analytical chemistry Editor: Herbert A. Laitinen EDITORIAL HEADQUARTERS 1155 Sixteenth St., N.W. Washington, D.C. 20036 Phone: 202-872-4570 Teletype: 710-8220151 Managing Editor: Josephine M. Petruzzi Associate Editor: Andrew A. Husovsky Associate Editor, Easton: Elizabeth R. Rufe Assistant Editors: Barbara Cassatt, Nancy J Oddenino, Deborah C. Stewart Production Manager: Leroy L.Corcoran Art Director: John V. Sinnett Designer: Alan Kahan Artist: Diane Reich Advisory Board: Donald H. Anderson, Richard P. Buck, Velmer Fassel, David Firestone, Robert A. Hofstader, Marjorie G. Horning, Philip F. Kane. Barry L. Karger, J. Jack Kirkland, Lynn L. Lewis, Harry B. Mark, Jr., Walter C. McCrone, Harry L. Pardue, Eugene A. Sawicki, w . D. Shults Instrumentation Advisory Panel: Gary D. Christian, Nathan Gochman, Robert W. Hannah, Gary Horlick, Peter J. Kissinger, James N. Little, Sidney L. Phillips, R. K. Skogerboe, Donald E. Smith Contributing Editor: Claude A. Lucchesi Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, Evanston, Ill. 60201 Published by the AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY 1155 16th Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20036 Books and Journals Division Director: D. H. Michael Bowen Editorial: Charles R . Bertsch Magazine and Production: Bacil Guiley Research and Development: Seldon W Terrant
Should NSF Support Industrial Research? A topic for lively debate in political and scientific circles is the suggestion by Senator Edward W. Kennedy that the National Science Foundation should consider basic research proposals from industry on an equal footing with those from academic scientists. I t is easy to formulate a supportive statement on both sides of the debate. On the one hand, it can be argued that research grants from the only government agency without a specific mission should be awarded entirely on the basis of merit, without regard to origin. On the other hand, it can be truthfully asserted that academic research has two objectives, the research itself and the education of scientists through participation in predoctoral and postdoctoral research. The academic establishment has a built-in quality control mechanism, through the tenure system, that is lacking in industry, especially the small independent research laboratory. Apart from idealistic statements of principle, the real debate hinges on the competition for a limited resource. Particularly a t a time when universities are no longer expanding in the traditional directions of graduate research, and when job opportunities in basic research are limited, it is understandable that small establishments would be motivated to undertake basic research under government sponsorship. The fact is that basic research needs facilities, and most universities today are understaffed in relation to their capacities for basic research. It would seem more efficient to increase the postdoctoral population in universities than to provide facilities in numerous smaller private establishments. As for the large industries, the incentive for NSF funding lies not in product-oriented basic research, because of the problem of patent protection, but in public service areas such as pollution abatement which is properly of concern to society as a whole. Before a rational decision can be made, a better-defined basic policy for NSF funding is needed. I t appears that the previous emphasis on research coupled with education needs re-examination, but this does not necessarily imply a wide-scale expansion of basic research support away from the traditional academic base. Probably the best solution is a modest enlargement of the scope of support to cover areas not adequately represented on the academic scene.
Circulation Development: Marion Gurfein Manuscript requirements are published in the April 1977 issue, page 686. Manuscripts for publication (4 copies) should be submitted to ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY at the ACS Washington address. The American Chemical Society and its editors assume no responsibility for the statements and opinions advanced by contributors. Views expressed in the editorials are those of the editors and do not necessarily represent the official position of the American Chemical Society. ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY, VOL. 49, NO. 8, JULY 1977
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