NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES— 
NATIONAL RESEARCH COUNCIL 
The National Academy of Sciences—National Research 
Council is a private, nonprofit organization of scientists, 
dedicated to the furtherance of science and to its use for the 
general welfare. 
The Academy itself was established in 1863 under a Con- 
gressional charter signed by President Lincoln. Empowered 
to provide for all activities appropriate to academies of 
science, it was also required by its charter to act as an 
adviser to the Federal Government in scientific matters. 
This provision accounts for the close ties that have always 
existed between the Academy and the Government, although 
the Academy is not a governmental agency. 
The National Research Council was established by the 
Academy in 1916, at the request of President Wilson, to 
enable scientists generally to associate their efforts with 
those of the limited membership of the Academy in service 
to the nation, to society, and to science at home and abroad. 
Members of the National Research Council receive their 
appointments from the President of the Academy. They 
include representatives nominated by the major scientific 
and technical societies, representatives of the Federal Gov- 
ernment, and a number of members-at-large. In addition, 
several thousand scientists and engineers take part in the 
activities of the Research Council through membership on its 
various boards and committees. 
Receiving funds from both public and private sources, by 
contributions, grant, or contract, the Academy and its Re- 
search Council thus work to stimulate research and its 
applications, to survey the broad possibilities of science, 
to promote effective utilization of the scientific and technical 
resources of the country, to serve the Government, and to 
further the general interests of science. 
