The
United States Institute of Peace Act defines the composition and appointment of USIP's Board of Directors as follows:
"BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Sec. 1706 (a) The powers of the Institute shall be vested in a Board of Directors unless otherwise specified in this title.
(b) The Board shall consist of fifteen voting members as follows:
- The Secretary of State (or if the Secretary so designates, another officer of the Department of State who was appointed with the advice and consent of the Senate).
- The Secretary of Defense (of if the Secretary so designates, another officer of the Department of Defense who was appointed with the advice and consent of the Senate).
- The president of the National Defense University (or if the president so designates, the vice president of the National Defense University).
- Twelve individuals appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate."