The National Research Council, which is the administrative arm of the National Academies, serves as an independent adviser to the federal government on scientific and technical questions of national importance.  Established under the congressional charter of the private, nonprofit National Academy of Sciences, The National Research Council is jointly administered by the Academies of Sciences and Engineering, and along with the Institute of Medicine brings the resources of the entire scientific and technical community to bear on national problems through its volunteer advisory committees. 

One of the National Research Council's major divisions, the Policy and Global Affairs Division, is charged with administering Research Associateships through its Fellowship Programs office.