WASHINGTON — The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine today announced a significant restructuring of its program divisions, which perform the bulk of the National Academies’ work to inform public policy through evidence-based advice. The program divisions are housed within the National Research Council, the operating arm of the National Academies. The National Research Council’s Governing Board authorized the new structure last week.   

The restructuring is the result of a yearlong strategic analysis and a planning process overseen by a working group of Governing Board members with expertise and experience in organizational change. It also comes in the face of rapidly changing federal policies and budgets.  

“We are repositioning ourselves to be a more streamlined, more nimble organization that can more quickly adapt to and meet the evolving needs of our government, philanthropic, and private-sector sponsors,” said Gregory H. Symmes, executive officer of the National Research Council and chief operating officer of the National Academy of Sciences. “We know these changes may be difficult for our dedicated and very talented staff, but we believe this is the best way to further our ability to serve the nation and the world.”  

“This streamlining of the National Academies is the best way to advance our mission, which is more important than ever at this moment in history,” added Marcia McNutt, president of the National Academy of Sciences.  

In a message to staff, National Academies leadership stressed that the restructuring is necessary to improve financial sustainability; to be more efficient, effective, timely, and impactful; to preserve high-impact programs and core capabilities; to foster growth and innovation; and to be more flexible.  

The restructuring will shift most of the work of five current program divisions into two new centers: the Center for Health, People, & Places and the Center for Advancing Science & Technology. Each center will have six program areas designed to allow the National Academies to work on the same broad range of issues that they currently do, but in a more streamlined manner and in a way that promotes greater collaboration.  

The National Research Council’s Gulf Research Program and Transportation Research Board, given their unique operating models and missions, will largely remain in their current forms. In addition, three new offices are being established to consolidate institution-wide activities and strategic-planning priorities: the Office of International Networks, Cooperation, and Security; the Office of Strategy and Engagement; and the Office of Fellowships.   Implementation of the restructuring will begin immediately and is expected to be in place this fall. In parallel, core administrative and support units will be assessing their own structures in consideration of the new program structure and the current fiscal environment.  

The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine form a private, nonprofit institution that provides independent, objective analysis and advice to the nation to solve complex problems and inform public policy decisions related to science, engineering, and medicine. The National Academies operate under an 1863 congressional charter to the National Academy of Sciences, signed by President Lincoln.   Contact: Office of News and Public Information 202-334-2138; email news@nas.edu