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ISSUES FOR THE 1990S & BEYOND 26 How can the scientific literacy of U.S. citizens be advanced? Ultimately, national research priorities are greatly influenced by the concerns and perceived needs of citizens and their elected officials. The quality of those decisions depends, in large part, on an awareness of current scientific knowledge, an understanding of scientific methods, and an appreciation for the fiscal and organizational requirements of research. What improvements can be made to the nation's education system to increase scientific and technical literacy among the citizenry? Are other methods available to increase effective and informed judgments on new scientific and engineering opportunities and their public policy implications? What role should educated lay audiences play in academic research? How can tensions be abated between those who perform research and those who influence public policy and, hence, research funding? FUNDING ACADEMIC RESEARCH How can sufficient resources for academic research be assured? The federal budget deficit and national reluctance to raise taxes indicate that all institutions that rely on substantial infusions of federal moneys for program funding will face increased difficulties in the 1990s. Coupled with the rising costs of research, the situation looms particularly arduous for research universities. Should growth in funding for academic research be proportionate to growth in the nation's economy? How long can the past decade's high growth rate in academic research funds be sustained? What are the proper funding roles and responsibilities for the various sponsors of academic researchâfederal, state, and local agencies, industry, philanthropy, and the universities themselves? With multi-sponsor funding, how can meeting all enterprise needsâsalaries, equipment, and facilitiesâbe ensured? What is the appropriate balance between federal and non-federal funding levels. What is the appropriate balance between direct funding mechanisms and indirect mechanisms such as tax policy? How should resources be allocated among competing national research objectives? New opportunities and demands for academic research occur with increasing frequency and intensity. This circumstance, coupled with growth of the number of institutions with basic research capacity, will pose difficult problems for allocating the finite research dollars that are available. What methods should be used for setting funding priorities in research? How should the nation allocate resources between continuing investment in traditional research programs and underwriting new scientific approaches and combinations?