About Us
Who We Are
Created to Advise the Nation
The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (The National Academies) provide independent, objective advice to inform policy with evidence, spark progress and innovation, and confront challenging issues for the benefit of society. Learn more about our history.
As the operating and principal programmatic arm of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, the National Research Council has established these guiding principles:
Our Vision
A nation and a world that rely on scientific evidence to make decisions that benefit humanity.
Our Mission
The National Academies provide independent, trustworthy advice and facilitate solutions to complex challenges by mobilizing expertise, practice, and knowledge in science, engineering, and medicine.
Our Core Values
Independence, Objectivity, Rigor, Integrity, Inclusivity, Truth
As separate operating units, the National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Engineering, and the National Academy of Medicine have crafted mission, vision, and values statements informed by their members and specific to their disciplines. You can find them on their websites, linked at the bottom of this page.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Statement and Guiding Principles
The National Academies value diversity among our staff, members, volunteers, partners, vendors, and audiences. We recognize that talent is broadly distributed in society and that many perspectives enhance the quality of our work and drive innovation and impact. We pledge to cultivate a workplace culture and climate that promotes inclusion, belonging, accessibility, and anti-racism; upholds equity; and values the participation of all who are engaged in advancing our mission. Read the entire DEI Statement and Guiding Principles.
Our Leadership
Learn more about the presidents of our three Academies and our executive team. Each Academy is governed by its own council elected from the Academy's membership. The National Research Council, the operating arm of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, is overseen by a governing board that consists councilors from each of the three Academies.
Our Members
Members are elected to the NAS, NAE, or NAM in recognition of outstanding achievements, and membership is considered one of the highest professional honors. Among the world's most distinguished scientists, engineers, and health care professionals, our members are essential to the work we do.
Our Volunteers
Each year, approximately 6,000 top experts in their fields — including but not limited to members of the Academies — volunteer their time and extensive knowledge to conduct our policy studies, workshops, symposia, and other activities.
The work of the private, nonprofit National Academies is grounded in the expertise of our three academies — the National Academy of Sciences (NAS), National Academy of Engineering (NAE), and National Academy of Medicine (NAM). Most of this work is conducted through seven major program areas of the National Academies.
Our Strategic Plan
A new strategic plan for the National Research Council — the operating and principal programmatic arm of the National Academies — sets the vision, mission, core values, and strategic goals to guide our institution over the next five years (2021-2026). They lay the foundation for the actions we are taking to build a more proactive, innovative, and efficient approach to our work.
Give to the Academies
Although many of our activities are requested and funded by Congress and federal agencies, we do not receive direct appropriations from the federal government. Foundations, the private sector, and philanthropy from individuals enable us to address critical issues on behalf of the nation.
What We Do
We marshal knowledge and expertise across disciplines to study complex and sometimes contentious issues, reach consensus based on the evidence, and identify the best path forward. Learn about our projects as well as our institutional policies, and procedures.
Trusted Advice
Each year, thousands of the world’s leading experts serve pro bono on study committees that address some of society's toughest challenges. This rigorous process produces independent, objective publications that present the evidence-based consensus on these issues.
Convening Power
We advance the conversation around critical issues facing the U.S. and the world, gathering leading thinkers to share the latest research and explore new ideas and solutions.
Global Partnerships
We collaborate with colleagues from around the world to spur international dialogue on issues that transcend borders.
For Sponsors
Inform your decisions with the best available evidence, evaluated by leading experts in science, engineering, and medicine. Learn more about the wide variety of projects, products, and activities the National Academies provide.
Champions of the Research Enterprise
We honor excellence in science, engineering, and medicine, and pursue efforts to strengthen these fields. Learn about the many awards and fellowships given out by our organization.
Journals and Periodicals
Our prestigious journals and periodicals such as the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, PNAS Nexus, Issues in Science and Technology, and Transportation Research Record publish the latest scientific findings and examine a wide range of topics.