Is there a fee associated with using the Speakers Bureau?

No. Speakers made available through the NIH Speakers Bureau do this as part of their official duties at the NIH. Federal employees may not receive an honorarium (or other fee) for work that is done as a part of their official duty and responsibility. A speech given after business hours or on weekends is still considered part of the employees' official duty and no compensation may be accepted. If the employee speaks on a topic other than his/her current official work, he/she may accept compensation and the give the speech on their (the employees') own time, i.e. the employee must be on approved leave.

How far in advance should I request a speaker?
	You should request the speaker four to six weeks in advance. Speakers have full time jobs and can only schedule speaking requests if the request does not interfere with their official responsibilities. They must have adequate time to obtain advance approval for their presentations.

Who pays for the speaker's travel expenses?

If you are requesting a speaker to travel outside the Washington, DC, metropolitan area, you or your organization must pay for all travel expenses of the speaker. Such travel is accomplished through the "Sponsored Travel" mechanism, which requires sufficient time for the employee to obtain advance approval. Sometimes the requested speaker may have official responsibilities which may affect your organization, causing a conflict. The requested speaker may consult with appropriate staff to determine whether the conflict hinders the ability for you to pay travel expenses.

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