Research in Emerging Areas Critical to Human Health (REACH)
Section 487B of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 288-2) provides the NIH Director with direct authority to establish a new subcategory area under the Extramural Loan Repayment Program based on workforce and scientific priorities. The purpose of the REACH subcategory is to recruit and retain highly qualified health professionals into research careers:
- Where there are major gaps in biomedical and biobehavioral research; and/or
- To expand research in emerging areas critical to human health
REACH applicants are strongly encouraged to pay attention to the Institute or Center specific research priorities listed below, which are relevant to applications for a REACH LRP award in FY 2025 (Application Deadline: November 21, 2024). Applicants are also strongly encouraged to discuss their career interests with an NIH Institute or Center scientific liaison before applying.
Past statements are available for reference only.
FY 2024 statements
FY 2023 statements
FY 2022 statements
NIH Institute/Center | LRP Liaison |
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National Cancer Institute (NCI)The purpose of the Research in Emerging Areas Critical to Human Health (REACH) LRP is to recruit and retain highly qualified health professionals with doctoral-level degree(s) into research careers:
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Dr. Mark Damico |
National Eye Institute (NEI)The proposals dealing with innovative research to understand the eye and visual system, prevent and treat vision diseases, and expand opportunities for people who are visually impaired or require vision rehabilitation. The applications dealing with health disparities, data science, regenerative medicine, artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, and bioinformatics related to visual disorders and vision science are also encouraged under LRP initiative. |
Dr. Neeraj Agarwal [email protected] |
National Heart Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI)The NHLBI will support the REACH LRP for clinician scientists proposing research on any topic of strategic importance to NHLBI across its portfolio of heart, lung, blood, and sleep diseases and disorders. The research can span any stage along the research spectrum from basic science to late-stage translation and implementation science. Applications that qualify under other existing LRP programs supported by NHLBI are not responsive to this program. Candidates must hold a degree including, but not limited to M.D., Pharm. D., Psy.D., D.O., D.D.S., D.M.D., D.P.M., D.C., N.D., O.D., D.V.M., or equivalent doctoral-level degree from an accredited institution. Individuals with a Ph.D. or other equivalent doctoral degree in clinical disciplines such as clinical psychology, nursing, clinical genetics, speech-language pathology, audiology or rehabilitation are also eligible. Individuals holding a Ph.D. in a non-clinical discipline but who are certified to perform clinical duties should contact NHLBI to determine eligibility. |
Dr. Shilpy Dixit |
National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI)NHGRI will support genetic counselors at the master’s and doctoral levels who are involved in genomics research offering their intellectual expertise either as part of a team or as an independent researcher. The research focus must be toward advancing the science of genomic medicine and the incorporation of genomics in improving the effectiveness of health care. NHGRI is strongly committed to supporting genomics research that addresses health disparities. |
Ms. Heather Colley 301-402-0343 [email protected] |
National Institute on Aging (NIA)NIA will accept applications for the REACH LRP with aging-focused research projects on artificial intelligence, machine learning, robotics, management strategies for multiple chronic conditions, deprescribing, approaches to tele/virtual functional assessment, resilience, and geroscience-related interventions in older adults and aging populations. |
Dr. Sanoj Suneja 301-402-7710 [email protected] |
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)NIAAA supports research on alcohol use in several scientific areas including epidemiology and prevention, basic and clinical studies to identify mechanisms of organ and tissue damage and effects on brain systems and behavior, as well as research on behavioral and pharmacological approaches to treating alcohol-related problems and promoting recovery from alcohol use disorder. For the LRP-REACH program, NIAAA is particularly interested in investigators with basic science projects in the areas of metabolism and physiological and pathological health effects or neuroscience and behavior. Studies investigating biological mechanisms on the molecular, cellular and organ level are encouraged. Preclinical studies for the development of medications will also be considered. NIAAA will also support projects using computational and data science approaches in alcohol research, including developing new software applications or algorithms for analysis and integration of NIAAA and public data sets. Projects with computational or systems biology models of alcohol exposure on molecular, cellular, organ, network and organism models from initial alcohol exposure and extending through alcohol use disorder, treatment and recovery will be considered appropriate. |
Dr. Elizabeth Powell |
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)The mission of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) is to conduct and support basic and applied research to better understand, treat, and ultimately prevent infectious, immunologic, and allergic diseases. In addition, NIAID has a unique mandate which requires the Institute to respond to emerging public health threats. The NIAID will consider applications for the REACH LRP in the next fiscal year that fall within the Institute’s mission areas and do not meet the eligibility criteria for the Clinical, Pediatric, or Health Disparities subcategories as defined by the NIH LRP. |
Dr. Jyothi Arikkath Dr. LeShawndra Price 301-594-5945 [email protected] |
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS)NIAMS will accept applications from LRP-eligible current or past recipients of:
We will also accept applications that enhance diverse perspectives in the biomedical and behavioral sciences. See Notice of NIH’s Interest in Diversity, NOT OD-20-031. In addition, NIAMS will accept applications from all applicants in:
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Ms. Melinda Nelson 301-675-6746 [email protected] |
National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB)For the REACH LRP, NIBIB will accept applications that propose research within NIBIB’s interests but do not meet the research eligibility requirements for Clinical, Pediatric or Health Disparities as defined by the Loan Repayment Program at www.lrp.nih.gov/apply. NIBIB’s interests include the development and integration of advanced bioengineering, sensing, imaging, and computational technologies for the improvement of human health and medical care. NIBIB encourages applications from researchers from diverse backgrounds, including those from groups underrepresented in the biomedical and behavioral sciences (see Notice of NIH’s Interest in Diversity, NOT-OD-20-031). Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact the NIBIB LRP Liaison before they begin to prepare their application https://www.lrp.nih.gov/contact-engage. |
Dr. Tina Gatlin |
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD)NICHD will consider funding applications for the REACH LRP that (1) do not meet the research project eligibility requirements for any of the other LRP programs supported by NICHD, (2) do meet all other LRP eligibility requirements, and (3) are submitted by applicants whose research efforts will pursue one or more Priority topics listed at the web pages for NICHD’s extramural branches or that of the National Center for Medical Rehabilitation Research and (4) cite the Priority topic(s) they will pursue and the URL of the NICHD web page on which those topics appear. |
Dr. Steve Kaufman [email protected] |
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD)Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact NIDCD before submitting an application and provide a 1-page statement addressing each REACH LRP objectives and NIDCD priorities listed below. LRP-REACH Objective
NIDCD Priorities
|
Dr. Alberto Rivera-Rentas 301-451-3245 [email protected] |
National institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR)A high priority for the NIDCR is developing and sustaining a robust dentist-scientist research workforce. The dentist-scientist research workforce is vital for the expertise it brings to identifying important clinical questions that drive basic discoveries, enhancing diagnostic and therapeutic approaches, and improving dental, oral and craniofacial health. The intent of the NIDCR REACH is to provide an opportunity for dentist-scientists, whose research is in areas outside of the NIH clinical, pediatric or health disparities LRP research programs. The REACH program will accept applications from dentist-scientists performing oral health research that align with the NIDCR Extramural Grant Programs and do not meet the eligibility criteria for the NIH Clinical, Clinical for Disadvantaged Backgrounds, Pediatric, or Health Disparities Loan Repayment Programs. |
Dr. Rachel Michelle Sare 301-496-4263 [email protected] |
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)NIDDK will accept applications for the REACH LRP that are within the mission of NIDDK but do not meet the research eligibility requirements for Clinical, Pediatric or Health Disparities as defined by the Loan Repayment Program at www.lrp.nih.gov/apply |
Dr. David Saslowsky 301-594-8876 [email protected] |
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)NIDA will be accepting LRP REACH applications for each of the following categories:
For eligibility questions please visit lrp.nih.gov or contact NIDAs LRP office at [email protected]. |
Dr. Lindsey Friend 301-402-1428 [email protected] |
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS)For the purposes of the REACH LRP, applications in the following emerging areas and/or sub-areas will be prioritized:
NIEHS makes its funding decisions based on scientific merit responsiveness to the Institute's priorities and availability of funds. |
Ms. Astrid Haugen, M.S.E.H. 984-287-3266 [email protected] |
National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)NIGMS will only accept REACH LRP applications from individuals who meet the following criteria:
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Dr. Shannon Doyle [email protected] |
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)The NIMH REACH LRP will only accept applications from investigators with clinically oriented degrees who are licensed to practice medicine and conduct basic research aligned with NIMH’s strategic plan, and/or from applicants who have received the following NIH/NIMH awards:
Applications that qualify under other existing LRP programs supported by NIMH are not responsive to this program. |
Dr. Mark Chavez 301-443-8942 [email protected] |
National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD)For the Research in Emerging Areas Critical to Human Health (REACH) program, NIMHD supports applications in the following areas:
|
LCDR Michael Banyas, USPHS, M.P.A., M.A. (candidate) |
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)NINDS encourages LRP applications from any individual who is conducting research within the NINDS mission that
General NINDS priorities and policies regarding the LRP can be found at https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Funding/Apply-Funding/Loan-Repayment-Programs. |
Dr. Letitia Weigand 301-496-4188 [email protected] |
National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR)The mission of the National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR) is to lead nursing research to solve pressing health challenges and inform practice and policy– optimizing health and advancing health equity into the future. NINR will give priority to applicants from any discipline with a clear commitment to discovering solutions to health challenges through the lenses of health equity, social determinants of health, population and community health, prevention and health promotion, and systems and models of care. NINR encourages applications from investigators from diverse backgrounds, including those from groups underrepresented in biomedical sciences (see Notice of NIH’s Interest in Diversity, NOT-OD-20-031). |
Dr. Libbey Bowen 301-496-9022 [email protected] |
National Library of Medicine (NLM)NLM will accept applications for the REACH LRP that are Informatics/Data Science-focused research projects that do not meet the research eligibility requirements for Clinical, Pediatric or Health Disparities as defined by the LRP, and apply artificial intelligence, machine learning, or use of big data to a health-related domain. |
Dr. Richard Palmer 301-496-4254 [email protected] |
John E. Fogarty International Center (FIC)FIC promotes and supports scientific research and training internationally to broadly advance global health. FIC will support the REACH LRP for scientists proposing research in World Bank-classified low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) on any topic of strategic importance to FIC, at any stage along the research spectrum from basic science to late-stage translation and implementation science. Apply to the NIH institute or center that most closely aligns with your area of research. FIC cannot be listed as the primary institution on applications but can be listed as a secondary institution. FIC is looking for applicants whose research is consistent with the mission of the Center. Candidates must hold a degree including, but not limited to Ph.D., M.D., Pharm. D., Psy.D., D.O., D.D.S., D.M.D., D.P.M., D.C., N.D., O.D., D.V.M., or equivalent doctoral-level degree from an accredited institution. Selection priority is given to current and former FIC trainees and grantees. |
Dr. Brad Newsome 301-480-8389 [email protected] |
National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS)NCATS will support investigators at the master’s and doctoral levels with expertise in:
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Dr. David Wilde 301-435-0790 [email protected] |
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)NCCIH accepts applications to the Clinical Research, Pediatric Research, Health Disparities Research, and REACH Loan Repayment Programs. NCCIH’s mission is to define, through rigorous scientific investigation, the usefulness and safety of complementary and integrative health interventions and their roles in improving health and health care. All applications must be aligned to NCCIH's mission research priorities and strategic plan. Specific for the REACH LRP, NCCIH’s specific interest include the following:
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Dr. Jennifer N. Baumgartner 301-402-4084 [email protected] |
Office of Research Infrastructure Programs (ORIP)Apply to the NIH institute or center that most closely aligns with your area of research. ORIP cannot be listed as the primary institution but can be listed as a secondary institution on new applications. For the REACH loan repayment program, ORIP supports applicants with the D.V.M./V.M.D. or equivalent degree that use animal models to pursue major gaps in biomedical and biobehavioral research and expand research in emerging areas critical to human health. Proposed research investigations must be applicable to the interests of two or more of the categorical NIH Institutes and Centers. In addition, projects that predominantly address the research interests of one NIH Institute or Center, but that are peripherally related to the research interests of other Institutes and Centers, will not be considered appropriate. An example of an inappropriate request is one exclusively involving an animal model of cancer or some other specific disease. Plans for translation of basic research to clinical use would be an essential component of REACH awards supported by ORIP. |
Dr. Ritesh Tandon 301-594-5304 [email protected] |
Office of Research on Women's Health (ORWH)ORWH focuses on advancing research that is relevant to the health of women and supporting women in biomedical careers. Applicants should ensure their proposed work intersects with the goals, objectives, and guiding principles of the trans-NIH Strategic Plan for Women’s Health Research. ORWH does not award grants but co-funds applications and research projects that have received an award from one of the participating NIH Institutes and Centers listed in the announcement. Visit the ORWH website or contact the appropriate ORWH staff to learn more. For future communications, please reach out to Dr. Carolyn Bondar who will be the scientific program contact of ORWH to this working group. |
Dr. Carolyn Bondar |