National Academy of Engineering

Founded in 1964, the National Academy of Engineering (NAE) provides engineering leadership in service to the nation. The NAE operates under the same congressional act of incorporation that established the National Academy of Sciences, signed in 1863 by President Lincoln. Under this charter the NAE is directed "whenever called upon by any department or agency of the government, to investigate, examine, experiment, and report upon any subject of science or art." The NAE is a private, independent, nonprofit institution. In addition to its role as advisor to the federal government, the NAE also conducts independent studies to examine important topics in engineering and technology. NAE membership honors those who have made outstanding contributions to engineering; election to the NAE is among the highest professional distinctions accorded to an engineer.

The NAE is a member of the National Academies, which includes the NAE, the National Academy of Sciences (NAS), the Institute of Medicine (IOM), and the National Research Council (NRC) -- which serves as the principal operating arm of the academies. Engineering program activities of the National Academies cut across the many operational units of these four organizations, although most projects are executed by units of the NRC.