Frequently Asked Questions

The Health and Environmental Sciences Institute (HESI) is an independently incorporated 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. HESI’s offices are located in Washington, DC, but we operate with members and program partners throughout the world.

HESI’s scientific initiatives are primarily supported by the in-kind contributions from public- and private-sector participants of time, expertise, and experimental effort. These contributions are supplemented by grants from governments and foundations, as well as direct funding from participating organizations that primarily supports program infrastructure and management.

In 2019, HESI broadened its funding base with awards of more than $3 million in multi-year government grants. HESI’s 2020 projected revenue is anticipated to come from the following sources: grants (27%), committee dues (46%), and corporate sponsorship (27%).

HESI is governed by a Board of Trustees, which is required to have an equal or greater number of Trustees from academia or other public institutions as those from HESI’s corporate supporters. This rule is in place to ensure a public-private balance of scientific perspective and experience.

The Board of Trustees is responsible for setting and enforcing organizational policies, setting scientific direction, and ensuring scientific integrity and financial transparency.

HESI achieves its mission through a variety of ways:

• Creating a collaborative environment where scientists from academia, government, industry, NGOs, and other strategic partners come together to find solutions that improve health and environmental safety.
• Encouraging the development of meaningful studies that ask the right questions, structure the right framework, and develop solutions that inform decision-making by both private- and public-sector scientists.
• Creating a knowledge base that can be easily transferred from the laboratory or journal page to real life.

HESI’s long-term scientific programs, organizational strategies, and day-to-day operations are managed by a dedicated group of talented scientific professionals. With decades of experience and credentials ranging from master’s degrees to specialized PhDs, HESI staff is integral to its ongoing success.

HESI does not directly represent any of the sectors or entities that participate in HESI programs and does not lobby on their behalf. HESI’s Antitrust Policy and Code of Ethics strictly prohibits any form of lobby activity. While HESI advocates the use of science in making decisions that affect human and environmental health, it does not make policy recommendations or seek to influence legislative outcomes toward a particular decision.

New participation is coordinated via HESI’s scientific program management staff. Contact information for the relevant staff person for each HESI committee is available via the website or by sending an email to hesi@hesiglobal.org. Please indicate your program of interest, relevant expertise, and contact information.