In fiscal year 2007, the projected funding level for the Contraception and Infertility Research LRP is $1,000,000, with a projected total of 22 contracts. The fiscal year 2007 Extramural LRP application period closed on December 15, 2006, and funding decisions will be made by August 2007. In fiscal year 2008, the projected funding level for the Contraception and Infertility Research LRP is $1,000,000, with a projected total of 22 contracts.

Uses and Use Restrictions

The assistance provided by the CIR-LRP is entirely of a financial nature in the form of loan repayments.

The monies provided by this program are restricted to the repayment of pre-existing, qualified loans procured by the participant for educational expenses incurred in the pursuit of undergraduate or graduate degrees.

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Eligibility Requirements

Applicant Eligibility

Applicants must be a U.S.

citizen (or U.S.

national or permanent resident) and a physician, Ph.D.-level scientist, nurse, physician's assistant, graduate student, or postgraduate research fellow training in the health professions.

You must commit to conduct contraception and infertility research for 50% of your time (at least 20 hours weekly based on a 40 hour week) for two years and it must be funded by a domestic nonprofit or U.S.

Government (Federal, state or local) entity.

Also, the research must not be prohibited by Federal law or NIH policy.

Complete eligibility information is available at http://www.lrp.nih.gov/about/lrp-contra.htm.

Beneficiary Eligibility

Assistance in the form of loan repayments will be made to qualified health professionals (including graduate students) who are participants in the CIR-LRP.

Credentials/Documentation

In order to be considered for selection into the CIR-LRP, eligible applicants must complete and submit the electronic application materials located at www.lrp.nih.gov, which include: (1) a Loan Verification Form for each loan to be considered for repayment; (2) an institutional statement providing assurance that the applicant will be engaged in employment/training at an NICHD intramural laboratory or in a qualified domestic nonprofit institution (tax-exempt under 26 USC 501), for not less than two years from the anticipated effective date of the NIH Loan Repayment Program Contract between the individual and NICHD (this assurance is conducted electronically); and (3) a signed NIH Loan Repayment Program Contract by which the applicant agrees to serve the obligated minimum period of two years conducting contraception and/or infertility research at an NICHD intramural laboratory or in a qualified domestic nonprofit institution (tax-exempt under 26 USC 501).

Aplication and Award Process

Preapplication Coordination

Information regarding the CIR-LRP and the preparation of forms for application to the CIR-LRP can be obtained by contacting the CIR-LRP headquarters office at the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, NIH, or via the World Wide Web at www.lrp.nih.gov.

This program is excluded from coverage under E.O.

12372.

Application Procedures

Qualified individuals interested in participating in the CIR-LRP should visit the NIH Loan Repayment Program Website at www.lrp.nih.gov for all application forms and requirements. The application will be evaluated by a Review Committee, convened for this purpose by the Division of Scientific Review, NICHD, NIH, HHS. In selecting applicants for participation in the CIR-LRP, the panel will consider eligibility status, quality of the applicant, and applicant's career plan focus. All selections are subject to final approval by the Director, NICHD. The NICHD will notify the sponsoring grantee institution and the applicant of the outcome of the review.

Award Procedures

Once the applicant is selected to participate in the CIR-LRP, the applicant and the Director, NICHD, as a designate of the Secretary of Health and Human Services, will sign a written binding contract stating the terms and conditions for participating in the CIR- LRP. The effective date of the contract will be the date it is signed by the Director, NICHD, or the date employment/training begins at an NICHD-funded Specialized Contraception or Infertility Research Center, whichever is later.

Deadlines

Applications can be received at the deadlines established and announced each year at http://www.lrp.nih.gov/.

Authorization

Public Health Service Act, 42 U.S.C. 288-2, Title IV (National Research Institutes), Part G (Awards and Training), Section 487B (Loan Repayment Program for Research with Respect to Contraception and Infertility), as amended by Public Law 105-392.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time

The selection process takes from 6 to 8 months following receipt of application.

Appeals

None.

Renewals

A CIR-LRP participant completing the initial 2-year period of obligated service conducting research with respect to contraception and/or infertility has an option to extend the obligatory period of service on an annual basis.

Assistance Considerations

Formula and Matching Requirements

None.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance

The CIR-LRP will pay equal quarterly payments to the lenders. Each payment will be made shortly after the end of each full quarter of satisfactory service.

Post Assistance Requirements

Reports

None.

Audits

None.

Records

None.

Financial Information

Account Identification

75-0897-0-1-552.

Obigations

(Direct Payments) FY 07 $1,000,000; FY 08 est $1,000,000; and FY 09 est not reported.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

In FY 06 the range of financial assistance was between $4,461 and $103,138. The average contract cost was $45,619.

Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature

The Notice of Proposed Rulemaking was approved by NIH on September 19, 2001, and by the Department of Health and Human Services on December 31, 2001.

Information Contacts

Regional or Local Office

None.

Headquarters Office

Dr. Eugene G. Hayunga, Deputy Director, Office of Extramural Policy, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, NIH, DHHS, Building 61E, Rm. 2C01, MSC-7510, Bethesda, MD 20892-7510. Telephone: (301) 435-6856; E-mail: ehayunga@mail.nih.gov .

Criteria for Selecting Proposals

Review criteria for CIR-LRP applications include: (1) Appropriateness of the applicant's previous training and experience as preparation for a career in contraception and infertility research; (2) Suitability of the applicant's proposed clinical research activities in the two-year period to foster a career in contraception and infertility research; (3) Assessment of the applicant's commitment to a research career as reflected by the personal statement of long-term career goals and the plan outlined to achieve those goals; (4) Strength of recommendations attesting to the applicant's potential for a career in contraception and/or infertility research; (5) Availability of appropriate scientific colleagues to achieve and/or enhance the applicant's research independence; and (6) Quality and appropriateness of institutional resources and facilities.