I. INTRODUCTION 



This study is intended to provide a concise, historical overview of 

 the policy issues and debates that helped to shape the relationship 

 between government and science in the United States since 1940. 

 Because the report addresses the development of national science 

 policy, its focus is on Washington and the policies established 

 within the Executive agencies and Congress. The report pays spe- 

 cial attention to the evolution of science policy planning mecha- 

 nisms, along with the ongoing development of Executive agency sci- 

 ence programs and the periodic attempts to coordinate the nation's 

 overall research efforts. 1 



When the House Committee on Science and Technology estab- 

 lished its Task Force on Science Policy in the fall of 1984, it was 

 decided that the Task Force would limit its inquiry to issues relat- 

 ing to basic and applied research. 2 This decision was made for 

 practical reasons and in full recognition that a broader definition 

 of science policy would also encompass policies for technological de- 

 velopment. Because this history was written as one of several back- 

 ground reports for the Task Force, it, too, will use the more limited 

 definition of science policy, thereby concerning itself primarily 

 with Government support and encouragement of basic and applied 

 research. 



Congress plays a special role in allocating money to science be- 

 cause its legislative committees are responsible for setting the 

 budgetary constraints for the various Federal research programs. 

 Incentives and disincentives established by the Federal Govern- 

 ment — such as tax credits — also play a major role in the nation's 

 science policy by influencing the amount of support given science 

 by the private sector. Because Federal support of science has mush- 

 roomed since World War II, such budget decisions have had pro- 

 found effects upon the conduct of basic and applied research in this 

 country. 



Science policy also involves Government programs for the devel- 

 opment and training of scientific personnel. These programs in- 

 clude fellowship and grant support for both graduate students and 

 postdoctorals. In addition, science policy encompasses broader edu- 

 cational policy, especially the support of institutions of higher edu- 

 cation. The building and equipping of laboratories are part of this 

 policy. Moreover, science policy includes the controls, safeguards, 



1 It is not the purpose of this study to provide a narrative history of the internal development 

 of science, the growth of scientific research institutions, or the achievements of individual Amer- 

 ican scientists since World War II. Nor is it the intent of this study to address the history of 

 policy for engineering development or technology. The focus is on policy for basic and applied 

 research, recognizing that such policy is at times closely linked with technology policy. 



2 See U.S. Congress, House Committee on Science and Technology, Task Force on Science 

 Policy, An Agenda for a Study of Government Science Policy (98th Congress, 2nd session. Wash- 

 ington: GPO, 1985), pp. 2-3. 



(1) 



