SUMMARY:

The U.S. National Research Council (NRC) was created by the National Academy of Sciences in 1916 at President Woodrow Wilson’s request to mobilize scientists and engineers for national needs during World War I; it was made permanent by Executive Order 2859 in 1918 and later strengthened by subsequent orders. From its earliest years through the Cold War, the NRC served as the operational arm linking the Academies to government, industry, and academia.

Historically and today, the NRC’s core work is to convene expert committees that produce evidence-based, peer-reviewed consensus reports and host workshops and forums across science, engineering, and medicine. This “study process” emphasizes balance, conflict-of-interest vetting, and independent review, giving policymakers and the public objective advice on complex issues.

Since 2015, the NRC name has largely been retired from public branding; reports are issued under “The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine,” though the NRC continues internally as the governing/operating mechanism for much of the study work (e.g., divisions and boards) and has recently overseen organizational updates. In short, the Academies—through the NRC—remain the nation’s pre-eminent source of independent, nonpartisan S&T advice.

Reports:

❌Trends in Usage of Silver - Materials Advisory Board [Feb 1968]