FIGURE 3 Constant-dollar change in annual Department of Defense 6.1 funding (as percentage change from 1993 value).

decreases in DOD 6.1 funding shown in Figure 3). This is broader than the 6.1 funding issue. As noted above, many researchers do not know whether they are funded by 6.1 or by 6.2, and some see an advantage in seeking 6.2 research to attract more substantial funding. University interest in 6.2 should also be welcomed by the DOD and brings many of the same benefits to the DOD as university involvement in 6.1. However, DOD sponsors of 6.2 work are more likely to seek restrictions—such as those on the foreign researcher involvement, the requirement of prepublication review, short time horizons and frequent reporting, and demands for specific findings—that are inconsistent with basic research, and especially with basic research conducted in universities.

University research is also affected by reductions in basic research funding by the states and industry, resulting in more reliance by universities on federal funds. Industry also competes for these funds. A number of the committee’s discussions and interviews described the aggregate effects of this environment. While the committee was unable to compile statistically significant data, it found the described effects to be credible. They include the following: