BASIC RESEARCH IN THE UNITED STATES 



uncommitted investigator, in an atmosphere or academic free- 

 dom, can pursue his individual researches without reference 

 to practical objectives. In recent years, however, the universi- 

 ties have been subjected to new pressures in the form of the 

 government's need for a wide variety of so-called contract 

 research. In both the scientific community and the federal 

 government, concern has been expressed lest outside demands 

 for the solution of pressing practical problems jeopardize the 

 university's traditional role of education and free research. The 

 National Science Foundation found it desirable to make a 

 special study of the situation, which was published last year 

 under the title, "Government-University Relationships in Fed- 

 erally Sponsored Scientific Research and Development." This 

 study notes that: 



In certain specialized fields, such as engineering, agriculture, 

 and medicine, applied research is frequently closely related to 

 educational objectives. Federal support of applied research projects 

 in these fields appears to present no fundamental problem in terms 

 of interference with the traditional functions of colleges and uni- 

 versities. However, with such exceptions noted, . . . Federal agen- 

 cies [should] consider other alternatives before establishing large- 

 scale applied research and development projects (particularly those 

 concerned with development and testing) within institutions of 

 higher learning. Such alternatives would include: (a) Federal 

 laboratories; (h~) industrial or other private laboratories; and (c) 

 research centers organizational^ separated from the institution 

 proper. 



The question of preserving the basic research functions of 

 our universities is a fundamental one. So long as our univer- 

 sities are unable to obtain adequate funds for the support of 

 their normal activities, they may be tempted to supplement 

 their regular budgets by contract funds, and possibly in so 

 doing, to undertake projects and programs to meet needs other 

 than strictly scientific and educational. This means that teach- 



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