ALAN T. WATERMAN 



universities, and a solution to the problem of science-depart- 

 ment support at educational institutions, which is needed to 

 balance the volume of basic research support provided selec- 

 tively. 



Among the most important issues of the future will un- 

 doubtedly be the needs and pressures for dealing with special 

 areas of research, presently typified by atmospheric physics, 

 oceanography, and materials research. In many of these areas, 

 research will be required to help solve development problems, 

 while in others it will be chiefly significant to the progress of 

 science itself. The manner of handling these problems and the 

 correlation and collaboration among industry, government, and 

 universities will require careful thought. At present, the best 

 strategy would seem to be the evaluation of each such proposal 

 on its individual merits, and it is likely that a considerable 

 degree of experimentation in administrative and organizational 

 handling will be profitable. 



The federal government is now better prepared than ever 

 before for the consideration of such matters because, in addi- 

 tion to the interested departments and agencies, there is the 

 new Federal Council for Science and Technology, recently 

 established by the President; the Special Assistant to the Presi- 

 dent for Science and Technology, Dr. Killian, in the White 

 House; and the very active President's Science Advisory Com- 

 mittee. 



Responsibilities for science matters in the federal govern- 

 ment can be described as follows: With respect to the role of 

 the federal government in the support of basic research, the 

 National Science Foundation with its National Science Board 

 has the primary responsibility for dealing with policy concern- 

 ing federal support of basic research throughout the country. 

 The Federal Council for Science and Technology deliberates 

 on matters of policy coordination and future planning among 

 federal agencies and makes recommendations to the President. 



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