The bulk of the institution's work lies in the hundreds of policy studies it produces each year. These reports examine a range of issues, from AIDS to obesity to science education, nuclear waste, and more. The majority of studies are requested and funded by the federal government. Private industry, foundations, and state and local governments also initiate studies, as does the institution itself through private endowments.

To accomplish its work, the institution draws from the expertise of the 4,000 members of its Academies and Institute. Membership is a highly prestigious honor, as these professionals represent the best in their fields. But because the many questions and sheer volume of work exceed the capacity of its membership organizations, thousands of other experts from a wide range of disciplines are called upon to volunteer their time to serve on panels and committees. Many of these experts come from academia; approximately a third are professionals working in industry, the private sector, or government.

During each project, a special effort is made to involve individuals outside the realm of science and engineering who have been directly involved in the problem under consideration. Teachers, for example, have played an important role in helping develop the National Science Education Standards, a project coordinated by the Research Council. And veterans of the armed services helped provide information to committee members studying the exposure of service personnel to toxic chemicals during wartime. The consensus reports prepared by study committees often produce novel and influential recommendations.

In addition, the institution sponsors symposia, roundtables, and forums on national issues; publishes proceedings from conferences and workshops; and issues "white papers" that take a stand on pressing scientific concerns. The institution also serves as a neutral convener, bringing together parties with disparate interests and views to seek out threads of agreement. For example, ways to improve the nation's research enterprise are explored on a regular basis by the institution's Government-University-Industry Research Roundtable, a group of scientists, engineers, administrators, and policy-makers from government, industry, and academe.