New Arrangements for Industry-Academic Research

Abstract

The U.S. research effort can be made more effective by linking university and industrial research. Two proposals are made to this end in light of changing financial pressures and social challenges. A short-term plan would base fundamental research on campus, but couple it with industrial support. Both parties would agree on the objective and would apply jointly to the National Science Foundation for funding, which would be granted on the basis of peer review and approval. A long-term plan, based on tax credits or tax deductions, would use the same joint proposal and NSF review procedure. These proposals have the advantages that more industries could participate in research, the pluralistic approach would allow more diversification, the academic and industrial efforts would be recoupled, and more options would be opened to students. Publication, patent, and time-frame problems would develop, but could be resolved.