# National Academy of Sciences

National Academy of Sciences is an Endowment / Foundation based in Washington, United States.

## Overview

- **Organization type:** Endowment / Foundation
- **Headquarters:** Washington, United States
- **Region:** North America
- **Address:** 2101 Constitution Ave NW, Washington, District of Columbia, United States
- **Founded:** 1863
- **Assets under management:** 1240 (Altss estimate)
- **Website:** nasonline.org
- **LinkedIn:** https://www.linkedin.com/company/national-academy-of-sciences

## Regulatory record

- **Reports private funds:** No

## About

The National Academy of Sciences was established by President Abraham Lincoln in 1863 as a private nonprofit to advance science for the public good. It operates today as the parent body within the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine alongside the National Academy of Engineering and National Academy of Medicine. Investment activity centers on a diversified endowment that includes a 13.55 percent allocation to private equity. Confirmed holdings include a limited-partner position in Deerfield Private Design Fund IV. The portfolio also maintains exposure to hedge funds and natural resources. Geographic reach spans North America and Europe with additional program work in Asia and the Gulf of Mexico. Asset classes extend to early-stage venture, seed investments and secondaries. The organization employs roughly 1,000 people and maintains facilities including the Keck Center in Washington and the Arnold and Mabel Beckman Center in Irvine, California. Service providers include TIAA as investment advisor and Grant Thornton as auditor since 2019. Recent activity includes sponsorship of the NAS 161st Annual Meeting in May 2024 focused on AI and scientific discovery. Governance separates the endowment from the operating budget through an investment committee chaired by Jeremiah P. Ostriker. This structure allows the Academy to pursue both financial returns and philanthropic programs such as the Gulf Research Program without direct political oversight.

## Sectors

- ClimateTech
- Digital Health
- Energy Transition & Renewables
- AgriTech & FoodTech
- SpaceTech

## People

- Marcia McNutt — President
- Jeremiah P. Ostriker — Chair of the Investment Committee

## Questions

### Who runs investment decisions at the National Academy of Sciences?

Jeremiah P. Ostriker chairs the Investment Committee. Day-to-day management involves external advisors including TIAA and Morningstar Investment Management.

### Does the National Academy of Sciences participate in fund commitments or only direct deals?

The endowment holds limited-partner interests such as Deerfield Private Design Fund IV and maintains allocations to private equity and hedge funds.

### What asset classes appear in the National Academy of Sciences portfolio?

Allocations include private equity at 13.55 percent, hedge funds, natural resources and early-stage venture alongside real estate and mission-related investments.

### Where does the National Academy of Sciences maintain investment exposure?

Primary exposure is in North America and Europe with additional program activity in Asia and the Gulf of Mexico.

### How is the National Academy of Sciences endowment governed relative to its operating programs?

An investment committee oversees the endowment separately from the operating budget to support both financial returns and philanthropic initiatives such as the Gulf Research Program.

## Related profiles

- [Maverick Capital](https://altss.com/profile/maverick-capital)
- [Ryder System, Inc.](https://altss.com/profile/ryder-system-inc)

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Last updated: 2026-06-03T20:00:00.000Z

Canonical page: https://altss.com/profile/national-academy-of-sciences

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