A Plan for Research in The United States

Abstract

THE report of Dr. Vannebar Bush, director of the Office of Scientific Research and Development, to the President of the United States, now published under the title "Science—the Endless Frontier"*, was prepared in response to President Roosevelt's letter of November 17, 1944, asking for recommendations on four specific points. The four questions asked were, first, what could be done, consistent with military security, and with the prior approval of the military authorities, to make known to the world as soon as possible the contributions which have been made during the war effort to scientific knowledge; second, with particular reference to the war against disease, what could be done to organize a future programme of work in medicine and related sciences; third, what could the Government do to aid research activities by public and private organizations; and fourth, could an effective programme be proposed for discovering and developing scientific talent in American youth, so as to ensure the continuance of scientific research on a level comparable to that attained during the War. In his letter of transmittal, Dr. Bush states that he interpreted these questions to relate to the natural sciences, including biology and medicine, and the report includes as appendixes the reports of the distinguished committees on which Dr. Bush called for advice and on the findings of which his own recommendations are based.