What is the United States National Academies?
Q: What is the United States National Academies?
A: The United States National Academies is the scientific national academy of the United States, comprising of the National Academy of Sciences (NAS), National Academy of Engineering (NAE), Institute of Medicine (IOM), and National Research Council (NRC).
Q: What is the membership of the National Academy of Sciences (NAS), National Academy of Engineering (NAE), and Institute of Medicine (IOM)?
A: The NAS, NAE, and IOM are honorary membership organizations with a total membership of over 6,000 scientists, engineers, and health professionals.
Q: How are new members elected for each organization?
A: New members for each organization are elected annually by current members, based on their distinguished and continuing achievements in original research.
Q: What is the NRC and what is its purpose?
A: The NRC is called the "working arm" of the Academies, which serves to collect, analyze, and share information through studies and reports.
Q: Do the National Academies perform original research?
A: No. The National Academies do not perform original research; rather they provide independent advice.
Q: Who enlists top experts to address important scientific and technical problems?
A: The National Academies enlist top scientists, engineers, health professionals, and other experts to address important scientific and technical problems.
Q: Who are the primary financial sponsors of the Academies' work?
A: Federal agencies are the primary financial sponsors of the Academies' work; additional studies are funded by state agencies, foundations, other private sponsors, and the National Academies endowment.
