BASIC RESEARCH IN THE UNITED STATES 



requirements and aceountability for research equipment. The 

 government is quite aware that research and development 

 efforts, whether by contract or through grant, cannot and 

 should not be regulated and administered like a procurement 

 contract, for example. It is worth noting that recently the 

 Congress has provided authority to all federal agencies to make 

 grants for basic research and also to transfer title to equipment 

 provided under basic research grants to the grantee. 



Summary 



J 



In summary, research in the United States has great in- 

 herent strength and versatility, and, in comparison with other 

 countries, is especially strong in industry-related programs. A 

 nationwide program in support of basic research by the federal 

 government has been established, aimed at progress in science 

 along lines laid down by the scientists themselves. This pro- 

 gram includes, as an important component, basic research in 

 support of areas of research and development underlying the 

 missions of individual federal agencies. Basic research is also 

 conducted vigorously by a number of leading industries, many 

 of which provide support to universities and other research 

 establishments, chiefly in areas of interest to them. Colleges 

 and universities continue to constitute the principal centers of 

 basic research activity. 



The evidence is, however, that basic research in the 

 United States should be more strongly supported at colleges 

 and universities, in order to strengthen our future technology 

 by the progress made on the frontiers of science, in order to 

 retain highly competent staff, and to assure high quality train- 

 ing of a great number of young scientists and engineers. 



Outstanding problems to be met include: provision for 

 renovation of research laboratories, provision of up-to-date sci- 

 entific equipment for research and instruction at colleges and 



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