Organization of the Federal Government for Scientific Activities

This report has been prepared to provide information concerning A3528

Federal organization for scientific activities. It is hoped that publication of the information and analyses contained herein will prove useful to the various agencies of the Executive Branch of the Government, to the Congress, and to other individuals and groups interested in understanding this type of Federal organization.

The publication is one of a series which sets forth basic facts concerning the Nation's scientific research effort. They are the product of surveys and studies conducted by the National Science Foundation. Other publications in the series present analyses of the research programs and of the funds and manpower devoted to this country's scientific effort, in the broad sectors of Government, industry, and nonprofit institutions.

The contents of this publication derive from a study of Federal organization made by the National Science Foundation during 1954 and 1955. It would not have been possible without the ready cooperation of all departments and agencies having responsibilities for scientific research activities.

The report covers organization for basic, applied, and developmental research and for scientific data collection in the physical, life, and social sciences. It embraces not only organization for the conduct of research, but also for the planning and administration of research, for the training of scientific personnel, and for the dissemination of scientific information. Definitions of these and other terms used in the report are set forth in Appendix A.

There are two parts to this report. Part I reviews the history of Federal organization for science, giving special attention to developments since the 1947 report to the President by Dr. John R. Steelman, Chairman of the President's Scientific Research Board. Part II describes the organization for scientific activities of each department and agency of the Federal Government.

Federal organization for scientific activities is complex. In order to encompass in a single volume of reasonable size an account of this organization, it has been necessary to indicate only briefly the nature of the scientific programs of the thirty-eight departments and agencies administering them. The data as presented here are not sufficiently detailed to provide more than a summary picture and do not permit more than limited comparisons to be made among programs. Those interested in obtaining a more complete understanding of the scientific programs of any organizational unit should consult directly with the responsible agency.

The report has been prepared under the direction of Dr. John C. Honey, Study Director for Governmental Research, Office of Special Studies, Dr. J. E. Morton, Head. Staff responsibility for the report has been shared by T. Marl Hemphill and Herbert H. Rosenberg, assisted by Henry M. Bain, Jr., Richard M. Berg, William M. Feldman, J. Wayles Kennedy, and Donald I. Leweck.

Alan T. Waterman
Director