National Institute of Building Sciences (NIBS)

The National Institute of Building Sciences was authorized by the U.S. Congress in the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, Public Law 93-383. In establishing the Institute, Congress recognized the need for an organization that could serve as an interface between government and the private sector. The Institute's public interest mission is to serve the Nation by supporting advances in building science and technology to improve the built environment.

Through the Institute, Congress established a public/private partnership to enable findings on technical, building-related matters to be used effectively to improve government, commerce and industry.

The Institute is a non-profit, non-governmental organization bringing together representatives of government, the professions, industry, labor and consumer interests to focus on the identification and resolution of problems and potential problems that hamper the construction of safe, affordable structures for housing, commerce and industry throughout the United States. The Institute provides an authoritative source of advice for both the private and public sector of the economy with respect to the use of building science and technology. Congress recognized that the lack of such an authoritative voice was a burden on all those who plan, design, procure, construct, use, operate, maintain and retire physical facilities, and that this burden frequently resulted from failure to take full advantage of new useful technology that could improve our living environment.

The Institute has provided the opportunity for free and open discussion of issues and problems where there was once conflict and misunderstanding between government and the private sector construction industries. The Institute brings together representatives of regulatory agencies, legislators and representatives of the private sector to open working sessions that seek a consensus solution to problems of mutual concern.