The concept of the NIH Scientist
Emeritus was introduced by the Scientific Directors in 1974 for
distinguished scientists who wish to retire, but still maintain
ongoing working relationships at NIH. In 1985 the Board of Scientific
Directors recommended that the appointment mechanism for retiring
scientists be simplified in order to facilitate use by the ICs. In
2006 the definition was modified to clarify that the scientist should
have been independent, is retired from the NIH, and also retired from
any biomedically-related employment.
The Scientist Emeritus is generally appointed as a Special Volunteer
and provided with a preferential (red) parking permit, a library
card, telephone directory listing, email address, mailbox and NIH
address. The Scientist Emeritus may receive additional resources
that might include office space, a computer, support for manuscript
typing, and/or access to copying services.
Recommendation for approval of the intramural Scientist Emeritus is
made by the full Board of Scientific Directors to the Deputy Director
for Intramural Research (DDIR). The recommendation is initiated by a
recommending memorandum from the IC Scientific Director, through the
IC Director, to the DDIR. The memorandum should specify the resources
that would be provided to the Scientist Emeritus. The
case is submitted by the recommending IC to the Office of Intramural
Research for scheduling at a Board of Scientific Directors Meeting.
At the meeting the case is defended by the recommending Scientific
Director, voted upon by the full Board, and, if highly recommended,
is approved by signature of the DDIR.
Click here for the Scientist Emeritus appointment Check Sheet