Ethics Topics

Outside Activities: Information on personal activities with outside organizations, including criteria for approval, prohibitions, forms, detailed instructions for submission, and review. Also included is information on the status of foreign entities, activities with private foundations, use of your official title, clearance requirements for Visa holders, and many other topics dealing with outside activities.
Official Duty Activities: Information and NIH policy to identify types of activities conducted as part of your official duty, and level of approval needed. Included are NIH Official Policy Documents, Approval Request of Official Duty Activity, Copyright and Declaration of Financial Interest Issues, and Additional Guidelines for Official Duty Activities With Outside Organizations.
Financial Disclosure: Information on the types of financial disclosure reports, who must file, when, and which forms.
- Public Financial Disclosure (OGE-278e and OGE-278-T)
- Confidential Financial Disclosure (OGE-450)
- Confidential Report of Financial Interests Substantially Affected Organizations (HHS-717-1).
- Additional information on Substantially Affected Organizations (SAOs) the pre-employment clearance process for individuals filling OGE-278e positions, equal classification of positions, and information about the STOCK Act may be found by following the respectve links.
Gifts: Learn about the occasions and value of gifts permitted between employees and from outside sources, including the permitted exceptions of awards, widely attended gatherings and free attendance, and honorary degrees, and information regarding gifts from foreign entities.
Resolving Conflicts of Interest: Information on recusal (disqualification), waivers, authorizations, regulatory exemptions, and how conflicts are resolved.
Miscellaneous Topics: Includes information on using a disclaimer with your signature, gambling, completing work for your prior employer, and "acts of self-dealing" (prohibited compensation from private foundations).
Participation in Grants/Collaboration: Guidance for intramural scientists for participating in an extramural grant, e.g., as advisor or consultant.
Political Activities and Hatch Act: Information on permitted and prohibited political activities and lobbying.
Procurement Integrity: Effect of the Procurement Integrity Act on employees with procurement responsibilities, both current and former employees.
Professional Organizations: Guidance fo NIH employees and representatives of professional organizations regarding NIH employees’ participation with such organizations.
Recommendation Letters: Details on when use of NIH letterhead is permitted, types of permitted and prohibited letters, and when you can use your NIH signature block.
Seeking Employment and Post-Employment Prohibitions: Guidance for when disqualification is required while seeking other employment, and restrictions on what you can do after you leave Federal service.
SGEs, IPAs and Contractors in the Workplace: Guidance for individuals working for NIH as Special Government Employees, Intergovernmental Personnel Act positions, and contractors. Also, requirements regarding reporting of IPA detailees and appointees to DECs.
Commissioned Officers: Information on multiple topics specific to Commissioned Officers, including specifically related ethics criteria and post employment restrictions.
FTE Clinical Fellows Engaging in Outside Professional Practice: NIH policy and procedure FTE Clinical Fellows who wish to engage in outside professional practice ("moonlighting").
Non-FTE Trainee Guidelines: NIH policy and procedure for non-FTE Trainees' activities with outside organizations (official, personal, awards).
HHS Office of the General Counsel, Ethics Division, Ethics Topics web page (HHS Intranet)

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