had such funding programs in the past de- 

 cade and would like them again. The past 

 programs provide models on which similar 

 but more effective programs could be based. 

 The shift away from basic to applied work. 

 Many respondents commented and expressed 

 concern about selection of short-term over 

 long-term projects, and low-risk projects 

 over riskier fundamental research. Some 

 agency research managers object to such 

 shifts in emphasis in their own laboratories 

 as well as in the universities. 



Concern from Outside the Agencies 



Three recent reports relate to and in most re- 

 spects are consistent with the above concerns 

 expressed by the agencies. They are the Smith- 

 Karlesky report .^ the Eighth Annual Report of the 

 National Science Board,'' and the Report of the 

 Defense Science Board. ^ 



Smith and Karlesky observe that there is a 

 weakening of the financial base of the universities 

 due to recent national economic trends. This, they 

 predict, will pose problems for future research 

 activity in these institutions. Their other findings 

 include: 



• A notable shift away from basic research to 

 applied and mission-oriented research, and 

 from risk-taking to relatively safe and more 

 predictable lines of inquiry; 



• Neglect of less highly ranked research uni- 

 versities and departments, a trend which may 

 also affect leading university research centers 

 in the years ahead; 



• Slowing down of the strong momentum of 

 America's basic science research effort and 

 the training of young scientists; 



• Strained relations between Federal and State 

 governments and the universities, which 

 impedes scientific effectiveness; 



• Narrowing of the number of first-rank re- 

 search centers, leaving the national research 

 system more stratified and less pluralistic; 



• An atmosphere of rapid change surrounding 

 important choices about the research role of 

 the universities in the next decade. 



■•Smith, Bruce L. R. and Joseph J. Karlesky, 77ie Stale of 

 Academic Science: The Universities in the Nation's Research 

 Effort (Change Magazine Press: New York. 1977). 



-Science at the Bicentennial - A Report from the Research 

 Community. Report of the National Science Board/1976 (GPO: 

 Washington. 1976). 



''Report of the Defense Science Board Summer Study Group 

 on Fundamental Research in Universities, Office of the Direc- 

 tor of Defense Research and Engineering (Department of De- 

 fense, October 1976). 



In the National Science Board's Eighth Annual 

 Report, administrators and officials of Federal 

 laboratories and agencies as well as persons from 

 industry and universities concerned with research 

 were surveyed on the critical issues facing science 

 in the foreseeable future. The four dominant is- 

 sues that emerged were; 



• dependability and stability of funding; 



• vitality of the research system and the man- 

 power supply; 



• freedom to conduct basic research and unfet- 

 tered investigations and freedom from the 

 pressure to do applied research; and 



• lack of public confidence in science and tech- 

 nology. 



The Report of the Defense Science Board con- 

 cludes that several types of institutional funding 

 should be implemented. In transmitting this report 

 to the Secretary of Defense, Dr. Solomon J. 

 Buchsbaum, Chairman of the Defense Science 

 Board, notes 



.... a need for the Department of Defense to 

 reestablish and stimulate its relationship with 

 the university science community. . . 



and adds that, "a major source of new innovative 

 ideas for future defense needs resides in our uni- 

 versity community." Buchsbaum notes that many 

 of the concerns and recommendations are very 

 similar to those expressed in the National Science 

 Board's report. 



Research Environment 



Nothing paralleling the university situation in 

 shortage, obsolescence, and disrepair of equip- 

 ment (as noted by Smith and Karlesky) was re- 

 ported for the Federal laboratories by the agen- 

 cies (for such items as computers, laboratory 

 staff, supplies, equipment and central shops, and 

 administrative services). The agencies generally 

 feel that equipment and support staff are ade- 

 quate; however, they worry about position limita- 

 tions that result in too few scientists and technol- 

 ogists to accomplish their missions fully. In con- 

 trast, universities have more students and investi- 

 gators ready to do research in some areas than are 

 now involved or supported. In summary, the 

 universities are long on people and short on sup- 

 port and facilities. Just the reverse seems to be 

 true for Federal laboratories. 



The universities, it should be noted, face a spe- 

 cial problem in undertaking Federal R&D grant 

 projects. The grant budget is confined to the pro- 

 ject and for the most part must largely be spent 

 according to itemized budget lines, such as travel, 

 supplies, salaries, and equipment. Once allocated, 



259 



AGENCY SUPPORT OF BASIC RESEARCH IN UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES 



