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