Describe the ethics procedures for an NIH employee to accept an honorary degree and free attendance at a widely attended gathering. Specify the required forms, initial submission steps, and approval routing process for each, noting any electronic submission systems mentioned on the NIH Ethics Program website.
Navigate to the 'Ethics Procedures' page on ethics.od.nih.gov. Locate the 'Honorary Degree' section under 'Gift Exceptions'. Identify the form name and number required for honorary degree approval. Describe the initial submission steps and the approval routing process for the honorary degree request, including any electronic submission details. Locate the 'Free Attendance using the Widely Attended Gathering (WAG) Exception' section. Identify the form name and number required for individual WAG exception approval. Describe the initial requirement for WAG exception acceptance and its submission/routing process, including electronic submission details. Synthesize the information for both scenarios, highlighting forms, submission, and approval routing.
State that form NIH-2855 is required for honorary degree approval. Explain that for an honorary degree, the signed NIH-2855 and notification letter are forwarded to the supervisor, then to the IC ethics office, and finally to the Deputy Ethics Counselor for decision. Note that honorary degree submission will be electronic via NEES when available. State that acceptance of free attendance at a WAG requires advance approval. Identify form NIH-2803 as required for individual WAG requests. Explain that for individual WAGs, form NIH-2803 is submitted electronically via NEES with an invitation attached, routed to the supervisor, then to the IC Ethics Office, and the Deputy Ethics Counselor makes the determination, with notification via email from NEES. Do not require logging into NEES or submitting any forms.