Federal support of biomedical research in American universities.

Abstract

IT IS NOT THE intent of this brief paper to describe in detail governmentuniversity relationship. This has been done by a number of excellent reports, most recent one being from Committee on Science, Engineering and Public Policy of National Academy of Science, National Academy of Engineering and Institute of Medicine (National Academy of Science, 1983). In addition, American Assembly (1983) has published a brief summary of their 1983 meeting concerned with Improving American Innovation, a topic that has attracted great interest among industries and various research universities. Historically is important to remember that federal government was not heavily involved in support of basic research in universities before World War II except in field of agriculture. During World War II universities and federal government, for national security reasons, were brought together as research partners to deal with specific problem-oriented projects that were considered of value to our global efforts during war. The Office of Scientific Research and Development (OSRD) was established to coordinate and fund this program. The Office of Naval Research (ONR) and other federal agencies added significant funds to universities to support this effort. Following war, was recognized that extensive support for basic and applied research by federal government, particularly at universities, would be of great value for nation's well-being. The support of basic research at universities was deemed to be of particular importance because formed necessary framework for training of new scholars and researchers who would man a greater effort, not only in universities, but in industry and federal government as well. The long-range ideas for this partnership were presented in 1945 by Vannevar Bush, war-time Director of OSRD and later President of Carnegie Institution of Washington, in Science, Endless Frontier. The report stated that the government should accept new responsibilities for promoting flow of new scientific knowledge and development of scientific talent in our youth. These responsibilities are proper concern of government, for they vitally affect our health, our jobs, and our national security. It is in keeping also with basic United States policy that government should foster opening of new frontiers and this is modern way to do it (Preface). Although there have been many studies and reports on relationship of federal government and university research, statement by Bush is probably closest to a national policy for science. Until National Science Foundation (NSF) was established, Office of Naval Research expanded its support for research in universities. From 1950 to mid60s, total federal support for universities expanded annually at about 15 per cent. This tremendous growth led to expansion of research efforts in all areas of science in exist-