National Academy of Engineering

The National Academy of Engineering (NAE) is an American nonprofit, non-governmental organization. It is part of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM), along with the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) and the National Academy of Medicine (NAM).

The NAE works on engineering programs that help the country. It supports education and research in engineering and honors the best engineers. Each year, new members are chosen by the current members for their excellent work in original research. The NAE runs itself and chooses its members, but it works with the other National Academies to give advice to the government.

History

The National Academy of Sciences began in 1863 when Abraham Lincoln, the president of the United States, signed a special act. At first, it focused only on science. Later, engineering was added to some of its groups.

When the United States got ready for possible war, engineers gave the government advice. In 1919, the Academy made its first engineering section.

In 1964, the National Academy of Engineering (NAE) was created to help with engineering. Its goals were to give advice to the government, work with the National Academy of Sciences, and solve big engineering problems in the country.

Since then, the NAE has worked on many projects, like helping plan airports and teaching future engineers.

Membership

The National Academy of Engineering has more than 2,000 members. These members are some of the best engineers from the United States and other countries. Being asked to join is a big honor. An engineer must be suggested by a current member to be considered. They need to have done important work in engineering research, teaching, or technology.

Since it began, the Academy has chosen about 5,020 members. The Massachusetts Institute of Technology has the most members, with 207. Next is Stanford University with 172 members. The University of California at Berkeley has 127 members.

Program areas

Greatest Engineering Achievements of the 20th Century

In February 2000, at a special event, astronaut and engineer Neil Armstrong announced the top 20 engineering achievements that improved life in the 20th century. These achievements were chosen by professional engineering societies. Some, like the telephone and automobile, had a big impact in the 20th century, even though they were invented earlier. Electrification was ranked the most important because it is essential for modern life.

The list includes things like electrification, automobiles, airplanes, and computers. In 2003, the National Academy of Engineering published a book about these achievements.

Grand Challenges for Engineering

The Grand Challenges are big problems around the world that need new ideas and technology to solve. They include issues like clean energy, better health care, and protecting against natural disasters. The National Academy of Engineering created these challenges to inspire engineers and others to find solutions. These challenges are important for improving life for everyone and are connected to goals set by the United Nations.

In 2007, experts started working on these challenges, and in 2008, they announced 14 big challenges. These challenges cover areas like energy, health, and safety. The Academy wanted to inspire people to work on these problems and make the world a better place.

Frontiers of Engineering

The Frontiers of Engineering program brings together young engineering leaders to talk about new research and share ideas. There are three meetings each year, focusing on different areas of engineering.

Diversity in the Engineering Workplace

The National Academy of Engineering works to make engineering more open to everyone. They hold workshops and work with other groups to improve opportunities for all people in engineering.

Engineering, Economics, and Society

This program looks at how engineering and technology affect the economy. It also studies how to help students and teachers understand technology better.

Engineering and the Environment

This program shows how engineers are working to protect the environment and make the world safer for everyone.

Center for the Advancement of Scholarship on Engineering Education

This center aimed to improve engineering education to prepare students for future challenges. It is no longer active.

Center for Engineering, Ethics, and Society

This center helps engineers deal with important moral questions in their work. It works closely with an online resource about ethics.

Outreach efforts

The National Academy of Engineering (NAE) works to share its ideas with everyone. They create a weekly radio spot that you can hear on WTOP radio in Washington, D.C., or on their website. They send out a newsletter every two weeks about new things in engineering.

The NAE also holds workshops to help reporters and public officials share important information. They work with groups like the Department of Homeland Security to make these workshops happen. The NAE also uses social media to talk to people of all ages and answer questions about engineering.

Presidents

The National Academy of Engineering has had many leaders. Some of these leaders have been presidents of the United States.

No.	Image	President	Term
1		Augustus B. Kinzel	1964-1966
2		Eric A. Walker	1966-1970
3		Clarence H. Linder	1970-1973
4		Robert C. Seamans Jr.	1973-1974
5		William E. Shoupp	1974-1975
6		Courtland D. Perkins	1975-1983
7		Robert M. White	1983-1995
8		Harold Liebowitz	1995-1996
9		Wm. A. Wulf	1996-2007
10		Charles M. Vest	2007-2013
11		C. D. Mote, Jr.	2013-2019
12		John L. Anderson	2019-2025
13		Tsu-Jae King Liu	2025-Present

Prizes

The National Academy of Engineering gives out several important prizes, each worth $500,000. These prizes include the Bernard M. Gordon Prize, the Fritz J. and Dolores H. Russ Prize, and the Charles Stark Draper Prize. These prizes are sometimes called the American version of a Nobel Prize for engineering.

Gordon Prize

Main article: Gordon Prize

The Bernard M. Gordon Prize began in 2001. It honors leaders in teaching and learning about engineering. The winner gets $500,000, with $250,000 going to them personally and $250,000 to their school to support teaching.

Russ Prize

Main article: Russ Prize

The Fritz J. and Dolores H. Russ Prize started in 1999 in Athens, Ohio. It is given every two years to recognize big achievements in bioengineering that help people and improve lives. The prize honors Fritz Russ and his wife Dolores Russ.

Charles Stark Draper Prize

Main article: Charles Stark Draper Prize

The Charles Stark Draper Prize is given each year for advances in engineering and for teaching the public about engineering. The winner receives $500,000. The prize is named after Charles S. Draper, known for his work in inertial navigation.