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For inquiries related to the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, contact PNAS@nas.edu.

No, the National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Engineering, and the National Academy of Medicine are private, nonprofit organizations. They provide policy advice under a congressional charter signed by President Abraham Lincoln in 1863 to establish the National Academy of Sciences as an independent advisor for the U.S. government on science and technology matters. Together, the three organizations are known as the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine.

Each Academy is an honorific, membership organization. Election by peers to these organizations is considered a high honor.

Check the publication's cover and front matter to see which organization is the primary author. Most publications are authored by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine.

No, each report is authored by a committee of experts and subjected to peer review by another group of experts, which remains anonymous until the report is published. All of these individuals are volunteers who work pro bono in service to the nation. Paid staff scientists and administrators facilitate the work of the committee. Click here for more on the study process.

For our policy on committee composition and conflict of interest, see our conflict of interest page.

Yes, all of the institution's publications — whether products of studies, proceedings of convening activities such as workshops, or abbreviated documents — must undergo an independent review by anonymous experts who were not involved in the publication's preparation. This process is overseen by the Office of Peer Review, whose responsibilities are to ensure that the publication addresses the approved charge and does not go beyond it; the findings in a consensus study report are supported by the evidence and arguments presented; and the exposition and organization are effective.

Funding for our work comes from a variety of sources, including government, foundations, philanthropy from individuals, and internal resources.

According to the latest edition of Science, Evolution, and Creationism, issued by the National Academy of Sciences and the Institute of Medicine in early 2008, science is "the use of evidence to construct testable explanation and prediction of natural phenomena, as well as the knowledge generated through this process."

Each Academy elects new members annually. Current membership information is maintained by the membership offices of each Academy. For details on the nomination and election process, visit the membership office of each organization:

• National Academy of Sciences

• National Academy of Engineering

• National Academy of Medicine

The Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) is an independent, multidisciplinary scientific journal published by the National Academy of Sciences. Established in 1914, the journal publishes cutting-edge research reports, commentaries, reviews, perspectives, colloquium papers, and actions of the National Academy of Sciences. The evidence and views presented in papers published in PNAS are those of the authors and do not represent views, findings, or positions of the National Academy of Sciences. PNAS is supported principally by publication and subscriptions fees.