This authority allows individuals to conduct their own research at NIH, if it does not involve service to NIH or the NIH preceptor. Guest Researchers use NIH facilities in an collaborative arrangement. This authority may apply to university, industry, or other outside scientists, who will not be performing any service for NIH, as well as by definition to Howard Hughes Medical Institute Research Scholars and the National Research Council NIH Research Associates.

The following positions would NOT be eligible for the Guest Researcher appointment authority: NRSAs, Visiting Fellows, Fogarty Scholars, IRTA Fellows, International Research Fellows, and scientists on an IPA.

Guest Researchers are NOT covered under the Federal Tort Claims Act.

Training - Training for Guest Researchers may NOT be paid with NIH funds. Guest Researchers may attend certain NIH-sponsored training activities provided that space is available and that their attendance does not deny a Government employee the training opportunity. A Guest Researcher must demonstrate the job relatedness of such training.

The Volunteer authority may be used to appoint postdoctoral investigators who are supported by outside grants. Another use of the volunteer authority would include the appointment of a citizen with leisure time who volunteers for service at NIH without compensation, such as a retired Federal employee who volunteers for service without compensation, or a Federal employee who volunteers in off-hours for service not associated with normal assigned duties. Also covered is an employee of a for-profit company on sabbatical or leave of absence, who works at NIH under a formal agreement with the employer (as long as the agreement specifies that the volunteer is not carrying out obligations for the employer).

All persons associated with NIH, paid or unpaid, must behave ethically and avoid activities that would create a conflict of interest or might embarrass NIH. Guest Researchers and Special Volunteers should seek approval of outside activities only in those instances where potential for conflict of interest exists.

Outside Activity Policy

"The Guest Researcher or Special Volunteer, while associated with the NIH, will conform to all applicable administrative instructions and requirements of the Department of Health and Human Services and the NIH, including all ethical precepts, safety regulations and procedures, and avoidance of activities that involve a conflict of interest. When the Guest Researcher/Volunteer contemplates a form of outside activity that he/she or the supervisor believes has potential of creating a conflict of interest , a "Request for Approval of Outside Activity" (HHS Form 520) should be submitted through normal channels so that the proposed activity may receive advanced review and approval or disapproval."

Scientific Directors Minutes, 11/05/86

Revised
"Though Guest Researchers, Special Volunteers, and Visiting Fellows are not required to secure advance approval for outside work, they are expected to refrain from activities which involve a real or apparent conflict of interest, or which might embarrass the NIH."

Scientific Directors Minutes, 12/02/87