across all sectors and transcending parochial interests, as to what the major 

 problems are. The second was the intensity of concern about these problems 

 and about the prospects for science in the immediate future. 



The principal areas of common concern were these: dependability of 

 funding for research; the maintaining of vitality in the research system; 

 freedom in research; and current attitudes toward science and technology. 



This Report contains chapters on each of the four areas of concern. In 

 these chapters the Report relies almost wholly on direct quotation of the 

 respondents, without interpretation. This method reflects the belief of the 

 Board that systematic discussion of the respondents' independent views as 

 given and of additional views still to be sought must be carried out before 

 there can be general agreement on solutions and how best to put them into 

 effect. In the coming months the Board plans to initiate further discussions 

 with the science community and the general public. Regional Forums under 

 the auspices of the Board will beheld indifferent parts of the country. At those 

 meetings, issues of the kind brought out here will be discussed with 

 organizations in science and other public groups, with this Report serving as a 

 basic document. 



The commonality of judgment and the intensity of concern which 

 distinguish the responses in this Report give promise that these discussions 

 will be a forceful stimulus for thought and action. 



The Board is deeply grateful for the insights contributed by its 

 respondents. Responses were received between midsummer and midautumn 

 1975. No attempt was made to update those responses which in one detail or 

 another may have been overtaken by developments since then. 



