Activities, Projects & Initiatives

The National Academy of Engineering is tasked with identifying and illuminating issues at the intersections of engineering, technology, and society that impact our quality of life. Studies, symposia, and public information activities are carried out both independently by the NAE Program Office and jointly with other units of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine.

Activity Type
  • Project 51
  • Program 3
  • Award 8
Areas of Interest
  • Competitiveness 4
  • Diversity 8
  • Education 28
  • Energy 4
  • Environment 6
  • Ethics 3
  • Healthcare 5
  • Honoring Engineers 9
  • Media and Journalism 1
  • Understanding Engineering 10
Project Status
  • In Progress 21
  • Completed 37
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  • In Progress
    The National Academy of Engineering (NAE) seeks to advance the well-being of the nation by promoting a vibrant engineering profession.  To broaden participation in societal decision making around issues of technology, generate more creative solutions to problems, and promote a more ...

    Latest UpdateMay 16, 2023

  • In Progress
    Practices for Engineering Education and Research (PEER) will conduct studies, workshops, and other activities focused on equitable and inclusive engineering education and related research at the precollege and higher education levels. This program will consider the entire educational system, ...

    Latest UpdateMay 16, 2023

  • In Progress
    The Forum on Complex Unifiable Systems (FOCUS) is a multistakeholder initiative to advance understanding of complex technical and social systems and to identify unifiable approaches to better manage them. The forum will explore both perennials and frontiers of complexity in health, security, ...

    Latest UpdateMay 16, 2023

  • Today’s Engineers Join NAE as we celebrate NAE members and other pioneering engineers who have broken through boundaries and risen above obstacles to become leaders. Their perseverance has enabled them to become engineering professionals whose contributions to their fields of ...

    Latest UpdateFebruary 10, 2023

  • The Fritz J. and Dolores H. Russ Prize, established in October 1999, is named after Fritz Russ, an esteemed engineer and founder of Systems Research Laboratories, and his wife Dolores Russ, a long-time supporter and benefactor of the engineering industry.

    Latest UpdateFebruary 2, 2023

  • NAE President’s Racial Justice and Equity Committee
    In Progress
    The Racial Justice and Equity (RJ&E) Committee, a presidential advisory committee created in 2020 by NAE president John L. Anderson, aims to support the NAE mission “to advance the welfare and prosperity of the nation” by addressing diversity in the NAE, the engineering profession, and the nation. The NAE strives to promote diverse perspectives and research in order to provide better-informed advice to the government and engineering community. To that end, the NAE is working to lead a cultural shift to help meet future workforce needs and design systems that benefit all segments of society. Our work involves collaborating with initiatives to address diversity in the engineering profession. Our goal is to contribute to the growth of equitable practices, improve access to engineering and elevate its value to society.

    Latest UpdateJanuary 3, 2023

  • Awarded for outstanding contributions in the field of naval architecture and marine engineering.

    Latest UpdateOctober 26, 2022

  • Established in 1982, the Arthur M. Bueche (Bee' - kuh) Award honors an engineer who has shown dedication in science and technology, as well as active involvement in determining U.S. science and technology policy, promoting technological development, and contributing to the enhancement of the relationship between industries, government, and universities.

    Latest UpdateOctober 26, 2022

  • The Founders Award was established in 1965 by the Academy to honor an outstanding NAE member or international member who has upheld the ideals and principles of the NAE through professional, educational, and personal achievement and accomplishment.

    Latest UpdateOctober 26, 2022

  • In Progress
    EngineerGirl is the NAE's primary outreach program to support girls and help them understand the opportunities available to them in engineering.

    Latest UpdateAugust 26, 2022

  • In Progress
    Despite calls to increase diversity throughout the engineering education enterprise and years of efforts by universities, K-12 schools, education-related organizations such as professional societies, and collaborations among those organizations, it remains true that Blacks/African-Americans, ...

    Latest UpdateAugust 3, 2022

  • It is a goal of the National Academy of Engineering to honor those who have contributed to the advancement of engineering and to improve public understanding of the importance of engineering and technology.

    Latest UpdateJune 17, 2022

  • The Grainger Foundation Frontiers of Engineering symposia bring together emerging engineering leaders from industry, academe, and government labs to discuss pioneering technical work and leading-edge research.

    Latest UpdateMay 23, 2022

  • Completed
    Series of global summits for leading scientists and engineers, educators, policy leaders, students, and the public to address grand challenges.

    Latest UpdateApril 25, 2022

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