Technology and cybersecurity

Executive Order 13539: President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology

President: Barack Obama

Re-established PCAST to give the President outside scientific and technical advice and fulfill statutory advisory roles.

Status: Revoked — by EO 13895 in 2019.

Is Executive Order 13539 still in effect? No. EO 13895 revoked it in 2019.

What does Executive Order 13539 do?

EO 13539 created a council of nonfederal experts plus the White House science adviser, with Energy providing support. PCAST advised on research, innovation, technology, education and national security and served statutory computing and nanotechnology functions. EO 13895 revoked this charter in 2019.

Later evidence reviewed September 23, 2026: A new order created the current PCAST. Federal Register — 2025 PCAST order. This later record documents the stated step; it does not by itself establish every downstream agency action or legal outcome.

Administration position: PCAST made recommendations; it did not fund research, regulate technology or bind agencies.
SignedApril 21, 2010
MembershipUp to 21 members
Support agencyDepartment of Energy
RevokedEO 13895 on October 22, 2019

Before and after

Before the order

The prior PCAST charter had lapsed at the presidential transition.

After the order

Outside experts produced public reports and advice across science and technology policy.

Who had to do what

Agency / officeActionTiming / position
PCASTAdvise and report to the PresidentEnded under this charter
Science adviserCo-chair and coordinate workEnded under this charter
Energy DepartmentProvide supportMoved to successor charters

What happened next

EO 13539 established PCAST.

EO 13895 revoked it.

A new order created the current PCAST.