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Center for Advancing Science and Technology (CAST)

The Center for Advancing Science and Technology (CAST) fuels innovation across physical sciences, engineering, education, and policy to advance the nation’s future prosperity and resilience. Our work prepares and supports the U.S. workforce to strengthen American competitiveness and security.

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News and Updates

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

Digital Overview: Implications of AI for Cybersecurity

Update

Our new rapid expert consultation examines how AI is reshaping cybersecurity and expanding capabilities for both attackers and defenders. Explore the digital overview, which presents near-term risks, long-term opportunities, and a range of policy and research options to strengthen the nation’s cybersecurity.

Jun 24, 2026
Technology backdrop. Abstract digital background.

DOE Should Develop AI-Based Foundation Models Fused with Traditional Computational Methods to Bring Paradigm Shift to Scientific Discovery

News Release

Foundation models are AI systems trained on vast amounts of data — often trillions of individual data points — and they are capable of learning new ways of modeling information and performing a range of tasks. A new National Academies report examines how the U.S. Department of Energy could use these models to potentially transform scientific discovery and innovation.

Dec 16, 2025
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News and updates

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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.

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!

ARPA-E Plays Unique and Valuable Role in Energy Innovation and Should Be Reliably Funded, Says New Report

News Release

Congress should continue to provide reliable funding for the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy, as it plays a unique and valuable role in the nation’s energy innovation ecosystem, helping reduce the risk in adopting new technologies and increase the likelihood of private-sector investment, says a new congressionally mandated National Academies report.

Aug 20, 2026

Abstract Futuristic Background with Lines Stripes

Call for Posters - Integration of AI in the Electricity System

Update

The National Academies' Roundtable on Artificial Intelligence and Climate Change will host a workshop to explore the integration of AI in the electricity system. The workshop invites graduate students and early-career researchers to submit abstracts for posters describing ongoing research, demonstrations, testbeds, datasets, and deployed applications related to the integration of artificial intelligence into the electricity system. Contributions from academia, national laboratories, industry, utilities, government agencies, and federally funded research projects are encouraged. All applications and materials must be received by the application deadline of August 21, 2026.

Jul 17, 2026

Digital Overview: Implications of AI for Cybersecurity

Update

Our new rapid expert consultation examines how AI is reshaping cybersecurity and expanding capabilities for both attackers and defenders. Explore the digital overview, which presents near-term risks, long-term opportunities, and a range of policy and research options to strengthen the nation’s cybersecurity.

Jun 24, 2026

Technology backdrop. Abstract digital background.

AI Will Elevate Near-Term Cybersecurity Risks but — with Investment and Coordination — Can Strengthen Cybersecurity in the Long Run

News Release

To counteract emerging cyberthreats posed by artificial intelligence, the baseline level of cybersecurity across society must rise — including stronger security practices, improved software quality, faster response to threats, and more effective sharing of cyberthreat intelligence, says a new rapid expert consultation from the National Academies.

Jun 24, 2026

Futuristic digital technological background with hexagonal elements, yellow glowing digital lock and binary code. Encryption your data. Big data security. Safe your data. Cyber internet security and privacy concept. 3d illustration

Assessment of Technical and Scientific Capabilities at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center: Request for Community Input

Update

To inform the assessment, the National Academies invite input from interested stakeholders on topics related to the condition of GSFC facilities, workplace environment, infrastructure, and other factors that may affect the Center’s ability to carry out its scientific and technical mission.

Jun 22, 2026

Aerial view of NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, in 2010. https://www.nasa.gov/image-detail/amf-gsfc_20171208_archive_e000542/

Decadal Survey for Earth Science and Applications from Space 2028–2037 - Request for Information - DEADLINE EXTENDED

Update

The ESAS 2028 Decadal Survey invites input from across the Earth science and applications community to help shape priorities and opportunities for advancing the Earth science enterprise in the decade ahead. Responses are welcome on a broad range of topics, from science and applications priorities to observational needs, implementation approaches, and related contextual issues. For full consideration, responses should be received by 11:59 p.m. PDT on August 24, 2026.

Jun 17, 2026

This artist's concept depicts the NISAR satellite orbiting Earth. Short for NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar, the mission is an equal collaboration between NASA and the Indian Space Research Organisation and marks the first time the two agencies have cooperated on hardware development for an Earth-observing mission.

Best Practices, Opportunities for Plugging Orphan Wells Identified in New Report

News Release

Potentially hundreds of thousands of orphaned oil and gas wells across the U.S. remain unplugged or were sealed before modern standards existed, and pose risks to public health, the environment, and nearby communities. A new National Academies report examines technologies and best practices for plugging and remediating orphan wells.

Jun 11, 2026

Photo of the old rusty oil rigs with preasure valve

New Technologies and Approaches Needed to Shore Up Interconnected U.S. Energy and Water Systems, Says New Report

News Release

As demands on the nation’s deeply interconnected energy and water systems grow, potential disruptions can have far-reaching consequences for communities, the economy, and national security. A new National Academies report examines how the systems’ interdependencies create both risks and opportunities and how collaborative, coordinated approaches can strengthen resilience and reliability.

May 19, 2026

Tom Miller Dam, Lake Austin, Colorado River, Austin Texas. Lake Austin (formerly Lake McDonald) is a water reservoir on the Colorado River in Austin, Texas. The reservoir was formed in 1939 by the construction of Tom Miller Dam by the Lower Colorado River Authority.

The Mark Kleiman Innovation for Public Policy Memorial Lecture honors former CLAJ member Mark Kleiman

Update

Applications for the 2026 lecture will be open from May 15, 2026 to 11:59pm ET on July 15, 2026.

May 15, 2026

Mark-Kleiman-Slider.jpg | https://nasemoceprodcomm-nationalacademies.cec.ocp.oraclecloud.com/content/published/api/v1.1/assets/CONT0D146EC8F0424AA59F211D796C113A9D/native?cb=_cache_daba&format=webp&channelToken=d2dc71410b56f1d61406108f1738d0f4

U.S. Should Substantially Boost Support for Manufacturing USA Program, Issue National Industrial Manufacturing Strategy, Says New Report

News Release

To better compete globally and drive national progress in manufacturing, the U.S. should develop a comprehensive industrial strategy to align resources for manufacturing and maximize the economic and national security impacts of the Manufacturing USA program — a network of 17 institutes that specialize in different types of advanced manufacturing.

May 14, 2026

Aerial Car Factory 3D Concept: Automated Robot Arm Assembly Line Manufacturing Advanced High-Tech Green Energy Electric Vehicles. Construction, Building, Welding Industrial Production Conveyor

Securing AI Systems: Experts Consider Research Priorities at April Event

Program News

Experts in cybersecurity and artificial intelligence recently gathered at the National Academies to examine AI security, how existing cybersecurity tools and practices can be adapted, and emerging risks in high-impact applications such as scientific research, drug discovery, and financial services. Speakers from various organizations including Microsoft, Meta, Qualcomm, and Security Superintelligence Labs explored priorities as the use of AI-enabled systems increases.

May 11, 2026

Cloud Computing and Network Security Meeting.

Decadal Survey for Earth Science and Applications from Space 2028-2037 (ESAS 2028): Call for Experts

Update

We invite you submit suggestions for experts to participate in this anticipated activity. The call will be open until June 7, 2026, 11:59 PM ET

May 6, 2026

This artist's concept depicts the NISAR satellite orbiting Earth. Short for NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar, the mission is an equal collaboration between NASA and the Indian Space Research Organisation and marks the first time the two agencies have cooperated on hardware development for an Earth-observing mission.

Navigating the Turbulent Future of AI and Work

Feature Story

How is artificial intelligence affecting education and jobs, and what should young people study now to be employable in the future? A recent National Academies workshop explored these questions, along with how organizations can collaborate to steer AI’s use and impacts.

May 4, 2026

Teacher giving AI (Artificial Intelligence) Introduction in the classroom

New Interactive:  A Science Strategy for the Human Exploration of Mars

Update

When astronauts set foot on Mars, it will mark a new era of discovery shaped by decades of research, engineering, and imagination. A new interactive overview of our report A Science Strategy for the Human Exploration of Mars offers a high-level outline of options for future human-led campaigns and how these missions can advance the highest-priority science objectives, from searching for signs of life to understanding how planets evolve and preparing for sustained human exploration.

Apr 15, 2026

cover art for A Science Strategy for the Human Exploration of Mars

Following the Success of Artemis II, Scientists Will Shape What Comes Next for Lunar Exploration

Feature Story

NASA plans to launch more lunar missions after the success of Artemis II, signaling a renewed era for lunar exploration and science — and raising questions about what comes next. A National Academies study currently underway will identify key nonpolar landing sites for future crewed lunar missions and what science goals could be achieved.

Apr 13, 2026

jsc2026e022316 (April 11, 2026) - NASA’s Artemis II crew, NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, commander; Victor Glover, pilot; Christina Koch, mission specialist; and CSA (Canadian Space Agency) astronaut Jeremy Hansen, shared brief remarks with friends, family, and colleagues after they landed at Ellington Airport near NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston on Saturday, April 11, 2026, after a nearly 10-day journey around the Moon and back to Earth. Credit: NASA/Bill Stafford
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