President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology
This executive order establishes the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST) to provide the President with scientific and technical guidance on policy related to science, technology, education, and innovation. The council is limited to 24 members (plus the APST and the Special Advisor for AI & Crypto as co-chairs), with non-federal members appointed by the President. It designates the APST and the Special Advisor for AI & Crypto as co-chairs and allows the possible inclusion of the U.S. Chief Technology Officer as a member if the APST also serves as OSTP Director. PCAST is tasked with advising on policy to inform the economy, workers, national security, and other topics, and it can also serve in capacities defined by existing laws (e.g., as the Innovation and Technology Advisory Committee and as the National Nanotechnology Advisory Panel). The order authorizes the Department of Energy to provide funding and support, permits the creation of subcommittees, and allows for security clearances for classified work. PCAST will terminate two years after the date of the order unless extended, and the order revokes prior related orders. Key administrative and governance details include that members serve without compensation (though they may receive travel expenses), information may be requested from executive agencies, and the order is to be implemented in a manner consistent with applicable law and appropriations. It also clarifies that the order does not confer new legal rights and it revokes EO 14007 and EO 14109.
Key Points
- 1Establishment and structure
- 2- Creates the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST), capped at 24 members.
- 3- APST and the Special Advisor for AI & Crypto serve as co-chairs; up to two non-Federal Vice Chairs may be designated from among non-Federal members.
- 4- Non-Federal members are appointed by the President and bring diverse expertise in science, technology, education, and innovation.
- 5Roles and duties
- 6- PCAST advises the President on science, technology, education, and innovation policy and provides technical information to inform public policy.
- 7- It can act as the advisory committee identified in the High-Performance Computing Act (to be known as the President's Innovation and Technology Advisory Committee) and as the National Nanotechnology Advisory Panel under related statutes.
- 8- It also provides advice to the National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) from non-Federal sectors when requested.
- 9Administration and operations
- 10- Heads of executive departments and agencies should provide information to the PCAST when requested.
- 11- The PCAST can create standing subcommittees and ad hoc groups, including technical advisory groups.
- 12- For classified work, the Co-Chairs may seek security clearances for PCAST members and groups as needed.
- 13- Department of Energy provides required funding and administrative/technical support, within existing law and appropriations.
- 14- Members serve without compensation, but may be reimbursed for travel expenses per applicable law.
- 15Legal status and sunset
- 16- The PCAST term is two years from the date of the order unless extended by the President.
- 17- The order revokes Executive Order 14007 (2021) and EO 14109 (2023 amendments).
- 18General provisions
- 19- The order does not impair or alter existing authorities of executive departments or agencies or the Director of the OMB.
- 20- Implementation must comply with applicable law and appropriations.
- 21- The order clarifies that it does not create any enforceable rights or benefits.