Introduction to National Academy of Sciences
The National Academy of Sciences (United States, abbreviation: NAS) was established in 1863. It is a scientific organization composed of well-known American scientists. Its members serve as "National Science, Engineering, and Medical Consultants" free of charge during their term of office. It is an honorary and government consulting agency for the scientific community in the United States.
The National Academy of Sciences of the United States is not a government department, but a private, non-profit, and honorary autonomous organization of scientists. There are no scientific research institutions under it. The National Academy of Sciences is one of the four highest-level academic institutions in the United States (National Academy of Sciences, National Academy of Engineering, National Academy of Sciences, National Fund for Nature).