When whales are cast ashore: the conversion to relevancy of American universities and basic science

This article suggests that the conversion of defense to civilian R&D and the movement to make universities and federal laboratories more responsive to industrial needs are threatening the nation´s basic science capabilities. The roles of the federal government, industry, and universities in the support, production and utilization of basic research are analyzed. The article concludes that due to declining federal support for academic research, universities are under pressure to find alternative sources of funding. Industry´s effort to outsource research provides universities with some financial relief. The two trends combine to threaten the university´s function as the main supplier of basic science. The article recommends federal and industrial science policies that increase funding levels of basic research in order to relieve pressures on universities. Emphasis should also be placed on improving mechanisms for commercialization of results from basic research between universities and industry, and within the within the companies themselves