DEPENDABILITY IN 

 FUNDING FOR RESEARCH 



The issues constituting "Dependability in 

 Funding for Research" display two broad 

 aspects. One pertains to funding for research 

 projects, with special emphasis on continuity 

 and stability. The other involves planning and 

 policymaking in the overall management of 

 research funding at the institutional level and at 

 the national level. A principal goal of this 

 planning and policymaking is assured continui- 

 ty and stability in funding for research. 



Respondents noted that research is 

 characteristically a slow and methodical 

 process by which new knowledge is sought 

 through systematic investigations. The out- 

 come of these investigations, they emphasized, 

 cannot be predicted; the results of following a 

 lead may turn out to be negative or may indicate 

 fruitful new paths for further research. So, 

 respondents argued, the research scientist 

 ideally should be able to count on stability and 

 continuity in his research support wherever it 

 may lead. However, the present collection of 

 letters indicates that certain conditions make 

 such reliable support difficult, and in some 

 cases, impossible. The destabilizing conditions, 

 factors or situations mentioned in the letters 

 differ by research sector and by source of 

 supporting funds. Nonetheless, throughout the 

 sectors of research, respondents identified 

 uncertainty in funding as a source of problems. 

 In several cases, respondents explicitly pointed 

 out that the desire fordependable funding is not 

 just another way of asking for more money. 

 They went on to say that the continuity is more 

 important than the level of support. 



The leading issues pertaining to dependabili- 

 ty of funding for research are presented in Table 

 2-6 of Chapter 2 and are discussed below. 



Industrial responses generally noted 

 decreases in research, especially more basic 

 research, and frequently related these decreases 

 to changes in funding due to prevailing 

 economic conditions such as inflation, low 

 profits, and decreased availability of capital. 

 The industrial respondents also reported an 

 absence of policy, priorities or goals for science 

 and technology at the national level. 



Within the university sector, the issue cited 

 most often that has to do with dependability in 

 funding for research is the need for continuity 

 and stability in Government support. Multi- 

 year funding is a solution frequently proposed 

 to meet this need. University respondents also 

 frequently suggested two other means for 

 dealing with the problem of continuity and 

 stability: long-term planning for research 

 funding by the Federal Government, and 

 providing support directly to the university for 

 subsequent allocation by university officials to 

 campus research activities (a so-called in- 

 stitutional form of support). Another issue 

 frequently cited is the need for funds for 

 research equipment, instrumentation and 

 maintenance. A significant minority in the 

 university sector expressed concern about the 

 adequacy of dollar levels of funding — a subject 

 outside the preferred areas of attention 

 designated in the letter of inquiry. 



For the independent research institutes, the 

 leading concerns were the need for long-term 



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