President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology

The order re-establishes PCAST with up to 26 members, led by the President's Science Advisor as Co-Chair alongside one or two presidentially designated non-federal Co-Chairs. Non-federal members — drawn from research, industry, universities, national laboratories, state and Tribal governments, and nonprofits — are appointed by the President and serve without pay. The council is directed to advise on policy affecting science, technology, and innovation; respond to requests from the President or Science Advisor; solicit broad stakeholder input; and provide advice to the National Science and Technology Council. It also formally serves as the advisory committee under the High-Performance Computing Act and the advisory panel under the 21st Century Nanotechnology Research and Development Act.

The Department of Energy is directed to provide funding and administrative support. The council is subject to a two-year sunset unless the President extends it, and is explicitly not granted any enforceable rights or binding authority of its own.

Up to 26 PCAST members — primarily distinguished non-federal scientists, engineers, and innovators appointed by the President — and the Office of Science and Technology Policy, the National Science and Technology Council, and the Department of Energy, which provides administrative and financial support.

Federal science and technology policy will now be formally shaped by an advisory body with diverse expertise from outside government. Researchers, universities, national labs, and industry stakeholders gain a structured channel to inform White House decisions on topics ranging from energy and public health to national security and racial equity.

PCAST is housed administratively under the Department of Energy, which funds and staffs it within existing appropriations. The Science Advisor co-chairs the council and can request security clearances for members needing access to classified matters. The council may form standing subcommittees and ad hoc technical groups. It reports to the President and the National Science and Technology Council. The Federal Advisory Committee Act applies, with the Secretary of Energy performing presidential functions under that Act except congressional reporting. The council sunsets automatically after two years unless the President acts to extend it.