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Celebrating the Launch of the Roman Space Telescope

Announcement

Over the weekend, NASA successfully launched the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope — the top-ranked large space mission recommended by the National Academies’ 2010 decadal survey on astronomy and astrophysics. With a field of view more than 100 times larger than that of the Hubble Space Telescope, the Roman mission will perform a comprehensive survey of the cosmos with the goal of discovering exoplanets and advancing our understanding of dark matter and energy. For decades, the National Academies have helped identify science goals and mission priorities for NASA, including our most recent Astro 2020 decadal survey.

Aug 31, 2026
NASA’s Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope rises to space atop a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket from Launch Complex 39A at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Sunday, Aug. 30, 2026. The milestone begins the observatory’s journey to explore the large‑scale structure of the universe. Roman will investigate dark energy and dark matter, conduct a statistical census of planetary systems, and enable a broad range of additional astrophysics research. Liftoff occurred at 7:26 a.m. EDT, from Kennedy’s Launch Complex 39A.

The National Academies Welcome 2026 Mirzayan Fellows

News Release

Early-career researchers selected for the 2026 Christine Mirzayan Science and Technology Policy Graduate Fellowship program, who recently began their 12-week assignments at the National Academies, will learn firsthand about science and technology policy as they work closely with scientists, engineers, and medical professionals helping the National Academies address some of the most pressing challenges facing our nation and the world.

Sep 8, 2026

PNAS Celebrates the Lasker Awards

Announcement

A series of perspectives in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences reflects on the work of this year’s Lasker Awards recipients, including NAS/NAM member Emmanuel Mignot and NAS member Masashi Yanagisawa. The other winners are Kunihiro Hattori, Tomoyuki Igawa, and Takehisa Kitazawa, as well as actor Michael J. Fox, who was recognized for the research funded by his Parkinson’s disease foundation.

Sep 9, 2026

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PNAS Celebrates the Lasker Awards

Announcement

A series of perspectives in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences reflects on the work of this year’s Lasker Awards recipients, including NAS/NAM member Emmanuel Mignot and NAS member Masashi Yanagisawa. The other winners are Kunihiro Hattori, Tomoyuki Igawa, and Takehisa Kitazawa, as well as actor Michael J. Fox, who was recognized for the research funded by his Parkinson’s disease foundation.

Sep 9, 2026

The National Academies Welcome 2026 Mirzayan Fellows

News Release

Early-career researchers selected for the 2026 Christine Mirzayan Science and Technology Policy Graduate Fellowship program, who recently began their 12-week assignments at the National Academies, will learn firsthand about science and technology policy as they work closely with scientists, engineers, and medical professionals helping the National Academies address some of the most pressing challenges facing our nation and the world.

Sep 8, 2026

Michimasa Fujino to Receive NAE’s J.C. Hunsaker Award in Aeronautical Engineering

Announcement

The National Academy of Engineering has awarded the 2026 J.C. Hunsaker Award in Aeronautical Engineering to Michimasa Fujino “for the design, building, experimental verification, and flight test to bring to market a technically novel business jet, the HondaJet.”

Sep 8, 2026

Michimasa Fujino, recipient of NAE's 2026 J.C. Hunsaker Award in Aeronautical Engineering

Protecting Health Before, During, and After Wildfires

Program News

Recognizing wildfires as an increasingly complex public health and health care challenge, the National Academies’ Forum on Medical and Public Health Preparedness for Disasters and Emergencies convened a webinar series this summer on wildfire preparedness, response, and recovery. The series brought together experts from health care, emergency management, environmental science, engineering, academia, nonprofit organizations, government agencies, and affected communities.

Sep 3, 2026

For the Webinar Series on Wildfire Preparedness, Response, and Recovery: Health System Resilience in the Era of Complex Wildfire Risk

NAS President Featured on Science Magazine Podcast

Announcement

In a recent conversation on Science magazine’s podcast, NAS President Neil Shubin discussed his guiding principles for leading the Academy, the challenge of providing scientific advice that often has policy implications, and his plans to engage Academy members and younger researchers. (photo by Christopher Michel)

Sep 3, 2026

Headshot/Portrait of Neil H. Shubin, Incoming (as of 2025) President of the National Academy of Sciences and Chair of the National Research Council. Photo taken by Christopher Michel at the University of Chicago, where he serves (as of 2025) as Robert R. Bensley Distinguished Service Professor of Organismal Biology and Anatomy and associate dean of basic science research and academic strategy.

Sethuraman Panchanathan Named NAE Arthur M. Bueche Award Recipient

Announcement

The National Academy of Engineering honored Sethuraman Panchanathan with the 2026 Arthur M. Bueche Award “for leadership in promoting fundamental science, technology, and policy that advances translational research and expands opportunities nationwide.”

Sep 1, 2026

Sethuraman Panchanathan, 2026 recipient of NAE's Arthur M. Bueche Award

A Vision for 21st Century Science Education

Announcement

Our landmark 2012 report A Framework for K-12 Science Education served as the foundation for modern state science education standards, setting a bold new direction for science teaching and learning in the U.S. The National Academies continue to work on improving curriculum, instruction, assessment, and professional development — supporting better outcomes for students and enabling collaboration across districts and state lines.

Sep 1, 2026

Group of young students participating in a hands-on robotics and STEM education activity. Two children are assembling a robot with various components, while others work on coding and programming using laptops. The classroom is vibrant and filled with educational tools and materials, promoting creativity, teamwork, and innovation. Perfect for themes related to technology, education, learning, and future skills development.

Gulf Research Program Welcomes 12 New Science Policy Fellows

News Release

The National Academies’ Gulf Research Program announced today its 2026 cohort of Science Policy Fellows. Beginning Sept. 1, the 12 fellows will spend one year on the staff of federal, state, and local government agencies and nonprofit organizations across the Gulf region.

Sep 1, 2026

2026 Science Policy Fellows Group Photo

Celebrating the Launch of the Roman Space Telescope

Announcement

Over the weekend, NASA successfully launched the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope — the top-ranked large space mission recommended by the National Academies’ 2010 decadal survey on astronomy and astrophysics. With a field of view more than 100 times larger than that of the Hubble Space Telescope, the Roman mission will perform a comprehensive survey of the cosmos with the goal of discovering exoplanets and advancing our understanding of dark matter and energy. For decades, the National Academies have helped identify science goals and mission priorities for NASA, including our most recent Astro 2020 decadal survey.

Aug 31, 2026

NASA’s Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope rises to space atop a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket from Launch Complex 39A at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Sunday, Aug. 30, 2026. The milestone begins the observatory’s journey to explore the large‑scale structure of the universe. Roman will investigate dark energy and dark matter, conduct a statistical census of planetary systems, and enable a broad range of additional astrophysics research. Liftoff occurred at 7:26 a.m. EDT, from Kennedy’s Launch Complex 39A.

A New Look at Radiation Exposure for Flight Crewmembers

Program News

A new congressionally mandated National Academies report is bringing renewed attention to those questions, recommending a more consistent approach to occupational radiation safety across the aviation industry. Assessing Radiation Exposure, Health Outcomes, and Mitigation Strategies for Flight Crewmembers outlines recommendations for developing radiation safety programs, improving education for flight crews, and starting a centralized system to track cumulative radiation exposure over a career.

Aug 28, 2026

Air travel

Eight Winners Selected for the 2026 TRB Airport Cooperative Research Program’s Graduate Research Awards

News Release

The Transportation Research Board’s Airport Cooperative Research Program announced eight recipients of this year’s ACRP Graduate Research Awards. The prestigious award — established to stimulate thought, discussion, and research by graduate students who will become part of the future airport industry workforce — focuses on applied research of airport and related aviation system issues to help improve the quality, reliability, safety, and security of the U.S. civil aviation system.

Aug 27, 2026

Virginia Crossroads: Advancing Flood Resilience Across the Commonwealth

Program News

At Virginia Crossroads: Flood Resilience across the Commonwealth, held March 27, 2026, in Charlottesville, researchers, local and state officials, practitioners, and community leaders came together to explore how actionable science can support more effective flood resilience strategies.

Aug 27, 2026

Flooding on Tangier Island, VA the morning after a thunderstorm. The low elevation island is vulnerable to flooding.

How Innovation Could Reshape Chemistry by 2050

Feature Story

Chemistry and chemical engineering are fundamental to technologies that could revolutionize energy production, quantum computing, and materials and manufacturing over the coming decades. At a recent workshop, participants from academia, industry, and government considered the future of the chemical sciences, exploring scientific challenges that researchers should prioritize, where strategic investments could enable breakthroughs, and how the chemical sciences community can prepare for emerging capabilities.

Aug 27, 2026

Chemistry 2050: A Roadmap to the Future - A Workshop. August 6, 2026. At the Keck Center

Potential of Emerging Research Institutions To Be Explored at Upcoming National Academies Summit

Feature Story

Emerging research institutions — which by statute spend less than $50 million in federal research funding annually — are essential in STEM workforce development. In advance of a National Academies summit next week on reenvisioning the future of STEM research at ERIs, we spoke with summit co-chair Bobwealth Omontese to find out more about ERIs, their role in the broader research community, and what the summit is aiming to achieve.

Aug 26, 2026

Rear view of two university students walk down campus stairs at sunset.

Noubar B. Afeyan Named NAE Simon Ramo Founders Award Recipient

Announcement

Pioneering biotechnology entrepreneur Noubar B. Afeyan has been named recipient of the 2026 Simon Ramo Founders Award “for engineering entrepreneurship and leadership in establishing businesses that create life-saving technologies.” Established by the National Academy of Engineering in 1965, the award honors an exceptional NAE member or international member who exemplifies the Academy’s ideals and principles through their professional, educational, and personal achievements.

Aug 25, 2026

Noubar B. Afeyan Named 2026 NAE Simon Ramo Founders Award Recipient

National Academies Report Inspires Actionable School Safety Strategies

Program News

Active shooter drills have become a standard practice in many U.S. schools, yet their potential impact on students and educators has received limited attention. Following a listening session series and consensus study by the National Academies, the impact across schools and districts has become apparent. The study’s resulting report, Active Shooter Drills: Mitigating Risks to Mental, Emotional, and Behavioral Health, explores how active shooter drills are conducted and how to reduce potential harm while supporting school safety.

Aug 21, 2026

Empty classroom at elementary school!
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