely understand what everyone is going through. I got rejected FOUR times and every time I asked for feedback I got it, but things were sometimes vague/not detailed (the biggest deciding factor was being PI on an external grant I feel). Sometimes I see folks get it on their first try, but that's rare. I really feel like this is a numbers game for most and some element of luck. Every time I asked for feedback (from clinical and health disparities) I was always told "plenty of people apply even 7 times" and to just keep trying. I believe I even saw this on the LRP twitter account (just keep trying). I think we are also dealing w/ decreased funding possibly and just really competitive pools of folks applying.

this is just my two cents, I can't speak for everyone and I know this may not help much, but I was there (4 times!) Hang in there!
 
ManyAttempts said:
I guess I have my answer - I wasn't funded after being selected for financial review. This is so distressing. I don't think I'm the most brilliant or productive academic ever... but I am a full-time researcher at a major university, I have submitted multiple NIH R applications (none funded yet though), I've published 20+ papers in the last 4 years, I'll publish a dozen papers this year, half of my papers are first author and most in good journals, I'm co-I on a federal grant, the comments on my last two LRPs were things like "this is a highly meritorious application with no notable weaknesses," and the PO last year said I was right "on the bubble." So, if 50% of LRPs are funded, am I really in the bottom half? I'm at a loss.
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I am sorry to hear that :-/. Can you reach out to the PO for some explicit feedback on your application? Sometimes a phone call might help (vs. writing). I'd also be happy to read the materials for your next submission (as I'm sure others on this site would be willing to do as well. I'm sure most of it is luck though, given how many good people apply. My fingers are crossed for you that you will get lucky next year!
 
Question for those of you who have had the NIH LRP before: what do you do about your regular monthly payments? It looks like NIH pays a large amount every few months. I am assuming the loan provider will just apply the balance to that month's bill, with the overage going to principal- is that correct? If so, did you all just keep paying in the months where NIH wasn't paying, or did you work out an agreement with your loan provider?
 
Hi all-
I have a current LRP award and am supposed to apply for a renewal this fall (they'll make my last payment July 2021). However, I'm just not sure it's going to happen this fall (having a baby)- is it okay to apply for the renewal next fall? Would that make my application look less favorable?
Thanks for the help.
 
Li34Ark said:
Question for those of you who have had the NIH LRP before: what do you do about your regular monthly payments? It looks like NIH pays a large amount every few months. I am assuming the loan provider will just apply the balance to that month's bill, with the overage going to principal- is that correct? If so, did you all just keep paying in the months where NIH wasn't paying, or did you work out an agreement with your loan provider?
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For my loans that are being paid by the LRP (all through Fedloan Servicing), they apply the quarterly payment across the months in a way that makes my owed balance $0. So I do not pay anything in the interim months, and I did not have to do anything to get this set up (it was automatic). For my loans that are not being paid off by the LRP, I continue to make monthly payments of course. I hope this helps!
 
Hello, have any awardees changed institutions with change in mentorship/research project? If so, can you share your experiences? The site says funding isn’t guaranteed, though I wanted to crowdsource some personal anecdotes. My Postdoc is ending and I’ll be transitioning to a faculty position at another university, so still non-profit. Thanks in advance!
 
Peds_PhD said:
Hello, have any awardees changed institutions with change in mentorship/research project? If so, can you share your experiences? The site says funding isn’t guaranteed, though I wanted to crowdsource some personal anecdotes. My Postdoc is ending and I’ll be transitioning to a faculty position at another university, so still non-profit. Thanks in advance!
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I've done this twice. It's very easy. If you reach out to the LRP folks they'll walk you through the process.
 
Did anyone applying to LRP this cycle receive the administrative loan verification process email?
 
did anyone's status change? if so via what institution is your grant?
 
nuttynut said:
did anyone's status change? if so via what institution is your grant?
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Nope, no email or status change yet. I'm assuming they're running behind due to COVID like everyone else. Hopefully soon!
 
No, but someone posted on Twitter on April 26 that their application status changed to selected for a new extramural pediatric research LRP
 
Randomly checked my portal this morning (Tues) and my application has changed to "Selected." NIMH Clinical Research LRP new applicant.

Edited: Received email from NIH late Weds night.
 
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