NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION 



NATIONAL SCIENCE BOARD 



WASHINGTON, D.C. 20550 



LETTER TO PRESIDENTS OR DIRECTORS OF INDEPENDENT RESEARCH INSTITUTES 



Currently the National Science Board is preparing its Eighth Annual 

 Report to the President and to the Congress. The report will concen- 

 trate on the circumstances which might affect the capacity of the 

 Nation to continue a strong position in science and technology. It 

 will attempt to identify and to study prospectively selected critical 

 problems developing in the operating research sectors — namely uni- 

 versity, industry, Government laboratories and independent research 

 institutes. The report is not as much concerned with dollar support 

 as with circumstances in the institutional, managerial or policy 

 environment which will influence the productivity of working scientists 

 and engineers. In order to identify critical problems for the inde- 

 pendent research institutes, the Committee on Eighth NSB Report is 

 seeking input from selected individuals with direct responsibility 

 for the vitality of research in independent research institutes. 



The Committee would very much appreciate learning about the two most 

 critical issues/problems facing fundamental (long term, basic) research, 

 as you see it, in the near term future. "Near term future" means 

 issues currently emerging or seen-to-be-emerging in the next decade 

 or so. For example, as you look ahead, in your capacity as President 

 of what problems do you anticipate? What 



critical issues/problems will condition scientific and technological 

 research in the independent research institute and will decrease its 

 effectiveness unless properly addressed? Would you please order 

 your issues/problems "one" and "two" and then provide a brief descriptive 

 paragraph for each? Feel free to propose resolutions or solutions. 



In the name of the National Science Board and its Committee on Eighth 

 NSB Report, I thank you for a quick reply. If at all possible, we 

 would very much appreciate having your comments within the next few 

 weeks or so. An addressed, franked envelope is enclosed. 



114 APPENDIX B 



