39 
started at different times. Consequently, centers that began early had early 
access to available fund&2/and were well along in their development when later 
centers were still putting up their buildings. As the level of the annual 
appropriations did not rise in the years 1963, 1964, 1965, and 1966, it was 
not possible for NIH to provide sufficient funds for the full developn^nt of 
the centers, particularly those that were started later. Additional opera- 
tional funds appropriated in fiscal 1967 were not sufficient to implement 
earlier recommendations, causing some local problems at the center sites. 
(2) Because of the character of the research program at the National Center 
for Primate Biology, with its emphasis on animal husbandry, additional con- 
struction is needed to provide outdoor housing for the primates. The absence 
of authority for construction and the unavailability of non-matching construc- 
tion funds in the primate center program constitute impediments to the full 
development of this center. The same problem of needed construction also 
prevails at some of the other centers, for example at New Orleans (Covington, 
Louisiana ) . 
(3) A financial problem stems from the impact upon a center by the addition 
of research projects supported by grants to members of the core staff or the 
addition of special projects carried on in a center by visiting scientists. 
In either case, certain costs of providing necessary facilities and services, 
such as animals and animal caretaker services, may be paid for by funds in the 
center's basic grant, A problem is created when these demands upon the base 
grant exceed what that grant can provide. The administrative problem is to 
increase the base grant, when necessary, if appropriations are insufficient^/. 
(4) A problem exists with regard to the national scientific advisory boards^'^ 
that, according to initial agreements, were to be set up to periodically 
review the broad aspects of a center's program and advise the principal inves- 
tigator. Not all of these advisory boards have been established; however, 
when one is set up, there is a question concerning its usefulness. A "rubber 
stamp" committee is of little use and a hypercritical one is not most effec- 
tive. The specific role of such a group has not been worked out. A pertinent 
question is whether the advisory function might be performed more effectively 
by periodic evaluation visits by members of the Primate Research Centers 
Advisory Committee. To a considerable degree this committee has been providing 
advice that ultimately goes to the director of a center and to the principal 
investigator. 
1/ These could not be held over past the fiscal appropriation year for the 
use of the centers beginning later. 
_3/ The Animal Resources Branch, DRFR, has found it necessary to establish a 
limitation of 25 percent of the total operational budget on the amount of 
additional grant support; to exceed this PHS approval is required. 
4/ Committee, Board, Council-- the name varies. 
