On March 3, 1863, at a pivotal moment in American history, the National Academy of Sciences was founded to provide independent scientific advice to the nation.

More than 160 years later—across wars, pandemics, and technological revolutions—the Academy's mission to advance science for the public good endures.

163rd NAS Annual Meeting Research Briefings

The landscape of scientific research is changing faster than ever, and the 163rd NAS Annual Meeting Research Briefings will give you a front-row seat to the latest discoveries shaping our world. From giant earthquakes and modern robotics, to the complexities of collective intelligence and the neuroscience of language, these sessions will dive into a wide…


NAS Member Receives the 2026 Craaford Prize in Geosciences

The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences has announced that the 2026 Craaford Prize in Geosciences is awarded to NAS member Veerabhadran Ramanathan for fundamental contributions to our understanding of how aerosol particles and other climate pollutants influence the atmospheric energy balance and the Earth system. “He has expanded our view of how humankind is affecting…


Membership

Election to membership in the NAS recognizes excellence in research and is one of the highest honors a scientist can achieve.

MEMBERSHIP

Programs

Learn about our work on issues of national and worldwide concern, and explore science in new and engaging ways.

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Scientific Meetings

Listen to leading scientists talk about the latest in research.

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Public Engagement

Explore the intersection of science and art and engage with science in new and exciting ways.

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Science & Society

Learn about our special initiatives on national and worldwide issues from human rights to arms control.

Awards

NAS awards have recognized the outstanding contributions of more than 1,000 individuals in the physical, biological, and social sciences.

 

Featured Awards
James Craig Watson Medal
James Craig Watson Medal

Astronomy

James Craig Watson Medal
NAS Award in Chemistry for Service to Society
NAS Award for Chemistry in Service to Society
NAS Award in Chemistry for Service to Society
NAS Award in Scientific Discovery 1
NAS Award for Scientific Discovery

Astronomy, Materials Science, or Physics

NAS Award in Scientific Discovery 1
Richard Lounsbery Award
Richard Lounsbery Award

Biology and Medicine

Richard Lounsbery Award
Selman A. Waksman Award in Microbiology
Selman A. Waksman Award in Microbiology

 

Selman A. Waksman Award in Microbiology

Publications

Explore our flagship journal PNAS, reports from the National Academies, and other NAS publications.

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Proceedings of the National
Academy of Sciences

The Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) is an authoritative source of high-impact, original research that broadly spans the biological, physical, and social sciences. The journal is global in scope and submission is open to all researchers worldwide.

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PNAS Nexus

PNAS Nexus is a gold open access journal dedicated to publishing high-quality original research from across the biological, medical, physical, social, and political sciences, and engineering and mathematics, promoting collaboration across diverse fields.

News

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NEWS

About Us

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