The NAE is governed by its Council, consisting of 6 officers and 12 councillors elected by NAE members. The immediate past president and immediate past chair serve on the Council for one year after the end of their terms. The president of the National Academy of Sciences serves as a member of the NAE Council ex officio.
NAE program initiatives are reviewed and approved by the Council on the recommendations of NAE member advisory boards, such as the Program Advisory Committee and the Committee on Engineering Education. In this way, the NAE membership guides the selection, evaluation, and execution of programs.