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The Department of Energy (DOE) has contracted with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to perform a study and report findings and recommendations on the current status and development of a long-term strategy for low-dose radiation research in the United States. Objectives of the study are to:

1. Define the health and safety issues that need to be guided by an improved understanding of low-dose and low-dose-rate radiation health effects.
2. Identify current scientific challenges for understanding low-dose and low-dose-rate radiation health effects.
3. Assess the status of current low-dose radiation research nationally and internationally.
4. Recommend a long-term strategic and prioritized research agenda to (1) address research goals to overcome identified scientific challenges in coordination with other research efforts and (2) support education and outreach activities to disseminate information and promote public understanding of low-dose radiation.
5. Define the essential components of the research program that would address this research agenda within the universities and national laboratories.
6. Address needed coordination between federal agencies and with international efforts to achieve objectives.
7. Identify and, if possible, quantify potential monetary and health-related impacts to federal agencies, the general public, industry, research communities, and other users of information produced by such a research program.

The National Academies expect to prepare a report by April 2022 with findings and recommendations that address the objectives above. Health Physics Society (HPS) members who are interested in serving on the study committee may self-nominate by contacting Dr. Ourania Kosti, project leader, or via an online nomination form. If you decide to submit your name, please contact HPS Federal Agency Liaison Craig Little so we can support your candidacy.