What is HESI?
The ILSI Health and Environmental Sciences Institute (HESI) is a non-profit scientific organization that brings together scientists from around the world from industry, regulatory agencies and other governmental institutions, academia, and other research organizations (the “tripartite” approach) to address and reach consensus on scientific questions that have the potential to be resolved through creative application of intellectual and financial resources. HESI was established in 1989 to provide an international forum to advance the understanding of scientific issues related to human health, toxicology, risk assessment, and the environment. In 2002, HESI was recognized by the United States government as a publicly supported, tax-exempt organization, independently chartered from ILSI.
How does HESI work?
HESI’s scientific programs are conducted by committees that organize, support, and execute collaborative laboratory research programs, workshops, conferences, literature reviews, the development and analysis of databases, etc. These committees disseminate the products of their activities through peer-reviewed journals, monographs, scientific symposia and posters, and other print- and web-based publications.
Who is eligible for membership in HESI?
Corporate membership in HESI is open to business entities that are producers of pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, agricultural and other industrial chemicals, paper products, personal care and household products, food and beverages, communications products, transportation products, or energy products, or of ingredients or containers used in, or in connection with these products. Providers of scientific and technical services used in the safety testing or production of these products or in the assessment of the human health and environmental safety of these products are also eligible. Membership dues are based on annual worldwide sales of the joining organization. Individuals and trade associations are not eligible for HESI membership.
If I am in the public sector, how can I get involved with HESI?
Individual scientists from the academic sector, government agencies, research institutions, non-profit organizations, or foundations may participate on HESI committees, expert groups, steering committees, and/or as advisors and trustees to the former or to the HESI Board of Trustees. There is no cost to public sector individuals who wish to engage as active participants in HESI programs. Public organizations (academic, nonprofit, or government) are also encouraged to actively partner with HESI to provide joint leadership and/or funding or resource-sharing for programs.
What are the benefits of participating in HESI?
HESI’s scientific programs offer a unique opportunity to collaborate with leading scientists in industry, academia, and the public regulatory and research sectors. The convergence of pooled intellectual and financial resources with diverse experience and perspectives provides a platform for the generation of cutting-edge science that is responsive to today’s most pressing research and application needs. HESI’s programs are repeatedly cited as singular forums for addressing complex issues in toxicology and risk assessment.
If I join HESI, can I select the activities in which I participate?
Member companies may opt to join as many HESI subcommittees, project committees or technical committees as they wish. HESI members may participate on Emerging Issues subcommittees at no charge (above the annual HESI membership contribution). HESI members may participate on technical committees and project committees by paying the annual assessment fee associated with that committee. Scientists from the public sector are invited to participate on any HESI committee at no charge. Interested parties should contact the scientific project manager for more information on engaging in a specific activity.
What are my responsibilities as a member of HESI?
Active engagement in one or more HESI subcommittees, project committees, or technical committees is strongly encouraged. Involvement in HESI’s scientific programs typically requires participation in teleconferences and attendance at project meetings. Participants may also provide ‘in-kind’ contributions in the form of leadership, technical writing, serving as speakers or representatives of the project at external scientific forums, data sharing, and/or participation in novel experimental or research programs.
How do HESI activities benefit science?
HESI’s annual issue identification process ensures that the organization addresses issues of importance to a broad and constantly evolving scientific community. The outcomes of all HESI scientific programs are made publicly available, usually in the peer-reviewed literature. Additionally, as a result of HESI’s multi-sector approach to scientific issue identification and resolution, HESI projects often result in new and creative approaches to complex issues.
How does HESI identify issue areas and create new committees?
There are several mechanisms for identification and adoption of new scientific programs at HESI. First, new issue areas are identified via an annual survey of the HESI membership and a broad cross-section of the international scientific community (HESI’s “Emerging Issues Survey”). Anyone is welcome and encouraged to submit a proposed topic. All topics are reviewed and prioritized by HESI’s Emerging Issues Steering Committee. Topics given the highest priority (based on relevance to the HESI mission, potential for scientific impact, uniqueness, and achievability) are presented for consideration at the HESI Annual Meeting. These priority proposals are then submitted to the HESI constituency for prioritization and voting. Based on the results of voting, the EISC selects one emerging issue for initiation each year. New activities are initiated as Emerging Issues subcommittees, and participation on these activities is open to all current HESI members at no additional charge. Funding is provided by HESI during the first year of an EI subcommittee’s existence; limited matching funding is provided during the second year. Beyond year two, the project must be funded entirely by participant dollars if participants choose to continue. An alternate and more rapid project initiation mechanism is the Resources at Initiation (RAI) process. RAI proposals may be submitted for approval to the HESI Board of Trustees, and potentially initiated at any point in the year, but require committed participant funding at the outset and must be consistent with HESI’s mission and objectives. Finally, projects relating to ongoing scientific committee missions can be initiated within the context of the existing committee structure with the support of the committee’s membership.
How does HESI ensure the scientific integrity and neutrality of its scientific programs and publications?
HESI is committed to undertaking only high quality, technically rigorous research, publications, and activities. HESI is also committed to transparency and a Code of Ethics, and requires a disclosure of any conflicts of interest. Our combined approach of engaging credible, scientific experts and obtaining a range of perspectives from the public and private sectors results in balanced and sound science. A rigorous internal peer review process is overseen by the HESI Board of Trustees prior to submission of committee papers, reports, etc., to the peer-reviewed literature.
Where does HESI receive its funding?
Private sector member organizations provide primary financial support for HESI programs, but HESI also receives financial and in-kind support from a variety of U.S. and international public sector regulatory and research agencies.
How is HESI Governed?
HESI’s Board of Trustees reflects the organization’s role as a global scientific organization, with representatives from Europe, Japan and the U.S. Our 31 trustees (e.g., 16 public & 15 private) also reflect our commitment to the “tripartite” approach representing academia, government and industry.
