About the NAS
We envision a nation and world in which people understand science to be foundational in their lives and recognize National Academy of Sciences leadership in promoting science for public good.
Mission
Our mission is:
Recognizing and elevating outstanding science
Fostering the broad understanding of science
Overseeing the National Research Council in producing and promoting the adoption of independent, authoritative, trusted scientific advice for the benefit of society
Leadership
The National Academy of Sciences is governed by a 17-member Council elected from among the Academy membership.
The National Academy of Sciences is governed by a 17-member Council, which includes five officers and 12 councilors elected from among the Academy membership. Its staff is headed by the NAS Executive Officer.
Officers
President
Marcia McNutt
National Academy of Sciences
Term expires: June 30, 2026
Vice President
Susan Wessler
Neil and Rochelle Campbell Chair for Innovation in Science Education
University of California, Riverside
Term expires: June 30, 2029
Home Secretary
Nancy C. Andrews
Professor in Residence in Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School,
Executive Vice President & Chief Scientific Officer
Boston Children's Hospital
Term expires: June 30, 2027
International Secretary
John G. Hildebrand
Regents Professor Emeritus
Department of Neuroscience, College of Science
University of Arizona
Term expires: June 30, 2026
Treasurer
William H. Press
Warren J. and Viola M. Raymer Professor
Departments of Computer Sciences and Integrative Biology
The University of Texas at Austin
Term expires: June 30, 2028
Councilors
Wendy L. Freedman
John & Marion Sullivan University Professor
of Astronomy & Astrophysics
Department of Astronomy & Astrophysics
The University of Chicago
Term expires: June 30, 2027
Katherine H. Freeman
Evan Pugh University Professor
Department of Geosciences
The Pennsylvania State University
Term expires: June 30, 2026
Susan A. Gelman
Heinz Werner Distinguished University Professor
of Psychology and Linguistics
Department of Psychology
University of Michigan
Term expires: June 30, 2027
Angela M. Gronenborn
UPMC Rosalind Franklin Professor and Chair
Department of Structural Biology
University of Pittsburgh
Term expires: June 30, 2025
Mary Lou Guerinot
Ronald and Deborah Harris Professor in the Sciences
Department of Biological Sciences
Dartmouth College
Term expires: June 30, 2026
Brigid L. M. Hogan
Professor
Department of Cell Biology
Duke University School of Medicine
Term expires: June 30, 2027
Andrea J. Liu
Director, Center for Soft and Living Matter
Hepburn Professor of Physics
Department of Physics and Astronomy
University of Pennsylvania
Term expires: June 30, 2025
David J. Meltzer
Henderson-Morrison Professor and Director,
QUEST Archaeological Research Program
Department of Anthropology
Southern Methodist University
Term expires: June 30, 2025
Carol L. Prives
Professor of Biology
Department of Biological Sciences
Columbia University
Term expires: June 30, 2026
Gene E. Robinson
Maybelle Leland Swanlund Endowed Chair, Center for Advanced Study, Professor of Entomology and Neuroscience, Director, Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Term expires: June 30, 2025
Karen C. Seto
Frederick C. Hixon Professor of Geography
and Urbanization Science
Yale University
School of the Environment
Term expires: June 30, 2027
Michael S. Witherell
Laboratory Director
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
Term expires: June 30, 2026
Staff
Ken Fulton
Executive Officer
National Academy of Sciences
Organization
The NAS was established in 1863 as a private, nongovernmental institution. The National Academy of Engineering was established in 1964 and the National Academy of Medicine (formerly the Institute of Medicine) in 1970, both under under the NAS charter. The NAS established the National Research Council in 1916 to broaden the range of disciplines necessary for its advisory role. The Academies work together as the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine.
The National Academy of Sciences was established in 1863 by an Act of Congress, signed by President Lincoln, as a private, nongovernmental institution to advise the nation on issues related to science and technology. Members are elected by their peers for outstanding contributions to research. Dr. Marcia McNutt is president.
The National Academy of Engineering was established in 1964 under the charter of the National Academy of Sciences to bring the practices of engineering to advising the nation. Members are elected by their peers for extraordinary contributions to engineering. Dr. John L. Anderson is president.
The National Academy of Medicine (formerly the Institute of Medicine) was established in 1970 under the charter of the National Academy of Sciences to advise the nation on medical and health issues. Members are elected by their peers for distinguished contributions to medicine and health. Dr. Victor J. Dzau is president.
The National Research Council was established by presidential Executive Order in 1916 to expand the expertise available to the NAS in fulfilling the mission of its Congressional charter. Today, the three Academies work together as the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to provide independent, objective analysis and advice to the nation and conduct other activities to solve complex problems and inform public policy decisions. The National Academies also encourage education and research, recognize outstanding contributions to knowledge, and increase public understanding in matters of science, engineering, and medicine. This statement by the NAS Council affirms the organization’s core principles of objectivity, independence, and excellence.
NAS Favicon
National Academy of Sciences (NAS)
President: Marcia McNutt
Executive Officer: Kenneth R. Fulton
NAE_Bridge_TM_PMS288-Dec2019
National Academy of Engineering (NAE)
President: John L. Anderson
Executive Officer: Alton D. Romig, Jr.
nam
National Academy of Medicine (NAM)
President: Victor J. Dzau
Executive Officer: J. Michael McGinnis
National Research Council
Chair: Marcia McNutt
Vice Chair: John L. Anderson
Vice Chair: Victor J. Dzau
Executive Officer: Gregory Symmes
Executive Director: Maureen Mellody
Program Divisions
Division on Behavioral and Social Sciences and Education (DBASSE)
Chair: Michael Hout
Executive Director: Carlotta M. Arthur
Division on Earth and Life Studies (DELS)
Chair: Catherine E. Woteki
Executive Director: Elizabeth Eide
Division on Engineering and Physical Sciences (DEPS)
Chair: Julia M. Phillips
Executive Director: Tina Bahadori
Health and Medicine Divison (HMD)
Chair: Alan Leshner
Executive Director: Monica N. Feit
Division on Policy and Global Affairs (PGA)
Chair: Karen C. Seto
Executive Director: Vaughan Turekian
Transportation Research Board (TRB)
Division Chair: Chris T. Hendrickson
Executive Director: Victoria Sheehan
Gulf Research Program (GRP)
Chair: David E. Daniel
Executive Director: Lauren Alexander Augustine
Frequently Asked Questions
Organization and Leadership
How was the NAS established?
The NAS was established by an Act of Congress, which was signed by President Abraham Lincoln in 1863. At its founding, the Academy membership was made up of forty-nine scientists selected from the several states remaining in the Union.
Is the NAS a government agency?
No, the NAS is a private, non-profit society of distinguished scholars. The NAS is charged with providing independent, objective advice to the nation on matters related to science and technology. Scientists are elected by their peers to membership in the NAS for outstanding contributions to research. The NAS is committed to furthering science in America, and its members are active contributors to the international scientific community.
Who is the president of the NAS?
Marcia McNutt has served as the president since July 1, 2016. Her current term ends on June 30, 2026.
Membership
How many members are elected each year?
Currently, a maximum of 120 members may be elected annually. Members must be U.S. citizens; non-citizens are elected as international members, with a maximum of 30 elected annually.
Can I apply for membership?
Members are elected to the National Academy of Sciences in recognition of their distinguished and continuing achievements in original research. Because membership is achieved by election, there is no membership application process.
How are members elected?
Consideration of a candidate begins with his or her nomination, followed by an extensive and careful vetting process that results in a final ballot at the Academy’s annual meeting in April each year.
Can I obtain a mailing list of your members?
No, the NAS does not sell its membership lists.
Membership Overview
Members are elected to the National Academy of Sciences in recognition of their distinguished and continuing achievements in original research. Membership is a widely accepted mark of excellence in science and is considered one of the highest honors that a scientist can receive. Current NAS membership totals approximately 2,700 members and 500 international members, of which approximately 200 have received Nobel prizes.
Becoming a Member
Because membership is achieved by election, there is no membership application process. Although many names are suggested informally, only Academy members may submit formal nominations. Consideration of a candidate begins with his or her nomination, followed by an extensive and careful vetting process that results in a final ballot at the Academy’s annual meeting in April each year. Currently, a maximum of 120 members may be elected annually. Members must be U.S. citizens; non-citizens are elected as international members, with a maximum of 30 elected annually.
Members are affiliated with a section (scientific discipline) in one of six Classes:
Physical and Mathematical Sciences
Biological Sciences
Engineering and Applied Sciences
Biomedical Sciences
Behavioral and Social Sciences
Applied Biological, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences
Careers
Career Opportunities
Join us and let your talents make a difference. Our Careers Page provides information about careers at the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine and a list of job openings.
Fellowships
The National Academies administer a diverse portfolio of fellowship programs. Visit our Fellowships Page for a complete list of opportunities and details on eligibility guidelines and application deadlines. Some of our fellowship opportunities:
Christine Mirzayan Science & Technology Policy Graduate Fellowship Program:
A program designed to engage graduate science, engineering, medical, veterinary, business, and law students in the analysis and creation of science and technology policy and to familiarize them with the interactions of science, technology, and government.
Research Associateship Programs:
Postdoctoral and senior research awards sponsored by federal laboratories at more than 100 locations in the United States and overseas. Awards are given for the purpose of conducting research chosen by the doctoral-level scientists and engineers to apply their special knowledge and research talents to research areas that are of interest to them and to the host laboratories and centers.
Ford Foundation Fellowship Program:
Increases the diversity of the nation’s college and university faculties by increasing their ethnic and racial diversity, to maximize the educational benefits of diversity, and to increase the number of professors who can and will use diversity as a resource for enriching the education of all students.
Jefferson Science Fellows at the U.S. Department of State:
Open to U.S. citizens who are tenured, or similarly ranked, faculty from U.S. institutions of higher learning. Jefferson Science Fellows serve for one year at the U.S. Department of State or U.S. Agency for International Development as science advisors on foreign policy issues.
Career Resources
The National Academies have published several reports related to career planning, including a series of publications ranking U.S. doctoral programs in several different disciplines. Other topics include scientific ethics and the experiences of women in science, engineering, and medicine. Links to these resources are available online; report PDFs can be downloaded at no charge.
Contact Information
500 Fifth Street, NW
Washington, DC 20001
202.334.2000
Permissions
To request permission to reprint information published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, please contact PNASpermissions@nas.edu. For permission to reprint information from a National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine report, contact the National Academies Press. To download or purchase a National Academies report, visit www.nap.edu.
Membership
NAS membership is achieved by election, and there is no membership application process. For information about NAS members, refer to the overview on our website. The NAS does not sell its mailing lists or provide data files.
National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine
Please note that the National Academy of Sciences is not a grant-making institution and cannot respond to requests for funding, nor does the NAS respond to individual requests for the review or evaluation of research. Our staff cannot answer medical questions of a personal nature, such as questions about specific medications or treatments. We suggest that you contact a physician who can guide you. Contact staff of the National Academies online.
Regarding Zhengxianling - China's first pan - international talent recruitment platform
Zhengxianling is developed and operated by Shanghai Yuntong Information Technology Co., Ltd. The company mainly provides international services such as talent job-seeking and recruitment, recruitment and introduction of high-level talents / science and technology innovation-related talents (Overseas Excellent Young Talents, QM Plan, online and offline job fairs, campus recruitment, social recruitment, online recruitment, headhunting, etc.), academic exchanges, and software development. In due time, we will launch language platforms and APPs in AI English, Korean, Japanese, French, German, etc. to meet the needs of global users. Up to now, the company has established communication channels with national ministries and commissions such as the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security and the Ministry of Science and Technology, talent offices of the Organization Departments of some provincial and municipal Party committees, departments of human resources and social security, industry and information technology, science and technology, trade unions, chambers of commerce, academic societies, associations, 985 and 211 universities in various regions across the country, HRs of some enterprises, the International Academician Consortium, the United Nations Science and Technology Commission WDTA, and some international institutions in countries such as Russia, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, New Zealand, Australia, the Netherlands, Germany, the United Kingdom, France, the United States, Canada, and QS World's top 100 universities (MIT, Oxford, the University of Melbourne...).
Service items are as follows:
A. Recruitment and introduction of international high-level / science and technology innovation-related talents (doctors, post-doctors, academicians) (online and offline job fairs, campus recruitment, social recruitment, online recruitment, headhunting, etc.), overseas enterprise study tours, academic exchanges, and software development.
B. Operation of Zhengxianling® (The types of talents on the platform and official account are not limited).
Service-supported regions:
China, South Korea, Japan, Russia, Singapore, New Zealand, Australia, the Netherlands, Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Hungary, Italy, the United States, Canada, etc. (covering more than 100 countries and regions).
Main service content: Online and offline special high-level talent job fairs for cities, parks, and employers, talent-introduction activities related to science and technology innovation (project solicitation, screening, roadshow... implementation, etc.), investment promotion, academic exchange conferences, online job-seeking and recruitment, and offline services are available in the above-mentioned designated countries.
In the past 2024, we have successively joined the Hubei Chushang Federation in China and the World Federation of Inventors' Associations [IFIA], and have established the grand goal of building Zhengxianling into China's first pan-international talent recruitment platform (Language platforms and APPs in AI English, Korean, Japanese, French, German, etc. will be launched in due time. The establishment of the International HRD (HR) Alliance is in progress), and in the future, it will serve billions of users in more than 200 countries around the world. As of December 31, 2024, we have received a reply from the chairman of the United Nations Science and Technology Commission WDTA, welcoming Yuntong Technology and Zhengxianling to join the cooperation of the United Nations Science and Technology Commission WDTA in 2025. Starting from 2025, we will cooperate with the International Academician Consortium and may participate in activities such as the FCPAE (Federation of Chinese Professionals in Europe) European Forum to facilitate international talent exchanges and cooperation, thereby promoting scientific and technological innovation, driving employment, serving global economic construction, and promoting friendly cross-border cooperation to create a better future. Thus, we can better serve users from all over the world.
The Chinese full name of IFIA: World Federation of Inventors' Associations. Its headquarters are located in Geneva, Switzerland, and San Francisco, the United States. In February 2024, after being reviewed and approved by the 47th Global Executive Committee of IFIA, Shanghai Yuntong Information Technology Co., Ltd. [Zhengxianling] joined the organization. For details, please refer to the official website of IFIA:
https://www.ifia.com/ifia-47th-executive-committee-meeting-held-on-feb-2024/
Our company's recruitment platform will officially launch a paid service starting from February 1, 2025. For details, please refer to:
https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/YmOxE1snwAAvskZgwm5RxA
Currently, we are organizing online and offline special job fairs for high-level talents of international organizations. For details of the event, please refer to the push article on the schedule plan of the international high-level talent recruitment activities of Zhengxianling®:
https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/UGfNhxHRoIs1KZF7Thsfxg
Zhengxianling® recruits a large number of overseas high-level talents and innovative talents all year round. For details, please refer to the official account introduction:
https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/8YaCD8xaXiDeC93a1foUKQ
Regarding the invitation letter for the initiation of the International HRD (HR) Alliance, please refer to the official account introduction:
https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/fdg6QB82KAJCeTi0VZVZKQ
We welcome HRs of employers from all over the world, heads of universities and research institutes, academic leaders, young doctors / post-doctors / academicians and other talents to contact us or register to join our platform，The talents we recruit will be preferentially recommended to work in universities, research institutions and other units in China or various countries around the world.
