About Us

For more than 140 years, the National Academies have been advising the nation on issues of science, technology, and medicine. The 1863 Congressional charter signed by President Lincoln authorized this non-governmental institution to honor top scientists with membership and to serve the nation whenever called upon. Today the National Academies—the National Academy of Sciences, National Academy of Engineering, Institute of Medicine, and the National Research Council—continue that dual mission.

Earth & Life Studies at the National Academies enlists the nation's experts to address issues of local and national importance where policy meets the geo-, life-, and chemical sciences. The division's program units conduct a wide range of activities that facilitate communication among the research community, policy makers, industry, and the public.

Advice from our reports has been influential in enacting legislation, influencing policy decisions, enabling new research, serving as widely-used reference books, and providing science advice for regional and local decision makers.

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