Driving progress for the benefit of society by providing independent, objective advice to advance science, engineering, and medicine.
U.S. Needs New Drought Assessment Framework as Droughts Become More Severe and Unpredictable
News Release
As droughts in the United States become more frequent and longer-lasting, new assessment tools are needed. A new National Academies report examines how the field of drought assessment can better account for shifting drought conditions and proposes a framework to support drought monitoring, planning, and decision-making to meet future challenges.
Jun 30, 2026
Watch ‘Revolutions in Science: Discovery, Imagination, and the Future’
Announcement
As the United States marks its 250th anniversary, the National Academy of Sciences and the Smithsonian Institution co-hosted a daylong symposium exploring the ideas, technologies, and people that have shaped the American scientific enterprise and how to sustain science and discovery for generations to come.
Jun 26, 2026
The Enduring Pursuit of Science in America
Announcement
In a new editorial in Science, NAS President-elect Neil Shubin reflects on the Academy’s founding by Abraham Lincoln and Congress during the Civil War. They “looked at a nation in crisis and built something designed to last … a place where the best available knowledge could be gathered, examined, and put in service of the common good. That remains the Academy’s aspiration.” (photo by Christopher Michel)
Jun 25, 2026
- AI Will Elevate Near-Term Cybersecurity Risks but — with Investment and Coordination — Can Strengthen Cybersecurity in the Long Run Jun 24, 2026 News Release
- Statement by National Academies Presidents on Importance of NSF’s Ocean Observatories Initiative Jun 9, 2026 Statement
- Watch the 2026 State of the Science Address Jun 3, 2026 Announcement
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Our Work on Artificial Intelligence
As artificial intelligence increasingly becomes a part of daily life, the National Academies are advising the government on AI use, policy, ethics, and innovation. Explore our work, from making machine learning safer in high-stakes applications to setting standards for how AI is used in health and medicine.
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Many science-related challenges that affect people’s health, environment, and livelihoods directly and profoundly require responses at the state, local, and regional levels. National Academies studies, workshops, and other projects help policymakers and communities better understand and navigate these challenges.
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We rely on working transportation and infrastructure to go about our daily lives: a reliable electrical grid, durable buildings, and safe roads for all. The National Academies provide insights on how to create and maintain these critical systems to build a strong foundation for America’s future.
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The National Academies study biodiversity, climate change, and the biological sciences to inform conservation and support environmental health. Explore research that helps communities adapt, protect nature, and build a more sustainable world. Photo Credit: Chris Michel
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