(1) Whatever the extent of support may be, there must be stability of 

 funds over a period of years so that long-range programs may be undertaken. 



(2) The agencv to administer such funds should be composed of citizens 

 selected only on the basis of their interest in and capacity to promote the 

 work of the agency. They should be persons of broad interest in and under- 

 standing of the peculiarities of scientific research and education. 



(3) The agency should promote research through contracts or grants to 

 organizations outside the Federal Government. It should not operate any 

 laboratories of its own. 



(4) Support of basic research in the public and private colleges, uni- 

 versities, and research institutes must leave the internal control of policy, 

 personnel, and the method and scope of the research to the institutions 

 themselves. This is of the utmost importance. 



(5) While assuring complete independence and freedom for the nature, 

 scope, and methodology of research carried on in the institutions receiving 

 public funds, and while retaining discretion in the allocation of funds among 

 such institutions, the Foundation proposed herein must be responsible to the 

 President and the Congress. Only through such responsibility can we main- 

 tain the proper relationship between science and other aspects of a democratic 

 system. The usual controls of audits, reports, budgeting, and the like, should, 

 of course, apply to the administrative and fiscal operations of the Foundation, 

 subject, however, to such adjustments in procedure as are necessary to meet 

 the special requirements of research. 



Basic research is a long-term process — it ceases to be basic if immediate 

 results are expected on short-term support. Methods should therefore be 

 found which will permit the agency to make commitments of funds from 

 current appropriations for programs of five years duration or longer. Conti- 

 nuity and stability of the program and its support may be expected (a) from 

 the growing realization by the Congress of the benefits to the public from 

 scientific research, and (1?) from the conviction which will grow among 

 those who conduct research under the auspices of the agency that good 

 quality work will be followed by continuing support. 



Military Research 



As stated earlier in this report, military preparedness requires a permanent, 

 independent, civilian-controlled organization, having close Haison with the 

 Army and Navy, but with funds direct from Congress and the clear power 

 to initiate military research which will supplement and strengthen that 

 carried on directly under the control of the Army and Navy. As a temporary 

 measure the National Academy of Sciences has established the Research 

 Board for National Security at the request of the Secretary of War and the 

 Secretarv of the Navy. This is highly desirable in order that there may be 

 no interruption in the relations between scientists and military men after 

 the emergencv wartime Office of Scientific Research and Development goes 

 out of existence. The C'ongress is now considering legislation to provide 

 funds for this Board by direct appropriation. 



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