Federation of American Scientists
The Federation of American Scientists (FAS) is an American nonprofit global policy think tank with the stated intent of using science and scientific analysis to attempt to make the world more secure. FAS was founded in 1946 by scientists, including some who worked on the Manhattan Project, to develop the first atomic bombs. The Federation of American Scientists states that it aims to reduce the amount of nuclear weapons that are in use, and prevent nuclear and radiological terrorism. It says it aims to present high standards for nuclear energy's safety and security, illuminate government secrecy practices, as well as track and eliminate the global illicit trade of conventional, nuclear, biological and chemical weapons.[5]
Abbreviation
FAS
Federation of Atomic Scientists
January 6, 1946[1]
23-7185827[2]
- 1112 16th Street NW
- Suite 400
- Washington, D.C.
Dan Correa[3]
Nishal Mohan[4]
- Jan Lodal[4]
- Catherine Lotrionte[4]
- Don Lebell[4]
- Daniel M. Gerstein[4]
- Robert M. Solow[4] - Ex Officio
- Frank N. von Hippel[4] - Ex Officio
US$1,441,697[2]
US$629,988[2]
With 100 sponsors, the Federation of American Scientists says that it promotes a safer and more secure world by developing and advancing solutions to important science and technology security policy problems by educating the public and policy makers, and promoting transparency through research and analysis to maximize impact on policy. FAS projects are organized in three main programs: nuclear security, government secrecy, and biosecurity. FAS has played a role in the control of atomic energy and weapons, as well as better international monitoring of atomic activities.[6]
Programs and projects
Nuclear Information Project[edit]
The Nuclear Information Project covers nuclear weapons and arms control and the nuclear fuel cycle. The project provides the general public and policy-makers with information and analysis on the status, number, and operation of nuclear weapons, the policies that guide their potential use and nuclear arms control.[13] The project is run by Hans M. Kristensen.[14]
The Nuclear Information Project publishes yearly counts of global nuclear forces in the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists’ "Nuclear Notebook" column.[15] The Nuclear Notebook counts and analyzes international nuclear arsenals using open source research methodology. The estimates in the Nuclear Notebook often accurately count warhead inventories, down to the number, and, according to the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, represent an "authoritative accounting of global nuclear warheads compiled by top experts".[16]
The Nuclear Information Project conducts other open source investigations into nuclear weapons outside of the Nuclear Notebook. In addition to publishing on the Strategic Security blog, fellows also publish in Forbes.[17][18]
Day One Project and Policy Entrepreneurship[edit]
FAS's "Day One Project" crowdsources "science-based policy innovations that can appeal to lawmakers on both sides of the aisle" ready for implementation on "day one" of the next U.S. presidential administration, a project begun in 2019.
