§ 288-5. Loan repayment program regarding clinical researchers from disadvantaged backgrounds
(a)
Implementation of program
(1)
In general
Subject to section
288
(a)(1)(C) of this title, the Secretary, acting through the Director of NIH may, subject to paragraph (2), carry out a program of entering into contracts with appropriately qualified health professionals who are from disadvantaged backgrounds under which such health professionals agree to conduct clinical research in consideration of the Federal Government agreeing to pay, for each year of such service, not more than $35,000 of the principal and interest of the educational loans of the health professionals.
(2)
Limitation
The Director of NIH may not enter into a contract with a health professional pursuant to paragraph (1) unless such professional has a substantial amount of education loans relative to income.
(3)
Applicability of certain provisions regarding obligated service
Except to the extent inconsistent with this section, the provisions of sections
254l–1,
254m and
254o of this title shall apply to the program established in paragraph (1) to the same extent and in the same manner as such provisions apply to the National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program established in section
254l–1 of this title.
(b)
Availability of authorization of appropriations
Amounts appropriated for a fiscal year for contracts under subsection (a) of this section shall remain available until the expiration of the second fiscal year beginning after the fiscal year for which the amounts were appropriated.