"... the Academy shall, whenever called upon by any department of the Government, investigate, examine, experiment, and report upon any subject of science or art ...."

With these words, Congress established the National Academy of Sciences in 1863, at the height of the Civil War.

Scientific issues would become even more contentious and complex in the years following the war. To keep pace with the growing importance of science and technology, the institution that was founded in 1863 eventually expanded to include the National Research Council in 1916, the National Academy of Engineering in 1964, and the Institute of Medicine in 1970. Collectively, these organizations are called the National Academies.

Advisers to the Nation

For advice on the scientific issues that frequently pervade policy decisions, the nation's leaders often turn to the institution that was specially created for this purpose: the National Academy of Sciences and its sister organizations -- the National Academy of Engineering, the Institute of Medicine, and the National Research Council. The Academies and the Institute are honorary societies that elect new members to their ranks each year. The Institute of Medicine also conducts policy studies on health issues, but the bulk of the institution's science-policy and technical work is conducted by its operating arm, the National Research Council, created expressly for this purpose. These non-profit organizations provide a public service by working outside the framework of government to ensure independent advice on matters of science, technology, and medicine. They enlist committees of the nation's top scientists, engineers, and other experts -- all of whom volunteer their time to study specific concerns. The results of their deliberations have inspired some of America's most significant and lasting efforts to improve the health, education, and welfare of the population.

The National Academies' service to government has become so essential that Congress and the White House have issued legislation and executive orders over the years that reaffirm their unique role.