National Academy of Sciences: A Mark of Scientific Excellence

Membership in the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) is one of the most prestigious honors a scientist can achieve. Based in Washington, D.C., the NAS grants this membership to individuals who have demonstrated "distinguished and continuing achievements in original research." Since its inception in 1863, the Academy has served as a beacon of scientific excellence, recognizing the world's most impactful researchers.

The Academy is not merely a club but a rigorous body of experts dedicated to the advancement of science. Its members are recognized globally for their contributions to human knowledge, with many having received the Nobel Prize for their work.

Key Facts

Established: 1863
Location: Washington, D.C., United States
Membership Criteria: Distinguished and continuing achievements in original research
Total Membership (as of May 2018): 2,382 active members and 484 international members
Nobel Laureates: Approximately 190 members have received Nobel Prizes
Annual Election Limit: Maximum of 120 members (including up to 30 international members) as of 2026

Types of Membership

The NAS categorizes its members into three distinct groups based on citizenship and activity levels:

Voting Members: Scientists who hold citizenship of the United States.
Nonvoting International Members: Scientists who hold citizenship outside of the United States.
Emeritus Members: Former active members who are no longer active and have rescinded their voting rights.

The Nomination and Election Process

Membership in the NAS is an honor that cannot be applied for. Instead, it is granted through a rigorous peer-review and election process conducted annually.

The Nomination Phase

Only current voting academicians can submit formal nominations. Each nomination must include a curriculum vitae (CV), a 250-word summary of the nominee's scientific achievements, and a list of no more than 12 of their most important published papers. This strict limit on publications is designed to prioritize the quality of research over the quantity.

The Voting Phase

The election process involves several stages of scrutiny:

Preferential Voting: An annual ballot is held every March.
Peer Review: Candidates are evaluated by their peers within the scientific community.
Final Ballot: A final vote takes place in April during the Academy's Annual General Meeting (AGM).
Announcement: Results are typically announced in early May.

Newly elected members are formally introduced at a presentation ceremony and sign the Registry of Membership.

Notable Member Milestones

Throughout its history, the NAS has seen several groundbreaking firsts that reflect the evolving landscape of science:

Edward C. Pickering: The youngest scientist ever elected, joining in 1873 at age 26.
Florence R. Sabin: The first woman elected to the Academy in 1924.
David Blackwell: The first African American elected in 1965.
Marcia McNutt: The first woman to serve as president of the NAS.
Ben Barres: The first transgender scientist elected in 2013.
Frances Arnold: The first woman elected to all three U.S. National Academies (Engineering, Medicine, and Sciences).

While membership is a high honor, some have resigned on principle. Richard Feynman resigned due to perceived elitism and in-group favoritism, and Josiah Whitney became the first member to resign in 1874.

Diversity and Representation

The NAS has faced criticism regarding a lack of diversity, with critics noting a selection bias toward "old white men" and graduates of elite institutions like the Ivy League, MIT, Stanford, Caltech, and the University of California. This phenomenon is often linked to the Matthew effect, where existing prestige leads to further advantage.

However, representation is gradually shifting. The proportion of women elected has seen a steady increase:

1989: Only 3% of members were female (57 women vs. 1,516 men).
2012: A record high at the time, with 26 women (30% of new inductees) elected.
2019: A new record, with 50 women representing 40% of the 125 new members.

Scientific Classes and Sections

Members are organized into six scientific classes, which are further divided into specialized sections to maintain disciplinary expertise.

NAS Scientific Classification Structure
Class	Focus Area	Example Sections
I	Physical and Mathematical Sciences	Mathematics, Astronomy, Physics, Chemistry, Geology, Geophysics
II	Biological Sciences	Biochemistry, Genetics, Evolutionary Biology, Plant Biology
III	Engineering and Applied Sciences	Engineering Sciences, Computer and Information Sciences
IV	Biomedical Sciences	Immunology, Medical Genetics, Microbial Biology
V	Behavioral and Social Sciences	Anthropology, Economic Sciences, Psychology
VI	Applied Biological, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences	Environmental Sciences, Ecology, Soil Sciences

Member Biographies and Legacy

The Academy ensures the legacy of its members through formal documentation. Since 1966, new members have been invited to write an Inaugural Year Article (IYA) for the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), accompanied by a brief biography. For deceased members, detailed biographies are published in the Biographical Memoirs of the National Academy of Sciences (BMNAS).

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a scientist apply for membership in the NAS?

No, membership cannot be applied for. Candidates must be formally nominated by existing voting members of the Academy.

What is the difference between a voting member and an international member?

Voting members must be citizens of the United States, whereas international members are citizens of other countries and do not have voting rights.

How many members are elected each year?

As of 2026, the Academy may elect a maximum of 120 members annually, with a limit of 30 for international members.

Why is there a limit on the number of publications in a nomination?

The limit of 12 publications is intended to ensure that the assessment focuses on the quality and impact of the nominee's work rather than the sheer quantity of their output.

Who was the first woman to be elected to the NAS?

Florence R. Sabin became the first woman elected to the National Academy of Sciences in 1924.