which the Report considers. It is through basic research in biology, bio- 

 chemistry and other sciences, for example, that the solutions to major disease 

 problems are to be reached. Basic research is necessary to national defense 

 if the United States is not to find itself fighting the next war with weapons 

 merely improved from the last. Economic growth and the development of 

 new products in industry are dependent upon rich resources of basic knowl- 

 edge. And finally, knowledge of the methods and techniques of basic research 

 is essential to the training and full development of skilled research 

 investigators. 



In the years since Science, the Endless Frontier was written, there has been 

 an increased awareness on the part of the Government of the importance of 

 basic research as shown by a steady trend upward in the amount of Federal 

 funds for basic research and by an increase in the number and diversity of 

 Government sources bv which such support is furnished. I lowexer, the per- 

 centage of funds available for basic research has failed to increase in relation 

 to total Federal funds for research and development — remaining somewhere 

 between 6 and 7 per cent for a number of years. 



In short, all the problems relating to the understanding and nurture of basic 

 research in this country have not been solved. The general public is still far 

 from a true understanding of the nature of basic research and of the funda- 

 mental difference between science and technology. The evidence suggests 

 that industry could profitably support a larger basic research effort both in 

 its ov^rn laboratories and in the form of extramural support for colleges and 

 universities. The relative proportion of Federal research and development 

 funds between basic research and applied research and development has not 

 achieved a completely desirable balance. These matters will be considered in 

 somewhat greater detail further on under the discussion of the National 

 Science Foundation. 



Research Within the Government 



Science, the Endless Frontier notes that research within the Government 

 is an important part of our total research activity and urges that it be strength- 

 ened and expanded. In particular, it cites the need for revision of personnel 

 practices and procedures in order to place the Government in a more advan- 

 tageous position in competing with industries and the universities for first- 

 class scientific talent. 



Some progress has been made toward carrying out these recommendations. 

 A series of legislative acts has created an excepted category for scientific per- 

 sonnel, authorized the Federal agencies to pay travel expenses to posts of duty, 

 and provided opportunity for scientific and professional employees to take 

 leave with pay, for educational and training purposes. Changes in adminis- 

 trative attitudes have brought about an improved climate of opinion in Gov- 

 ernment laboratories which has resulted in increased opportunity and funds 

 for Government scientists to engage in basic research. Publication in scien- 

 tific journals is encouraged, and the payment of travel expenses to enable 

 Government employees to attend scientific meetings is now rather generally 

 accepted as right and necessary. 



ix 



