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- 13 - The NRC would carry the sole responsibility for analysis of program data, support- ing studies of several kinds, impact studies, "needs statements", comparisons with a variety of test data, and recommendations. Under certain circumstances outside organizations may be engaged to perform selected tasks. The results would be com- municated to the Secretary in a series of annual reports, to be transmitted to the Congress. The Committee believes that the activities for which NRC has sole and shared responsibility could be carried out with an annual budget initially of about $1 mil- lion (Table 1). The anticipated number of professional staff members required would be 12, and a supporting staff of 15 members would also be needed. me Committee would meet monthly at the start, and the panels at quarterly intervals TABLE 1. Estimate of Initial Annual Costs _ Personal Services Fringe Benefits Consultants Committee & Panel Travel Consultant Travel Staff Travel Communications & Shipping Materials & Services Commissioned Studies Data Processing Indirect Costs $435,000 56,600 12,500 66,ooo 4, 000 10,000 7,200 7,200 100,000 36,ooo 264,400 Total $998,900 Maintenance of administrative records of training awards would be the respon- sibility of NIH/ADAMHA. Extramural performers operating under NIH/ADAMEA or orga- nizations conducting commissioned studies for the NRC would address other needs for data and analysis. VII. RECOMMENDATIONS A. The Committee recommends that the National Academy of Sciences accept the invitation of the Secretary to conduct the continuing study mandated by Title I of the National Research Act. The recommendation is based on the belief: (1) that within the methodologic limitations outlined in this re- port a productive start can be made during the current fiscal year toward meeting the requirements specified in the law; to N + be expected in ~= ~ I-- 1 ~ hi) that improvements can =~4 Logy -GO ga-G~er and utilize needed information as experi- ence is gained over the next several years; and (3) that the National Research Council through the experience of its Commission or Human Resources and its ability to call upon the skills of the scientific community is the most appropriate agency to conduct the continuing study. The recommenda- tion further assumes that sufficient agreement can be reached on the con- ditions for the study as outlined below
- 14 - The continuing study is viewed as a long-term undertaking with major costs that may involve at least three-year obligations. It is the Committee's view, particularly in light of the s~ngle-year authorization contained in the Act, that discussions be conducted with Congressional and Departmental staff regarding a three-year commitment for continued support of the study. C. An appropriate level of effort for an undertaking of the magnitude envi- sioned in this report calls not only for the continuing study by the National Research Council but also for data collection by NIH/ADAMHA and extramural research by other organizations. me Committee believes that an amount up to one percent of the ceiling authorized by law can be justi- fied to support such a level of effort, including a need in the initial year for approximately $1 million to underwrite the National Research Council's continuing study. D. The current legislation contains several provisions with which NIH/ADAMHA has had little or no experience in the administration of training programs. The Committee recommends that the effect of these provisions on the program, notably the need for annual renewal of authorization' payback requirements, and the specification of 25 percent of the appropriation for direct award to individuals, be examined carefully by the committee for the continuing study. An additional point that will merit scrutiny is the 3-year limita- tion on support of any individual, particularly its impact on activities such as the Medical Scientist Training Program and most predoctoral gradu- ate study programs. E. The present report calls attention to limitations in the adequacy of meth- ods for projection of need for biomedical and behavioral research person- nel and for determination of suitable levels of training support. The Com- mittee believes that some of these limitations can be significantly reme- died through further studies and that others can be offset by appropriate administrative measures affecting training programs, measures that are re- sponsive to market forces and conditions. . ~ . ~ . Since future requirements for personnel cannot always be predicted, the Committee recommends experimentation with programs at both the predoctoral and postdoctoral levels that can encourage the post-train~ng movement of biomedical/behavioral scientists into specific research areas as opportuni- ties arise, with due regard for individual desires and aspirations. G. The Committee has noted the National Research Council's current studies of the Nation's population of biomedical and behavioral research personnel and its studies of the number and type of graduate students planning careers as biomedica1 and behavioral scientists. It suggests the additional need to observe trends at the earlier- stages of education as a means of detecting significant fluctuations in the supply of scientific manpower early enough to determine the reasons and permit appropriate policy decisions. *
