National Academies are a group of organizations in the United States that promote research in the sciences, medicine, and engineering. The academies consist of the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) and three organizations created under its charter—the National Academy of Engineering, the National Academy of Medicine, and the National Research Council. The National Academies advise the United States government on scientific and technical matters, but they are not government agencies. All four organizations have headquarters in Washington, D.C. The academies publish many of their findings through the National Academies Press.
The NAS advises the government on matters related to the behavioral, biological, physical, and social sciences. Scientists are elected to the organization in recognition of their achievements in research. The National Academy of Engineering consists of engineers elected on the basis of professional achievement. Members of the National Academy of Medicine are chosen for their interest in problems of health and medicine. Many come from fields other than health and medicine.
The National Research Council enables other scientists to work with members of the National Academy of Engineering, the National Academy of Medicine, and the NAS. Thousands of scientists and engineers belong to committees and other groups organized by the council to give advice on scientific and technological matters.
See also National Academy of Sciences (NAS) ; National Research Council .
