The National Academy of Public Administration is an academic institution that was founded by James E. Webb, then-administrator of NASA, and other leading public administration practitioners in 1967 and chartered under Title 36 of the United States Code in 1984 under . The academy is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization focused on analyzing emerging trends in governance and public administration. It is one of the two organizations (the other being the National Academy of Sciences) chartered by Congress in this manner. Though the academy's funding comes primarily from studies that are congressionally requested or mandated, it is not considered a government agency. It is based in Washington, D.C. The group established the Louis Brownlow Book Award in 1968.
Background
The academy's studies are directed by a group of over 850 peer-elected fellows. Election to the National Academy is considered to be one of the highest honors by those engaged in the study or practice of public administration. The fellows are responsible for establishing the organization's policies and priorities and serving as advisers on panels, convened for each study, which issue the studies findings and recommendations.
Webb's impetus in forming the academy was to create an organization that would provide independent, nonpartisan and neutral advice to government leaders and agencies on all levels of government. The academy provides advice to a variety of organizations including:
Various U.S. congressional committees
U.S. Department of Energy
U.S. Government Printing Office
U.S. Office of Management and Budget
U.S. Department of Defense
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
U.S. Agency for International Development
Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation
National Weather Service
Federal Bureau of Investigation
Small Business Administration
Federal Aviation Administration
University of California
Mission
As per the congressional charter, the academy's mission is:Through its trusted and experienced leaders, the Academy improves the quality, performance, and accountability of governments in the nation and the world. To this end, the Academy's Congressional Charter calls on it to: Evaluate the structure, administration, operation, and program performance of governments; anticipate, identify, and analyze significant problems; and suggest timely correct action; Foresee and examine critical issues in governance; and formulate practical approaches to their resolution; Assess the effectiveness, structure, administration, and implications for governance of present or proposed public programs, policies, and processes; and recommend specific changes; Advise on relationship of federal, state, regional, and local governments; increase public officials', citizens', and scholars' understanding of requirements and opportunities for sound governance and how these can be effectively met; Demonstrate by the conduct of its affairs a commitment to the highest professional standards of ethics and scholarship; and Investigate, experiment, and report upon any subject of government whenever called upon by Congress or the federal government.
Research
Through its studies, the academy has focused attention on a range of government issues, including: Strategy development and change management Organizational structure and design Program evaluation Human capital and multisector workforce Acquisitions, budget and finance Intergovernmental relations Workshops and outreach
Most studies are carried out under the direction of project panels which consist primarily of elected academy fellows. Recent studies include: Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement: Strategic Organizational Assessment (March 2017) Agricultural Research Service: Review of Administrative and Financial Management Services (February 2017) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Improving CDC’s Executive Recruitment, Performance Management, Compensation and On Boarding Processes (February 2017) Federal Aviation Administration: Personnel Reform Effectiveness Assessment (January 2017)