LEE A. DUBRIDGE 



Nongovernment Support 



What, then, about the nongovernment sources of support 

 for research in private universities? 



The problems here are many, but, though they are not 

 easy, they are not impossible. Granted that the government 

 will continue to support a substantial share of university re- 

 search — especially the large and expensive projects — private 

 funds still play a critical role. Individuals, corporations and 

 foundations should continue and expand their contributions to 

 endowment funds, operating funds and building funds. Private 

 sources are free to follow the theory that the strength of the basic 

 research program in this nation is primarily dependent on the 

 strength of the institutions that carry on such research. Hence, 

 the most important way to finance research is to finance the 

 institutions — to provide what they need in order to acquire 

 facilities, pay adequate faculty salaries, and maintain the plant 

 in order to attract and support the best research people. Espe- 

 cially is it important to provide the long-term support essential 

 to a real scholarly atmosphere in which new ideas are likely to 

 thrive. New ideas must be born before clever and startling 

 research proposals can be submitted to the government. Private 

 funds, wisely given, can enhance the intellectual ferment in our 

 great centers of learning and thus create the environment in 

 which new ideas will arise. 



I would not be honest if I did not point out that there are 

 also troubles in the administration of private funds for research. 

 The indirect costs for privately sponsored research are just as 

 great as for government sponsorship. As I have already sug- 

 gested, the universities have found it embarrassing to pass the 

 hat elsewhere for these costs. So they have done two things: 

 ( i ) sought more funds — given largely on an annual basis — 

 for "unrestricted" purposes (i.e., to raise salaries and pay over- 



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