The National Academy of Sciences (NAS) is a private, non-profit, self-perpetuating society of scholars engaged in scientific and engineering research, dedicated to the furtherance of science and technology and to their use for the general welfare. Upon the authority of the charter granted to it by the Congress in 1863, the Academy has a mandate that requires it to advise the federal government on scientific and technical matters.
The NAS and the National Academies sponsor a variety of special programs on topics from basic science to science policy. As of January 1, 2001, several of the National Research Council’s program units will be restructured and consolidated. The new Divisions are as follows:
- Behavioral and Social Sciences and Education (DBASSE) [consolidation of Commission on Behavioral and Social Sciences and Education (CBASSE) and the Center for Education (CFE)] Part of this division is CPOP, Committee on Population
- Earth and Life Studies (DELS) [consolidation of Board on Agriculture and Natural Resources (BANR), Commission on Geosciences, Environment and Resources (CGER) and the Commission on Life Sciences (CLS)]
- engineering and Physical Sciences (DEPS) [consolidation of Commission on Engineering and Techncal Systems (CETS) and the Commission on Physical Sciences, Mathematics and Applications (CPSMA)]
- Policy and Global Affairs (PGA) [consolidation of the Policy Division (PD), Office of Scientific and Engineering Personnel (OSEP) and the Office of International Affairs (OIA)]
- Institute of Medicine (IOM) [unchanged]
- Transportation Research Board (TRB) [unchanged]